About Aran Knitting and Stitches

Really getting into creating the beautiful heavily textured Aran knitting stitches. There is nothing like making a knit stitch with your own two hands, especially ones rich in culture and meaning!

Here is some amazing info I found about aran knitting.

Aran sweater designs are rich in symbolism. Some examples follow:

• Cable stitches represent fishing ropes.

• The plaited cable stitch evokes the powerful imagery of the interweaving of family life.

• Moss stitches represent the rich and abundant growth of the mossy soil.

• Diamond stitches signify the shape of the fishing net mesh, a symbol of wealth and success.

• Honeycomb stitches represent the rewards of a good life.

• Trinity stitches represent ancient and religious beliefs.

• Blackberry stitches have religious and natural connotations.

Stitches such as lobster claw, spoon and basket are symbolic of the way of life of the knitters.

Here are some great free aran knitting patterns

Aran Free Chart

Free chart for knitting aran design.

Cables Bobbles Leaves

As the title says a pretty pattern incorporating cables, bobbles and leaves.

Four Pretty YO Patterns

More great knitting pattern charts for free.

Eyelit Cables Patterns

A cool free pattern with charts.

Noro Log Cabin Throw

I used four different colourways of Noro Taiyo (a gorgeous blend of cotton and silk) to create this soft and colourful log cabin throw. I used size 5.5mm circular needles.

So many different colours blending in together.

I am quite happy with the result! I have been working on this one on and off in between projects for a few months now and it is finally finished (also I ran out of wool).

Teddy Cushion

I made a teddy bear cushion for my sons wicker chair using the pattern for a washcloth by by Elaine Fitzpatrick from Down Cloverlane.



Here is the pattern for the teddy washcloth. I basically created two of these, I made it a bit longer and added some white colour work up the top for interest. then sewed them together with stuffing in the middle and hey presto! a tiny cute teddy cushion.

Knitting Food, Flowers and Cupcakes

I have been busy of late knitting up these wonderful little treats.

Tomato knitting pattern comes from Amigurumi Knits by Hansi Singh:


Cucumber pattern is also from Amigurumi Knits by Hansi Singh:


The carrot is a free pattern from Jimmy Beans Wool:

The watermelon pattern is free from Hall's 7th Heaven:

The cupcake is a pattern from BeeKnits:

And lastly the cute little flower comes from Saartje Knits.


This site: Knitting-Bee is great for looking up free knitting patterns like Aamigurumi knits and knitted foods.

Mohair Crochet Afghan

Here is an afghan that I made many years ago in my early 20's. It is made out of various different mohair yarns and a pure wool. It is a much loved item in my home especially when the winter months hit!

Knitting - Left and Right Twists

Here is a great video from Rox who is a featured writer on Ravelry about how to make Left Twists (LT) and Right Twists (RT) when knitting. I figured this one out ages ago using books but I wish I had this video as the technique used here is way more efficient.

Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan

Another improvised baby cardigan using garter stitch.

I like the contrast of the light green and creamy white with the red buttons, reminds me of apples for some reason.

I like to crochet the finishing touches and did so here with the borders where the buttons are.


I used Cleckheaton Baby Cocoon 4 ply in green and creamy white. It is 70% merino wool and 30% nylon and is incredibly soft.

Blue Baby Cardigan

My first finished baby cardigan for my son due in May.



I used 100% baby wool by Heirloom and followed dimensions taught to me by my aunt who is an awesome knitter especially of gorgeous baby things.

This is a very quick knit. Finished it in my spare time within two days. The size is for a newborn baby which is great as in Australia May is when it starts to get cooler.

Knitting Awesomeness

This video is a great project by a woman named Rachel John who demonstrates literally how knitting is not just a craft but a beautiful art form.

New Blanket For Iggy

I am currently knitting a blanket for my two year old soon using a great multi colour mohair I picked up at Lincraft in Alexandria, they had an entire batch of amazing European yarns that they were trying to get rid off for $5 for a 100gm ball, not bad at all. The mohair was quite nice quality and colours. The angora they had available was a little rough for me and despite the low cost I desisted buying it. I did walk out with the beautiful multi color mohair and some standard superwash 100% wool in green and blue.

