Aran Knitting, Expanded Edition

Like all of Starmore's books, this one is invaluable for designing knitwear. Starmore's books are the only knitting books comparable to Elizabeth Zimmerman's books, but the style is very different. I would say EZ's books are written in a casual, chatty style and leads the beginning knitter into understanding the construction of a knitted garment. Starmore's books take that basic knowledge to the next level. The style is not as chatty as EZ's but conveys a friendly, helpful and confident tone. Starmore has done so much of the work in designing the sweaters in this book that you could easily copy them step for step, if you can get the yarn, but more importantly, you can design your own sweaters with any suitable yarn you have available. There is a new preface to the book, and the first chapter deals with the history of Aran knitting. The second chapter describes Aran knitting patterns in general terms, how to read the charts, and goes into specific cables, patterns etc. The third chapter shows Starmore's design approach to the older-style Aran patterns and the fourth chapter has "Celtic" patterns, which are those patterns Starmore has designed based on the Aran style, but with her own twist. Chapter five is the most important chapter in this book. It shows how to design your own Aran sweater, using the body measurements you plug in, the yarn you choose, etc. If you've ever had the experience of knitting a sweater by the pattern and then being frustrated because it doesn't fit, you need to learn to design the sweater to fit before you begin knitting. Like sewing patterns, knitting patterns are designed to fit a particular model, which probably doesn't have the same shape as you. If you are big-busted, very tall, very short, have wide hips, etc., you need to design the sweater for your body and don't just go by a bust size. Starmore does tout her own yarns in her books and I don't blame her at all for it, but... as far as I know, you either have to order the yarn directly from her or substitute something more readily available. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to knit an Aran sweater. It is so much more than a set of patterns. The photographs are beautiful and the only drawback I see to buying the book is that it is made in paperback. Even that is better than the current hardback bindings, though. I take all my fave softbound books to one of the office supply stores and have them remove the binding and insert a spiral binding. This is one of the best knitting books for the money. I actually own a first edition of this book which is hardback, but chose to buy this book again when it was reprinted. Starmore's books retain their value for many years, because the patterns are so classical and beautiful, which is so appropriate, because a well-made and well cared for Aran sweater is going to last for many years, too.

Knitters, as you know, you can’t go wrong with Alice Starmore! Great photos and patterns inspire the knitter plus cable patterns and a historical overview of how the cables of Aran knitting evolved into prominence.

Outstanding Book for Authentic Aran Sweater Knitting! Yes, I did buy her yarns, both in Bainin and her Hebrides 3-Ply. I hate to say this to any naysayers on her yarn, BUT! Her yarns are exquisite! The Hebrides 3-Ply color choices are beautiful. Many actually change overall colors due to ambiant lighting. They hold the cable designs perfectly. I have fallen in love with the yarns and free shipping to US via Royal Mail. I live in Alaska! To get yarns so quickly! I receive the yarns within 2 weeks beautifully wrapped. I am working on two sweaters right now: " Na Craga", her cover sweater in the color she chose- Selkie. The other sweater, knit in Baini yarn color Culmor, a purple, pattern is "St Kilda", from her book, "In the Hebrides" that is also chock full of stunning designs! I have the original hardbound book of Aran Knitting that was released in the 90s. For me, to have an exact sweater made of her outstanding unique yarns from the Hebrides is a priceless feeling. Her yarns are hand dyed and dried outdoors. Her website goes into the process. Waiting for a particular shade that is out of stock IS worth waiting for. It is another reason I find her yarn so precious. This book is a beautiful educational book that shares so much history and technique. Some reviewers have stated she is smug or full of herself. She might be. BUT.....she IS a legend and history will be kind to her with her body of exceptional work in knitting, needlepoint and more. For anyone who doubts buying her yarn....just try it. I showed my husband swatches of her yarns last night. For a man who has seen me knitting for decades and has been blasé about looking at yarns in the past, this time he took time feeling and looking at the choices. In the past with other yarns, he could care less. His reaction last night confirmed my suspicions. To even a novice, her designs and sweaters ARE exceptional. Buy the book. Order some swatches. Watch the magic from your needles. Enjoy!

