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# The "Highland Heather" Aran-Style Jumper

**Description:** A cosy, beginner-friendly crochet jumper featuring a nubby texture reminiscent of traditional Aran knitting, finished with a striking geometric Fair Isle border at the hem and cuffs. Constructed in simple flat panels with minimal shaping.

**Difficulty Level:** Beginner/Improver  
**Method:** Crochet  
**Yarn Weight:** Aran / Worsted (10 ply)

## Sizing Guide
**Sizes:** S (M, L, XL, 2XL)
**To Fit Chest:** 81-86 (91-97, 102-107, 112-117, 122-127) cm
**Finished Width (approx):** 51 (55, 60, 65, 70) cm
**Finished Length:** 56 (58, 60, 62, 64) cm

## Materials
- **Yarn:** Aran weight wool or acrylic blend.
  - **Main Colour (MC):** Cream/Ecru - 5 (6, 6, 7, 8) balls of 100g (approx 180m per ball).
  - **Contrast Colour (CC):** Navy or Dark Grey - 1 ball of 100g (all sizes).
- **Hooks:** 
  - 5.0mm (UK 6) for main body.
  - 4.5mm (UK 7) for ribbing (optional, for tighter fit).
- Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving ends.
- Stitch markers.

## Tension (Gauge)
13 stitches and 12 rows to 10 cm measured over "Lemon Peel Stitch" (see Special Stitches) using 5.0mm hook.
*Check your tension carefully. If you have more stitches than stated, use a larger hook. If less, use a smaller hook.*

## Terminology & Abbreviations (UK Terms)
*   **ch:** chain
*   **dc:** double crochet (equivalent to US single crochet)
*   **tr:** treble crochet (equivalent to US double crochet)
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **RS:** Right Side
*   **WS:** Wrong Side
*   **BLO:** Back Loop Only
*   **MC:** Main Colour
*   **CC:** Contrast Colour

## Special Instructions
**Tapestry Crochet (For the Colorwork):**
When working the Fair Isle charts, carry the non-working yarn inside the stitches of the working colour. Do not cut the yarn at colour changes. Lay the unused yarn along the top of the row and crochet *over* it.

**Lemon Peel Stitch (Main Texture):**
This stitch alternates dc and tr. Always place a dc into a tr from the previous row, and a tr into a dc.

---

# CHARTS

### Colorwork Management
- **Reading the Chart:** 
  - Read **Odd Rows (RS)** from **Right to Left**.
  - Read **Even Rows (WS)** from **Left to Right**.
- **Stitch Count:** The chart repeat is 6 stitches. The pattern is designed so that you perform the repeat [X] times, plus 1 stitch at the very end to balance the pattern.

### CHART A: Geometric Border
*Used on Front Hem, Back Hem, and Sleeve Cuffs.*
Total height: 7 rows.

**Key:** 
□ = Main Colour (MC) - use **dc** stitches
■ = Contrast Colour (CC) - use **dc** stitches

```text
Row 7 (RS): □□□□□□ [□□□□□□] ... □
Row 6 (WS): □□□□□□ [□□□□□□] ... □
Row 5 (RS): □□■■□□ [□□■■□□] ... □
Row 4 (WS): □■■■■□ [□■■■■□] ... □
Row 3 (RS): ■■□□■■ [■■□□■■] ... ■
Row 2 (WS): ■□□□□■ [■□□□□■] ... ■
Row 1 (RS): □□□□□□ [□□□□□□] ... □
```
*Visual Guide:*
R7: White
R6: White
R5: 2 White, 2 Blue, 2 White...
R4: 1 White, 4 Blue, 1 White...
R3: 2 Blue, 2 White, 2 Blue...
R2: 1 Blue, 4 White, 1 Blue...
R1: White

---

# INSTRUCTIONS

## BACK PANEL

**Ribbing**
Using MC and smaller hook (4.5mm), ch 10.
**Row 1:** dc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn. (9 sts)
**Row 2:** ch 1 (does not count as st), dc in BLO of each st across, turn.
Repeat Row 2 until ribbing measures approx 51 (55, 60, 65, 70) cm slightly stretched.
Turn work 90 degrees to work along the long edge of the ribbing.

