Aran sweater pattern

The double diamond pattern on the left is the center motif. To the right of that are: single cable, wishbone cable, single cable, nine-stranded plait, single cable, lobster claw, and trinity stitch. All but the nine-stranded plait are from "Traditional Aran Knitting" by Shelagh Hollingworth. I invented the nine-stranded plait myself, though this doesn't mean nobody else has ever made it before. It was straightforward, inspired by the braided rope mats on the schooner J. & E. Riggin, on which I was a passenger for a knitting cruise.

Nine-stranded plait

The pattern includes the two single cables on either side.

Abbreviations:

k. = knit.

p. = purl.

t.b.l. = through back of loop.

C.4B. = cable 4 back: slip two stitches to back on cable needle, k.2, then k.2 from cable needle.

29 stitches.

1st row: (right side) K.4, p.2, (k.1 t.b.l., p.1) 8 times, k.1 t.b.l., p.2, k.4.

2nd row and foll. alt. rows: P.4, k.2, (p.1 t.b.l., k.1) 8 times, p.1 t.b.l., k.2, p.4.

3rd row: C.4B., p.2, (k.1 t.b.l., p.1) 8 times, k.1 t.b.l., p.2, C.4B.

5th row: K.4, p.2, slip next 6 st. to back on cable needle, (k.1 t.b.l., p.1) twice, k.1. t.b.l., then slip the leftmost p. st. back on to left hand needle and p. it, then (k.1 t.b.l., p.1, k.1 t.b.l., p.1, k.1 t.b.l.) from cable needle, (p.1, k.1 t.b.l.) three times, p.2, k.4.

7th row: As 3rd row.

9th row: As 1st row.

11th row: C.4B, p.2, (k.1 t.b.l., p.1) 3 times, slip next 6 st. to front on cable needle, (k.1 t.b.l., p.1) twice, k.1 t.b.l., then slip the leftmost p. st. back on to left hand needle and p. it, then (k.1 t.b.l., p.1, k.1 t.b.l., p.1, k.1 t.b.l) from cable needle, p.2, C.4B.