One of Meduseld’s most frequently viewed blog posts is the Aran Crocheted Men’s Sweater.  The sweater is described, including the Romney wool used, but no patterns were included.

The sweater was actually not difficult, and can be adapted to any size or neck line.  What I’d like to do is provide the patterns for the components that make up the sweater, leaving the final design and size up to individual adaptation.  There are only three different stitch patterns in this sweater, making it easy and versatile.

Starting the swatch, we’ll begin with the cuff portion or hem.  In knitting this would be done with a knit, purl, knit, purl or even knit 2 purl 2.  In crochet there is an excellent way to simulate this but the direction of the construction is turned, so it is created in short rows up and down instead of across.

For the  “ribbing” chain 13 stitches.  Skip the first stitch and sc in the next 12 stitches.  Turn.  Chain one (counts as first stitch), and sc in the back loop of the next 11 stitches. Turn and repeat for the width of cuff or of the sweater section. 

For the swatch, I created 24 rows.  Turn the section so that the side edge is up.  The next section will be crocheted along this edge.  Chain one (counts as first stitch) and sc in the next 23 row ends, so that you have 24 stitches.  Turn.

Now we are going to start the cable pattern.  It is straightforward and all the “cables’ occur on front side rows, making this very easy.

FRONT SIDE – Chain 3 (this counts as first stitch)  DC in the next three sc.  Skip two sc, tr in next two sc, tr around front post of both skipped stitches.   *dc in next four sc, skip two sc, tr in next 2 sc, tr around front post of both skipped sc.  Repeat from * to end of row.  Turn.

BACK SIDE – Chain 3 (counts as first stitch) and dc in all spaces (24 stitches)

If you repeat this several rows you will see the cable pattern developing.

To start the cable chain pattern, start on the back side.  On the swatch we are making this means working in the back of a cable. 

ROW 1 – BACK SIDE –  Chain 3 (counts as frist stitch) dc in next tr.  skip 2 tr.  tr in next 2 dc.  tr around back post of two skipped tr.   Skip 2 tr.  tr in next two tr.  tr around front post of 2 skipped dc.  *Skip 2 tr.  tr in next two dc.  tr around back post of skipped tr.  Skip 2 dc.  tr in next 2 tr.  tr around front post of 2 skipped dc.  repeat from * to end of row, dc in last two stitches.  Turn.

ROW 2 – FRONT SIDE – Chain 3, dc in next dc.  tr front post of next 2 tr.  *dc in next 4 tr.  Skip 2 tr.  tr around front post of  next 2 tr.  tr around front post of 2 skipped tr.  Repeat from *  Turn.

ROW 3 – BACK SIDE – Chain 3, dc in next 3 dc.  *Back post dc in next 4 tr. dc in next 4 dc. Repeat from * Turn.

ROW 4 – FRONT SIDE – Chain 3, dc in next dc.  tr front post of next 2 tr.  *dc in next 4 tr.  Skip 2 tr.  tr around front post of  next 2 tr.  tr around front post of 2 skipped tr.  Repeat from *  Turn.

ROW 5 – BACK SIDE – Chain 3, dc in next dc.  Skip 2 dc.  tr in back post of next 2 tr.  tr around front post of 2 skipped tr.  *Skip 2 tr.  tr in next 2 dc.  tr around back post of 2 skipped tr.  Skip 2 dc.  tr around back post of next 2 tr.  tr around front post of 2 skipped dc.  Repeat from * dc in last 2 dc. Turn.

ROW 6 – FRONT SIDE – Chain 3. dc in the next three dc.  Skip two tr, tr in next two tr, tr around front post of both skipped stitches.   *dc in next four tr, skip two tr, tr in next 2 tr, tr around front post of both skipped tr.  Repeat from * to end of row.  Turn.

Repeat Rows 1- 6 for the length you require.

Because the right side is the edge, the cable is going to travel straight up, which is what you see in the swatch below.

Additional tips: 

• For the sweater made in my example, I made it with a button front V-neck.  I had to pay close attention to making the two fronts mirror  each other, so watch for this. 
• I used 6 rows of single crochet for the band around the front and neck, and placed the button holes in the third row of this band by skipping 3 sc, chain 3, and resume sc.  That will depend, of course, on the size of your buttons.
• I also wound the cables up along the V-neck, so I reduced stitches four stitches in instead of at the edge. 

I will provide stitch diagrams when I can create the symbols on desktop publishing.  More soon. 

 If you have any questions, please email me and I will do my best to answer.

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