Why I cannot keep aran in its proper place on the wool-weight spectrum will perhaps remain a mystery for the ages.
It has something to do, I think, with the fact that, in my mind, I associate “aran” with a traditional sweater, one of those knit on tiny needles using tiny wool for burly fisherman who might be swept out to sea and a watery grave and thus have their initials knit into the fabric. You know, Kleider machen Leute taken to its logical extreme. And which wikipedia says isn’t even true.
Anyway, I didn’t want a fisherman’s sweater — traditional, for identification (apocryphal), or otherwise — but a lovely shawl: namely, Aestlight. Inspired by coughcopiedfromcough two test-kint versions already finished, I started troweling for tweedy wool.
And that’s where I made my mistake. My head was turned by the superior yardage of the Rowan Scottish Tweed Aran and without thinking, I placed my order. Only to be confronted a few days later with some very chunky wool. Which is now becoming a very chunky shawl.
I am resigned and stoic about my fate. In the end, and come winter,* I think the shawl will serve its chunky purpose. I’ve also ordered some 4-ply wool, just in case.
* There is winter in Nashville, right? I’m betting a lot on this season actually existing.
4-ply is the equivalent of DK weight? You are not alone in confusion over yarn weights and the different names for each one. Love the blue & orange together.
That blue is a lovely, comforting color and just looks like it *should* be warm. You know, even if it was thin yarn, the color just feels cozy.
And yep, they do get a winter. Last winter, my friend L sent me photos a few times with snow and/or ice. -Aside from last year, we don’t seem to get much of that do we? Unless you’re in a higher elevation I guess but I’m not.
Oh no! That must have been quite the surprise. The bulky shawl looks lovely, though, esp. in that gorgeous shade of blue.
Well, sometimes it is nice to have a nice thick shawl – love the blue!