First, it's gorgeous. Not having an original edition to look at, I can't tell you how many of the pictures are original and how many are new, but the photos are all beautiful. Then, it's informative. There is a great history of Aran knitting here, interestingly told. Not to mention detailed instructions on how to actually knit them, how to do the cables and bobbles and all the other bits that you need to know. And, the patterns? Oh yeah. There are patterns. Gorgeous, cabled, intricate patterns that make me want to knit almost every one of them. Some are downright famous by now. Seriously-do you really need me to be telling you any of this? Of COURSE you want this book. It's one of Alice Starmore's outright masterpieces, reissued at a price that people can actually afford. And, to sweeten the pot? There's even a brand-new sweater pattern. It's a lovely, fitted ladies' cardigan, and is just gorgeous. As I say, I don't have an original copy to compare this to, but according to the copyright page, this edition has a new forward from the author, the new pattern (Eala Bhan), and a couple pages at the back which mention where the photos were taken.

Ah, the original! Commands breath-taking prices on Amazon and other sites. Knitters everywhere cheered when they heard this precious volume would be reprinted. Not just re-printed, republished in a new edition. Many if not most of the sweaters were re-photographed- and once again, the photos are gorgeous. The beginning part on the history of Aran knitting has a retrospective that may, or may not, add to your knitting experience. The one additional project is a decidedly non-Aran cardigan with set-in sleeves and waist shaping. It is lovely and I may make it for myself. That's not to say the book is perfect. What I didn't like about it (why I gave it 4 in place of 5) stars: 1) the new introduction is a bit too smug for me. Not only that, the author lays claim to an anchor cable pattern- and criticizes others for using it. Yet I found the same cable pattern in a much older (predating the first edition of Aran Knitting) stitch dictionary. 2) the format is smaller than the original, so the charts are smaller too. The binding makes me afraid to lay it flat enough to enlarge the charts. The hard-bound book with sewn pages can lie flat enough to scan or photocopy. 3) the most beautiful sweater, the new one, comes in the most limited sizes. The largest size would fit my size 4 daughter. Most knitters will look, sigh, and knit elsewhere. Summary: if you are a knitter, you need this book on your shelf.

This book is an absolute gem for history, technique, patterns and inspiration! The history of Aran knitting is fascinating, the patterns are a knitters dream. I bought this book because I love cable patterns and wanted to learn some background as well as technique. With one simple statement in the first lesson my perspective shifted and I knew these patterns were something I could learn to knit. The statement? In the Step One lesson-"there are only two possible directions in which the stitch, or group of stitches, can be crossed-either to the right or to the left" And cables are just that simple! When that statement sank in I knew this book would help me master the lovely art of Aran knitting! This book is a must for anyone who loves cable knitting or just wants to learn some history of where these wonderful patterns came from and how they have evolved to become the wonderful patterns included in this book!

After drooling over the original Aran Knitting (and moaning over the price) for years, I now have the New and Expanded Edition happily in my clutches! The patterns are absolutely lovely! About forty pages are dedicated to the history of aran knitting, and the next 50 pages to aran designs that acts almost like a stitch dictionary or design workshop, with thorough explanations and stitch manipulation tips and clear diagrams (very important!). The pattern collection follows: fifteen absolutely breathtaking designs. The patterns are by nature somewhat boxy in shape (but a clever knitter could easily add shaping to nip in the waist, if desired) and suitable for men and women, some are designed for children. There are also a pair of wraps. The cables themselves appear are complex, but her workshop really demystifies them and makes them less daunting. The pattern section is followed by a six-page "how-to" section on making your own design. This portion was perhaps a bit brief compared with the other sections, but with all of the sweaters incorporating these techniques, it is more of a tool to help us step back and recognize the details that make an aran sweater just that. My only grump about the book is very minor: the sweaters are all knit in the Alice Starmore yarn collection. I'd prefer to see some variation. All in all, I am still holding the book on my lap and keeping it near my chair to peruse to my hearts content. This is the first book in some time to really make my day. I'm not sure if it will ever make my knitting shelf, as it will likely stay next to my chair. Great job, Alice Starmore! And, thank you very much!

Alice Starmore is a phenomenal designer and this book is an incredible resource for traditional Aran patterns and techniques. I only wish she offered more sizes in the patterns, but it looks like a section on designing your own sweater might provide what I need.