Aran Gansey for John

Styled on the traditional Fisherman’s Gansey, this cosy pullover is knitted in the round from the bottom up with only one tiny bit of sewing, and decorated with authentic knit and purl patterns on the yoke. The Sleeves are picked up and knit downwards, and an underarm gusset ensures freedom of movement and a good fit. I have modified the construction a little. Firstly, I have used aran weight Donegal yarn. This knits up much faster than the “traditional” 5-ply, and most of us are not using our sweaters without a coat these days if it is foul weather! Secondly, I have modified the neckline into a crew neck, dropping the front neck slightly to avoid a “bumfle” below the front neck. The knit and purl patterns I have used are the Tree of Life in the centre front and back, Marriage Lines to either side of this, indicating the tos and fros of married life, and a diamond shape. Larger sizes repeat the marriage lines and diamond motifs. Charts and written instructions are given for the patterns. **Finished measurements (after blocking)** Finished bust/chest circumference 80\[89.5, 99, 108, 117.5] {127, 136.5, 146, 155.5} cm 31.5\[35.25, 39, 42.5, 46.25] {50, 53.75, 57.5, 61.25} inches excluding gusset. The garment is designed to be worn with a small amount of positive ease. Choose the size immediately above the wearer’s chest size. The photo shows size 4 (L) worn with about 6.5 cm/2.5 inches of positive ease. **Yarn** Folklore Yarns Traditions Donegal Tweed, 100% pure new wool, 80 metres/87.5 yards per 50g, available from [folkloreyarns.com][1]. This is a single ply Aran weight woollen spun yarn with nepps. It is on the heavier end of aran. The sample garment is knitted in colourway 4585 Buncrana. Yarn is sold in multiples of 50g measured and balled off the cone, or in 20g mini skeins. You will need 11\[12, 14, 15, 17] {18, 20, 21,22} units of 50g, or 550\[600, 700, 750, 850] {900, 1000, 1050, 1100} grams of yarn. And in metres and yards: 845\[956, 1067, 1183, 1292] {1415, 1526, 1628, 1744} metres/925\[1046, 1167, 1294, 1413] {1548, 1669, 1781, 1908} yards. These quantities include an extra 10% to allow for swatching and slight differences in gauge. I chose this yarn because I like it, although the nepps do mean that the knit and purl patterns are slightly less well defined than with a plain yarn. For substitutions, choose a yarn with good stitch definition and a round profile. Solid colours will show off the patterns best, and heathered colours will also be fine. I would recommend avoiding yarns with lumps or variegated colours as the knit and purl motifs will be lost. [1]: https://folkloreyarns.com/