Aran
Heavier than worsted, lighter than bulky — Aran weight is the canonical yarn for cabled fishermen's sweaters from the Aran Islands of Ireland.
Typical gauge & needles
| CYC number | 4 |
| UK / Australian name | Aran / 10-ply |
| Wraps per inch | 8 |
| Stitch gauge (per 4 in) | 16–18 |
| Row gauge (per 4 in) | 20–24 |
| Recommended needle (metric) | 5–6 mm |
| Recommended needle (US) | US 8–10 |
| Yardage per 50 g | 85–100 yds |
Best uses
- Traditional Aran sweaters
- Heavy cabled hats
- Throws
- Outerwear cardigans
About this weight
The traditional Aran sweater is a 16–18 sts / 4 in fabric crowded with cables, bobbles, and travelling stitches. The yarn was originally undyed báinín (cream-coloured) Galway wool, slightly oily so the sweater shed water on a fishing boat. A modern Aran-weight pattern will use 1500–2000 metres for an adult sweater — a substantial project.
Traditional Aran yarn is undyed cream wool from Galway sheep. Modern Aran can be any fibre at the same weight.
Swatching at this weight
An Aran cabled panel needs a 6-inch swatch including at least one full repeat of every cable in the pattern.
Swatch every cable panel separately; cables of different sizes consume horizontal stitches at different rates.
Stitch patterns that wear well in Aran
The stitches below were curated as flattering at this weight; you can also browse all 480 charted stitches.
Substituting yarn weights
Aran is heavier than US worsted by 1–2 wraps per inch. Substitute a heavy worsted or hold two DK strands together. Read the full yarn weight conversion reference before swapping any yarn.