Cable knit / Aran

Cable stitches or Aran cables are formed by transferring groups of stitches to a cable needle held in front of or behind the work. This produces sculptural, braided reliefs that run along the needle direction. Classic cables are 2×2, 3×3 or 4×4 stitches wide; complex patterns combine cables with moss-stitch panels, diamond motifs or honeycomb stitches.

Aran jumpers from the western Irish Aran Islands are the iconic expression — traditionally in natural, undyed sheep wool, with a stand collar and several parallel cable panels. Base material is usually undyed wool (Aran wool at about 400 g/kg), merino or cotton in chunky construction (5-7 gauge). Weights 500-750 g/m².

Contrary to common belief, Aran knitting is not millennia old but demonstrably arose in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Well-known brands: Aran Sweater Market, Inis Meáin, Blarney Woollen Mills. Care: wool cycle 30 °C, dry flat, preserve the residual lanolin finish of natural wool.