Aran cardigans, while considered "traditional" are only about 100 years old. They developed out of a situation similar to the people on that Korean island, as a way to bring income to the inhabitants of Aran and the west country. So, more of a marketing strategy than a true tradition. You are unlikely to find cable charts within any pattern from the '80s to '90s, but you can learn to create your own charts, using Stitch Fiddle or Stitch Mastery. There are a couple of good reasons for Aran sweaters to be knit bottom up, flat. One is that establishing the cable panels is much easier when you aren't also doing shaping. Knitting them flat means that WS rows are rest rows: you knit your knits and purl your purls. YOu are much less likely to cross a cable on the wrong row than if you are knitting in the round. That said, for a cardigan, you could certainly knit the fronts and back in one piece, eliminating the side seams. You're going to need seams for the shoulders to support the weight of the sweater. Another thing to think about: until the 1960s, button bands were almost exclusively knit in the same direction as the body. The bottom ribbing and button bands were knit at the same time, and then when the switch was made to a larger needle, the button band sts were put on hold. Once the body was finished, you'd return to the held sts and knit the bands, seam them to the body, and then knit across the band, PU sts for the neck, and work the other band, and then work them all together, back and forth. That's how the sweater you're wearing was knit. Perpendicular bands are common today, but that look may or may not be what you're wanting.

Great sweater purchase. I love when there’s a story behind a purchase.

I am a certified Old, and I love the look of cables and set in sleeves, and apparently other things that aren’t particularly current looking. I am a total newbie knitter, but weirdly enough, my first FO was a knee length cardigan with cable edging and collar (knit in pieces), which I made many years ago. I can’t wear it, because I find it too warm now, but I still love how it looks. Also, I love knitting cables. I have a few tips (better phrased as Ask me how I know). First, I know how everyone feels about swatching, but you really need to swatch a sample that includes all the cable variants, *especially* if you’re doing a yarn swap. Next, there are a bunch of ways that you can do cables, and you can use the swatching to try out some different ones. If you’re not in a hurry, then I’d even practise the cable pattern on some yarn in a similar weight that you find easy to work with before you gauge. Last, you’re either going to be someone who likes charts or not, and you’ll figure it out during the run. If you like charts and your pattern doesn’t have one, take the time to make the chart. That’s all I’ve got. :) Thanks so much for the history lesson!

I love hearing your thought processes in considering what you want out of several choices. This is not being picky. The success of cable patterns depends to some extent on good stitch definition so you may not want to add fuzziness with mohair. You want to choose an Aran or worsted weight yarn with a fairly tight twist if you want to achieve something like the lovely sweater you’re wearing. This will all show up in a swatch and you can choose what you like of course. And the button bands and ribbing are frequently done in twisted rib on Aran sweaters…I think yours is.

I have no doubt that you can successfully knit the Aran cardigan you want. You’ve created your own items before. You got this! 😊

The cupcake cardigan. Is a beauty and he is on ravelry.

Kutovakika is coming out with a pattern very similar to your description!:) I'm waiting to knit that one up for sure!

Go with the Thea Coleman pattern. She writes wonderful patterns with the perfect amt. of hand holding. She is also very responsive to any ?'s you might have while knitting. Loved hearing the history of Kor(Aran) knitting history. Can't wait to see what you create. Thanks for giving us another interesting and different podcast. In the dark ages when I was 19 I was over hte moon when my boyfriend went away and sent me a "real" Aran pullover. Then, , , I found out he sent one to my good friend as well!! Fast fwd 49 yrs. I'll knit my own!!

Another hilarious podcast in the books. TBH I didn't really realize how new a knitter you are since you are super adventurous in your pursuits. It's great. Also, you're super selling me on the Cupcake. I didn't know I needed it until today.

❤ loved that you introduces Hallim Fabrics here! Their history with Irish nuns is fascinating. Now they reopened their business with high quality handmade items and knitting packages! I’m also looking forward to getting one package. I wonder how you got it shipped, e-bay 👍

Amazing, your cardigan. Thanks for explain the history of the brand: I can totally understand you had to have it. It also fits you beautifully. 😊❤️🍂

A pattern for you to look at: Old fashioned cardigan. Doorumi Design (revelry). It has a lot of the features you identified.

Hi Jenny. These are my favorite types of your videos. You do amazing research and package the episode nicely. Realizing you're in a pinch with your 'no buy' season,... don't underestimate the treasures at your local library. Take a look at Michael Pearson's Traditional Knitting: Aran, Fair Isle and Fisher Ganseys. I've checked the book out twice without making anything just reading the history. Keep up the great work!

Thea patterns are ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ so easy to follow, so fun to knit.

You should take a look at the classic Patons pattern for the Must Have Cardigan. It's a free pattern and there are over 1000 projects for it on ravelry. I think it might tick all your boxes.

I loved the lil history lesson! Thanks for the Aran cardigan ideas. And congrats on your Etsy find. It's such a joy to snag a handmade garment that's in need of some more loving.

If you have Elizabeth zimmermans knitting without tears book, on page 83 she details a kangaroo type sleeve construction that involves steeking to make a set in sleeve look. It may be worth checking out. I love the pattern!

Love “cupcake “

Thanks for another super fun vid! I admire your ambition to take on a full cabled cardigan. I'm a newer knitter too and probably shouldn't give advise, but here's a couple of thoughts that come to mind. The cardigan with the voluminous sleeves (2nd?) looks super 80s and dated to me. Makes me wonder if you'd really be happy with it in the end. Also, I've always heard that a textured or mohair yarn minimized a textured or cable pattern. Maybe you can consider going up a pattern size to accommodate your yarn. Looking forward to seeing how it all knits up 😊.