I am making a sample blanket as I am excited to try many of the patterns from my Treasury of Knitting Pattern books by Barbara G.Walker. So far I have used the Cocoon stitch and the Embossed leaf pattern, they are turning out quite nice.

Today I went to Penrith to visit The Wool Inn. What a great store! The staff are super friendly and very helpful. The resources available are amazing, so many different colours and textures. I opted for a hand dyed blue pure New Zealand wool. Hopefully it will compliment the other colours in the blanket.

In the end all that matters is that this little boy likes it!

Amazon Books Came!

A whole heap of knitting books I ordered on Amazon finally came in yesterday, It took a month to come in but I am so psyched. i am slowly going through them now, I got one about working with different colours and two from the Treasury of Knitting series. I can't wait to do something with them!

Felting Madness

I have been felting recycled jumpers like a mad person. My hobby has gone from recycling sweaters for yarn to felting whatever I can get my hands on. I now have this awesome stack of beautiful felted pieces and I am trying to figure out what to do with them.

I am really a knitter and crocheter. I have never really tried my hand at sewing but I am starting to feel more and more inclined to do so as I am wanting to see some projects that progress faster. Also my house is starting to be overrun my knitted pieces quite fast and I just want to create something new! with my felted sweaters!!

So I had an idea about making this Mini Bowling Bag designed by Qazicat on craftster:


And a felted version here, by Lori from Yes I Made That:


The tutorial for this is found here: Mini Bowling Bag Tutorial

I will add this to the list of potential projects to get around to when I have the basics of sewing down and when I get the time! and no, I don't do bowling but the bag is just so awesome!

Thrift Store Finds

Today I went to the local Salvos (thrift store) and walked out with 4 awesome sweaters to recycle into something new.



The first one was a real find for $3, pure silk with metallic, it is golden and luxurious to the touch, I am really happy with that! The others are wool and the pattern ones I am in the process of felting. I am thinking patchwork quilt or toys or even a felted bag. Oh I am also a hoarder and I just love bringing junk back to my nest which is probably why recycling jumpers is such and awesome an well suited pass time for me.

Knitted Patchwork Quilt

I have been working on this knitted patchwork quilt on and off for about a year and a half now and I have finally decided that it's finished!



I am quite happy with it. I may need to iron out some of the edges as it is curling a bit. This was my in between projects project.



And for once my two year old son said "like it" and "nice" about one of my knitted projects as opposed to "no like it" or "no want it" ...yay! now its going on your bed baby boy lol!

Starting New Knitting Projects

I love starting new projects, browsing through patterns and thinking about the potential of it all. So two new projects underway, i can't resist casting on.

First: Teapot Cosy



This pattern by Melanie Bond is called Tuileries Breakfast Set from the magazine The Knitter, issue 5.

Second: Vintage Lace Sweater

Using 1 ply recycled Merino Wool. I am not too fond of the colour.


I am using the Feather and Fan stitch for the main body part but I am having very strong feelings of scraping this last project. We will see...I will leave it for awhile and see how it grabs me later.

Rubi + Lana Closed

Today I went on a mission to get some wonderful lace weight yarn for a gorgeous 1940's lace top pattern that calls for something exquisite and refined. I read rave reviews on the web about this yarn shop Rubi + Lana in Gordon. So with my mother and toddler in tow, I packed them all into the car and off we went down the yellow brick road (Pacific HWY) to buy the yarn of my dreams.

Sadly when I got there to my shock and horror was OPSM...shop 21...I checked the address again and yes there it was row upon rows of spectacles in the place of my beloved hanks of yarn. I asked people as they walked past if they had any idea where this shop was, what happened to it? did they move? most had no clue, another lovely lady informed me that when they closed last year they left no forwarding address, so it was not to be.

Yesterday I hit Championship textiles in Newtown, my local. It is an unfortunate fact that I can never find anything that really grabs me there. I don't know if it is because everything is strewn around willy nilly with no love, care or thought or that when I do finally find something there is only one ball left. Maybe I should just heed the advice of the shop assistant there and buy online. It's just that online I have to wait for my order to arrive AND I don't get to feel the texture, it is just surprise here is what you just paid for and if you no like it too bad.