This Fiery Irish Heroine Cropped Aran Sweater pattern is a study in costuming/cosplay though the ages. When I first knitted up this sweater it was over 30 years ago. Back then, we had no internet nor DVDs. TVs were far less than HD, and VHS (Beta had already bit the dust) was a but blurry facsimile of a poor original offering, as compared to current standards. In short, there was no easy source for researching costumes.

Now, in the time of internet and hi-res TV, I can see details that were not visible on my first go at the pattern, so I have made some alterations to the sweater I knit up all those decades ago. The collar now has a picot edge to it, and there is a 1x1 rib at the side that I had previously just knit in with the sleeves, so it was perpendicular to the usual rib orientation. All these corrections are brought to you by the magic of high res TV and an abundance of photos on the internet.

This a such a fun sweater, suitable for cosplay, “bounding,” or simply layering in your regular clothes. There are options for a sportier cropped sweater and a full length options. It’s a fast knit. Knock out the cropped versions in 26-40 hours, the full length in 40-60.

Fit Notes: The Cropped inspiration sweater has about 4 inches negative ease. My original had about 6 inches positive ease, and it was fine. The sporty cropped (with rib all around the bottom edge) is better with about 4 inches of positive ease. The full length is also good at 4 inches of positive ease, but you can go as larger. Pick your size and ease based on what fit suits you.

Materials: Natur Uld bulky yarn or similar
Needle size 6mm/10 US/4UK straights
Needle size 4.5mm/7US/7UK 30” circular
Needle 4.5mm/7US/7UK straights for the cuffs, or use the 4.5mm/7US/7UK 30”circular Stitch markers
3 or 4 stitch holders or waste yarn
Tapestry needle for sewing and weaving ends
Transparent elastic for collar and under bust for the cropped version without bottom ribbing. Strapless bra, of you wish to replicate the curved shape at the front hem for the cropped version without bottom ribbing.

Gauge: 6mm/10 US/4UK needles
Natur Uld yarn blooms wonderfully. It grows and softens up quite a bit, as illustrated by these gauge measurements.
2 inches stockinette = 8 stitches UNBLOCKED, but 6.5 stitches BLOCKED

The Yarn
Natur Uld bulky yarn, as labelled Needle size 6mm/10 US/4UK 100% virgin wool
100 g (3.5 oz)
100 m/109 yds
14 stitches to 10 cm/4”

For this project:
6mm/10 US/4UK needles for the body
4.5mm/7US/7UK needles for the ribbing (or use the circular needles below)
4.5mm/7US/7UK 30” circular needles for the collar
Cropped Versions: Small/Med 6 skeins, L/XL 7 skeins, XXL/XXXL 11 skeins, XXXXL 15 skeins Full length version: Small/Med 10 skeins, L/XL 11 skeins, XXL/XXXL 16 skeins, XXXXL 19 skeins

About the Sizes
Generally I break out my size ranges into two groups, so that proportions will be human-correct throughout the size ranges. Necklines, armholes and panel proportions are adjusted in each size range. In this case, the cable panels are adjusted so that they remain in proportion to the body of the garment.

The Measurements
CF and CB measurements are without rib. Long version is with rib.

Small
Bust 32.5”
Under bust 32
Center front 9”
Center back 11.5”
Center back long version 22” Upper arm 14”
Sleeve length from shoulder 26”

Large
Bust 37.5”
Under bust 37
Center front 9”
Center back 11.5”
Center back long version 22” Upper arm 17.5”
Sleeve length from shoulder 28”

XXL
Bust 52.5”
Under bust 52”
Center front 9.5”
Center back 12.5”
Center back long version 23” Upper arm 24”
Sleeve length from shoulder 29”

XXXXL
Bust 67”
Under bust 66.5”
Center front 9.5”
Center back 12.5”
Center back long version 23” Upper arm 28”
Sleeve length from shoulder 31”

Medium
Bust 34.5 “
Under bust 34”
Center front 9”
Center back 11.5”
Center back long version 22” Upper arm 16’
Sleeve length from shoulder 27”

XL
Bust 44’
Under bust 43.5”
Center front 9”
Center back 11.5”
Center back long version 22.5” Upper arm 19’
Sleeve length from shoulder 29”

XXXL
Bust 58.5”
Under bust 57.5”
Center front 9.5”
Center back 12.5”
Center back long version Center back 23” Upper arm 25.5.
Sleeve length from shoulder 30”