Very excited to watch you knit your cabled cardigan! I have only done cables on socks but had planned to knit myself a classic Irish cabled sweater or cardigan. Then I found the most beautiful hand knit cabled cardigan in a thrift store for $12!!! It is for sure wool in the classic natural cream colour and has a (now back in style) polo collar! I get so many compliments every time I wear it. So knitting a complicated cable sweater has been postponed to next winter (2024/2025), haha!

Interesting history lesson, thanks for sharing!

Also - That HH cardigan is gorgeous and the neck band is just perfect.

I enjoy your “going down the rabbit hole” pattern reviews.

Joji Locatelli just came out with a new cabled cardigan called the Granny Cardigan, You might like that one.

Im so happy to see you post again!!!

If you can find or borrow a copy of Alice Starmore’s book Aran Knitting, it has a lot of fascinating history about the style of sweater you are wanting to make. Some day I will make the sweater on the cover; it’s gorgeous.

This was really interesting-thank you! You are a good knitter-you’ll figure it out!😊

Wow Jenny awesome info from Roxanne and you’ll be knitting that cardigan befor you know it! 😃👏🏼🤩

quality content we love to see it!!!!!!!!!!!!

I enjoyed your Korean info. I’m hooked on Korean drama tv. Down a rabbit hole after watching The Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Now I want to visit someday. Enjoy your podcast, always.

I’ve had a similar problem with a single pattern being available only in magazine form for big bucks. Laine Publishing especially has some very nice books, where only one pattern appeals to me. And of course there’s the Rowan Magazines. Companies need to make all their patterns available individually. I like the first cardigan pattern you showed. Love your videos!

I really enjoyed your episode. I have an interest in vintage knitwear and your Korean aran fits nicely into that. I'm part of the "all things vintage" group on Raveley. Currently we have a "FAUX VINTAGE FASHION Fall-Winter KAL/CAL" going. We have to propose a pattern with a tiny bit of research into vintage style to post your verification of why your modern pattern is a vintage style. It is a great opportunity to study the information about vintage eras that is readily available on the internet and increase your knowledge of what counts as vintage. Your video made me think about proposing an aran knit for the KAL. I already got a project going but it's not going to take too long to finish. Then I could do a second one for the KAL.

I'd say go with the Thea Colman/Baby Cocktails pattern too. For all the reasons you said and also that there's a vibrant Ravelry community for Thea's patterns *and* she's still here to be asked if you really get stuck. I've knitted her patterns before (nothing terribly complex though) and can attest that they're detailed and helpful.

That cardigan is so pretty! Loved the history lesson, it added an interesting fact abt the origin of the garment✨. Personally i've been thinking abt knitting the knives out sweater but that amount of cables will take a while😅

That Halim cardi is beautiful!!

Good luck with this! Excellent advice from Roxanne Richardson! Another pattern you might like is the ‘Amanda’ cardigan by Lene Holme Samsoe - Karen Templer wrote several blog posts regarding aran patterns she liked and I think she might have done a knitalong for this one? Though it is a raglan. Also, agree that Alice Starmore Aran patterns are worth a look and there’s a book which is probably out of print called ‘A Fine Fleece’ by Lisa Lloyd and the Town and Country cardigan in there is relatively close to what you’re searching for - I love knitting cables and am now yearning to knit them!

I immediately went to eBay to look for Hallim Handweavers sweaters and might have to get one now! The pullovers are really nice but you really scored with the cardigan. I’m super jelly!

Gosh, I knit a couple of Aran cardigans very similar to yours, with all your criteria. But over 30 years ago 😞 I'll see if I can find the pattern...somewhere. Oh, and "honeycomb"

Oh my word. I love Cupcake! I had to stop watching and go look thru my Rowan magazines. I have 61 !!!! Daaaaang : ) Just a thought ........could you ask in the revelry projects if someone is in your state and perhaps willing to sell their copy. For cheap ??

Cupcake is the winner for me. I have added it to my own list of favourites 😊 Also, check out honeycomb aran by Gayle Bunn

I would recommend going to your local library and looking at some scandinavian knitting books, they usually have loads of patterns, history of how they were originally worn and used as well as some lovely stranded knitting ideas :)

I`m craving for a cabled cardigan as well :) so your video came like ordered to me. I like the Plaits & Links the most. The loose neckline from the last one is not as easy fixable in my opinion the cable starts too late, if you know what I mean. Your Cardigan from Korea is very beautiful! I like the Irish cable pattern more than the Bavarian ones we have here. Thank you for sharing from Germany

I agree with all the points you've made - the arm size on the classic Aran would need reducing but that could look good - the one project does look nice. Plaits and links has way too fussy finishing's and the fabric looks too stiff if I was doing that I would also have go up at least a needle size then redo all the sizing's and it would just be too much. I personally like the Peated Whiskey and the Cupcake best. I like the way both designs work into the ribbing and if you look at the projects the neckline for the Peated whiskey does look higher than the original sample but it does look more Celtic than the traditional Aran you are going for. If it was me I would justify the cost of the book for the amount of time it will take to do this and how many years wear you could get out of it. I hope my musings help!

Beautiful piece of history you have ❤ i do love cables but they are tiresome to knit lol

If you soak your cardigan with 1/4 of a cup of vinegar it will get less prickly.

Could you take our Alice Starmore’s book from the library? ✌️ 🌸

Now I am in love with the romance patterns. But 30 dollars is a lot😢