**Setup Row (RS):** Change to larger hook (5.0mm). Ch 1, work 67 (73, 79, 85, 91) dc evenly across the long edge of the ribbing. Turn.
*Verification: Ensure you have exactly this number of stitches for the chart to work.*

**Fair Isle Border**
Join CC (do not cut MC). Begin working from **CHART A**. All stitches in this section are standard dc.
**Rows 1-7:** Work rows 1-7 of Chart A. 
*Note on repeats: Work the 6-stitch repeat 11 (12, 13, 14, 15) times, then work the final stitch of the chart.*
Fasten off CC. Continue with MC only.

**Main Body (Texture)**
Proceed in Lemon Peel Stitch pattern.
**Row 1 (WS):** ch 1, *dc in next st, tr in next st; repeat from * to last st, dc in last st, turn.
**Row 2 (RS):** ch 1, *dc in next tr, tr in next dc; repeat from * to last st, dc in last st, turn.

Repeat Row 2 until work measures 56 (58, 60, 62, 64) cm from bottom edge.
Fasten off.

## FRONT PANEL

Work exactly as for Back Panel until work measures 50 (52, 54, 56, 58) cm from bottom edge. End on a WS row.

**Neck Shaping**
**Next Row (RS):** Work in pattern over 22 (24, 26, 29, 31) sts, turn. Leaving remaining stitches unworked for now.
**Next Row:** Decrease 1 st (dc2tog) at neck edge, work in pattern to end, turn.
**Next Row:** Work in pattern to last 2 sts, dc2tog, turn.
**Next Row:** Work straight in pattern.
**Next Row:** Work straight in pattern. 
Fasten off. (Shoulder width approx 20-29 sts depending on size).

Return to the unworked stitches of the RS row. Skip the centre 23 (25, 27, 27, 29) sts for the neckline. Join yarn to the remaining stitches and work the second shoulder to match the first, reversing the shapings.

## SLEEVES (Make 2)

**Ribbing**
Using MC and smaller hook, ch 10. Work ribbing as for Back until piece measures approx 22 (23, 24, 25, 25) cm.
Turn to work along edge.

**Setup Row (RS):** Change to larger hook. Ch 1, work 37 (37, 43, 43, 49) dc evenly across. Turn. 
*(Chart math: 6 repeats + 1 for sizes S/M; 7 repeats + 1 for L/XL; 8 repeats + 1 for 2XL).*

**Fair Isle Cuff**
Join CC.
**Rows 1-7:** Work Chart A. Fasten off CC.

**Main Sleeve (Texture)**
Commence Lemon Peel Stitch (dc, tr).
**Row 1:** Work in pattern.
**Row 2 (Inc Row):** ch 1, 2 sts in first st (increase), work in pattern to last st, 2 sts in last st, turn.
**Rows 3-4:** Work straight in pattern.

Repeat Rows 2-4 (increasing every 3rd row) until you have 61 (65, 69, 73, 77) sts.
Continue straight until sleeve measures 45cm (or desired length) from cuff. 
Fasten off.

## FINISHING

1.  **Blocking (Important):** Pin the panels out to the finished measurements on a blocking mat. Spray lightly with water (or steam gently if using acrylic—do not touch the iron to the yarn). Let dry completely. This evens out the colourwork tension.
2.  **Shoulders:** Seam the front and back shoulders together using a whip stitch or mattress stitch.
3.  **Neck Border:** With RS facing and smaller hook, join MC at shoulder seam. Work 2 rounds of dc evenly around the neck opening. Slip stitch to join and fasten off.
4.  **Sleeves:** Mark the centre of the sleeve top. Match to the shoulder seam. Sew the sleeve to the body.
5.  **Side Seams:** Sew the side seams and underarm sleeve seams in one continuous line.
6.  **Ends:** Weave in all loose ends securely.