This blog post is designed as a useful resource for inspiration for a specific yarn. There are projects that use it, and patterns that call for it. It's so handy to have all this in one place!
Just FYI - there are no links to Ravelry here. We've linked to patterns and projects that are available to purchase/view elsewhere. If they're only available on Ravelry we will say that, but not link to it.
This gorgeous superwash wool has quickly become a favourite - it's super-soft, a bit woolly, and silky. Bowland Aran is ideal for such a wide range of cosy knitting/crochet projects - being machine washable plus next-to-skin soft means it's perfect for babies and adults alike. It does grow when you wash and block it, and has a gorgeous silky drape.
The first part of this blog post will give you patterns that specifically call for Bowland Aran and the second part shows you our projects using this yarn. Do you have a project in Bowland Aran that you would like us to include? Email us at info@edencottageyarns.co.uk with an image and the pattern information and we will add it. This page will grow over time as more designs are released and more projects finished!
Patterns
For most of the designs released since 2018 you can find links to social media for the designers and publications on the Design Collaboration page HERE.
Dairsie Aran Cardigan by Little Theorem - Cedar
Knit from the top down, the neckline is worked in four panels and then joined to knit the body. The pattern includes instructions for two sleeve widths and also instructions for adjusting the sizing for inbetween sizes. There are four sizes in the pattern with chest circumferences from 83 - 150 cm / 33 - 60” requiring 500 - 1430m / 550 - 1555 yds of aran weight yarn.
Rambling Rose Hat and Mitts by Sophie McKane – Rambling Rose
A matching accessory set using travelling twisted ribs. The stretchy design will accommodate a range of different sizes. The mitts are written in three sizes, all 19.5cm (7.5”) long and ranging from 11.5 -14.5cm (4.5 - 5.5”) circumference. The hat pattern is written for two sizes; child and adult. The child size is 14 cm (5.5”) height; 31 cm (12”) circumference. The adult size is 20.5cm (8”) height; 42cm (16.5”) circumference. You wil need one skein of yarn to make either the hat or the mitts, but a second skein is needed to make both.
Woodbine by Fiona Alice - Oak and Bark with Eldwick Lace in Bark
Worked in sections, the front and back lace panels are knit first and joined at the shoulders. The body stitches are picked up along the lace panel edges and knit sideways. Sleeves are then worked in the round. Woodbine was originally published in Issue 9 of Laine Magazine, Autumn/Winter 2019 and is inspired by timber cabins and forests covered in a blanket of heavy snow.
The pattern is written in seven sizes and is intended to be worn with 6–8” / 15–20.5 cm of positive ease. Read more about this design in our blog post HERE. You will need two colours of aran weight yarn in the following quantities: Colour A - approx. 378 - 867 yds / 346 - 793 m of aran weight yarn; Colour B - approx. 294 - 677 yds / 269 - 619 m of aran weight yarn; Colour C - approx. 673 - 1544 yds / 615 - 1412 m of lace weight silk mohair yarn.
Hendricks by Thea Colman - Cedar or Dale
A lovely cosy hat featuring an all over cable cross patter, worked from the brim up. The pattern is written in three sizes: 18.25 - 22”/ 46.25 - 56cm circumference unstretched and 8.25 - 8.75”/ 21 - 22.25cm deep. You will need one skein for the two smallest sizes and two skeins for the largest size.
Cat Knits by Marna Gilligan - Big Cats Chapter
We can't talk about Bowland Aran without a big mention for our collaboration with Marna of An Caitin Beag for her Cat Knits book. Each chapter used a different yarn weight and so all four designs in the Big Cats chapter used Bowland Aran in Bark, Echinops, Rambling Rose and Charcoal. For more information about these designs have a look at our blog post HERE. These patterns all use intarsia to create the Marna's signature cat motif.
Creepy Catty Capelet
A fun capelet which is a fun way to get to grips with intarsia. Written in three sizes, you will need 2-3 skeins of the main colour, 1-2 skeins of the contrast colours and one skein of Charcoal for the cats eyes.
Peeky Pompom Cat Hat
A lovely quick introduction to intarsia. For this design you need one skein each of Echinops, Bark and Rambling Rose plus a 10g Charcoal Yarnling™ (available HERE)! The pattern has two size options, small and medium, to fit head circumference 47-53cm / 18½ -21in and 54-60cm / 21¼ - 23¾in respectively. The hat is designed to be worn with at least 2.5cm / 1in stretch at the brim.
Flippy Kitten Mittens
Fun mittens featuring cat details on the mitts and the optional flip tops. The pattern has two size options, small and medium, to fit palm circumference 18-20cm / 7-8in and 21-23cm / 8¼ - 9in respectively. These require a single skein of each main colour and a Charcoal yarnling although you may find you have enough for both the mitts and the hat from a single yarnling.
Big Cat Cardigan
This large cardigan will need a lot of concentration and has many ends to weave in. The simple detailing around the lower part of the cardigan includes cats of different personalities with the pattern including charts for each size option. The pattern is written in five sizes to fit busts 80 - 160cm / 31½ - 63 inches to be worn with 10-30cm (4-12 inches) positive ease depending on how loose you'd like the fit. You will need 6-10 skeins of the main colour, 2-3 skeins of the contrast colours and 1 skein of Charcoal for the eyes.
Little Leaf Cable Cowl by Emma Vining - Charcoal
Inspired by The Leaf Cable Cowl which used Keswick Aran when it was initially designed for Knitting Issue 226. Keswick Aran was subsequently discontinued and so when Emma came to self publish the pattern she tested the Little Leaf Cable Cowl using Bowland Aran. The pattern calls for a single skein and uses cables and texture to give the leaf design. The cowl is fastened with 3 buttons.
Munchkin Pumpkins by Victoria Magnus - various
A fun quick project to make knitted pumpkins. Made at a tight gauge so that the stuffing doesn't show through the stitches. Each pumpkin uses approximately 12g of aran yarn.
Zigzag lace beanie by Hanna Gough - Steel
A simple hat pattern with just a hint of lace detail. One skein will be enough for all three sizes in the pattern to fit adult head circumferences of 56-60cm (22-24 inches).
Projects
Hendricks by Thea Colman - Tarn
See above for link and details
Lambing Mitts by Veronika Jobe - Dale
The pattern is written in three sizes for palm circumferences of 6-8in. You will need between 115 and 150 yards of yarn for these wonderfully cosy and practical mitts.
Morii by Lete's Knits - Wild Raspberry
A combination of simple knit/purl stitches with added bobbles. The pattern is one size, stretching to fit 54-56 cm/21-22” head circumference. The length from brim to top is about 20 cm/8” for the beanie style or about 25 cm/10”. You will need approximately 200 yds/183m of yarn.
Upstate Scarf by Toni Lipsey - Natural, Falling Leaves, Compost and Charcoal
A Tunisian crochet scarf combining colourwork with different stitch types to give a striking finish. The scarf uses four skeins - one skein of each colour.
Gatekeeper Cowl by Estelle Hughes - Oak
A single skein cowl which is a lovely quick knit using 2 x 2 rib and a simple lace pattern. I (Victoria) have made at least four of these!
Simple Tunisian Crochet Ear Warmer by Toni Lipsey - A Murder of Crows
This pattern is available as a tutorial on YouTube and is a great introduction to Tunisian crochet. You will need approximately 80yds of worsted/aran weight yarn.
The Weekender by Andrea Mowry - Tarn
A drop shoulder sweater combining texture, faux seams and some positive ease. Written in seven sizes to fit chest sizes 30 - 54”/76 - 137 cm with approximately 10”/25.5cm of positive ease. You will need between 915 and 1640 yds. I cannot recommend this combo of yarn/pattern enough - this jumper was made a few years ago now and it's an absolute favourite. It's really practical and warm.
Castlelaw hat by Clare Devine - Thicket
Worked from the brim up featuring a simple twisted stitch cable and eyelets, this hat can be made using a single skein. The pattern is written for three sizes to fit head circumference 45-60cm / 18-24in. The finished unstretched hat circumference is 38-51cm / 15-20in and the finished length from brim to crown is 19-22cm / 7-8.75in but is easily adjustable. This pattern is only available on Ravelry.
Gansey Headband by Alison Casserly - Tarn
A headband inspired by Gansey sweaters and secured with a button on the back. The pattern is written and charted and will fit a medium head of 19-20" but is easily adjustable. You will need ~50g yarn. The pattern is only available on Ravelry.
I hope you've found this blog post useful and inspiring, and if you have anything to add please do let us know on the email address at the top. We love to see your makes!