The Aran Matching Set from Laines du Nord pairs a long, open-front vest with a coordinating A-line skirt, giving you two garments that can be worn together or separately. Both use Aran Tweed 2 Ply held with Kid Silk Nuance, an interesting combination that brings together the more substantial tweed yarn and the soft halo of kid mohair and silk.
There are some particularly nice construction details here. The vest is worked seamlessly from the top down despite being knitted flat, with deep ribbing around the lower body, neckline and fronts. The skirt is worked seamlessly in the round and shaped into a gentle A-line silhouette. The pattern is rated Intermediate and includes sizes S through XL.
Quick Pattern Information
- Pattern: Aran Matching Set
- Includes: Vest and skirt
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sizes: S (M, L, XL)
- Vest construction: Top down, worked flat and seamlessly
- Skirt construction: Seamless, worked in the round
- Needles: 3.5 mm and 4 mm circular needle tips
- Cables: 80 cm, 120 cm and 150 cm
- Main stitches: Stockinette stitch, 1×1 rib and 2×2 rib
- Techniques: Top-down construction, knitting flat, knitting in the round, increases, picking up stitches, magic loop, short-row shaping and folded bands
- Yarn: Laines du Nord Aran Tweed 2 Ply and Kid Silk Nuance
- Get the free pattern: Laines du Nord – Aran Matching Set
🧶 Yarn pick: This set combines Aran Tweed 2 Ply with Kid Silk Nuance, so a substitute needs to reproduce more than just the overall thickness of the knitted fabric. The tweed provides body and definition while the Kid Silk Nuance contributes softness, halo and color variation. If substituting, consider pairing a structured wool or wool-blend yarn with a fine mohair-silk strand. Because these are fitted garments rather than accessories, always work from the pattern gauge rather than assuming that another yarn labelled “Aran” will produce the same finished dimensions.
Materials Used in This Pattern
Vest
| Yarn | Color | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laines du Nord Aran Tweed 2 Ply | 15 Beige | 160 g | 190 g | 220 g | 220 g |
| Laines du Nord Kid Silk Nuance | 023 H.Couture Blue | 70 g | 80 g | 90 g | 100 g |
Skirt
| Yarn | Color | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laines du Nord Aran Tweed 2 Ply | 15 Beige | 100 g | 120 g | 140 g | 160 g |
| Laines du Nord Kid Silk Nuance | 023 H.Couture Blue | 50 g | 60 g | 70 g | 80 g |
Needles and Notions
| Material | Details |
|---|---|
| Circular needles | 3.5 mm and 4 mm tips |
| Cables | 80 cm, 120 cm and 150 cm |
| Other notions | Darning needle, stitch markers, scissors and tape measure |
| Skirt waistband | Elastic band is inserted into the folded knitted waistband; the supplied text does not specify its width or length |
Two Garments Designed to Work Together
Matching knitted sets are interesting projects because you are investing in two pieces rather than one large garment.
The vest and skirt share the same yarn combination and restrained beige-and-blue palette, which gives them a deliberately coordinated appearance when worn together. Separately, the vest works as an easy layering piece, while the simple A-line skirt could be paired with other knitwear.
If you like the idea of knitting coordinated outfits, have a look through the free skirt knitting patterns on Knitting Bee, which includes other knitted skirt-and-top combinations as well as standalone skirts.
How the Aran Vest Is Constructed
The vest is described as top down, flat and seamless, which is an interesting combination.
The back begins at the top and is shaped with increases before continuing in stockinette stitch. The front sections are worked from the shoulder area, with increases creating the neckline and armhole shaping.
The fronts and back are then brought together so the remainder of the body can be worked as one large flat piece.
Rather than finishing with a narrow conventional hem, the lower section changes to 2×2 ribbing for 12 cm. That deep ribbed section becomes an important part of the overall look of the vest.
The design is largely based on straightforward stockinette and ribbing; much of the intermediate difficulty comes from the construction and finishing rather than a complicated decorative stitch pattern.
The Finishing Is a Major Part of the Vest
The vest uses picked-up stitches extensively.
Stitches are picked up around each armhole and worked in 1×1 rib in the round. These bands are then folded inward to create a more substantial finished edge.
An even larger band runs around the right front, neckline and left front. This is also worked in 1×1 rib before being folded inward.
It gives the otherwise simple stockinette vest a much more structured finish.
The pattern also adds small ribbed flaps to the fronts. These are picked up above the deep lower ribbing, knitted separately and then secured at the sides.
For many more sleeveless garment ideas, browse 100+ free vest knitting patterns on Knitting Bee.
A Good Introduction to Top-Down Vest Construction
Although the pattern is rated Intermediate, the actual stitch patterns are very approachable.
Most of the vest uses:
- stockinette stitch
- 1×1 rib
- 2×2 rib
The challenge lies in understanding how the garment develops from the shoulders downward, keeping track of increases and picking up stitches neatly for the finishing bands.
If you like the idea of a vest but want to compare this with simpler constructions first, see 14 Free Vest Knitting Patterns for Women.
How the Matching Skirt Is Constructed
The skirt is considerably simpler in appearance than the vest and is worked seamlessly in the round.
It begins at the waist with a folded knitted waistband. An elastic band is inserted inside before the waistband is completely closed, helping the knitted skirt hold securely at the waist.
Short-row shaping is introduced near the top of the skirt. The body then gradually increases at marked positions to produce its slight A-line shape.
The main skirt reaches approximately:
- S: 30 cm before the lower band
- M: 34 cm
- L: 38 cm
- XL: 42 cm
A substantial 12 cm 2×2 ribbed band is then worked around the bottom, or it can be adjusted to the desired length.
That combination of smooth stockinette and deep ribbing mirrors the construction of the vest and helps the two pieces read as a matching set.
Why the Skirt Is a Useful Intermediate Project
Knitted skirts can look intimidating, but there is no complicated lace, cable or stranded colorwork involved here.
Instead, the knitter gets practice with garment shaping.
The skirt combines a folded waistband, elastic insertion, short rows, increases, circular knitting and a long ribbed lower band. Once the shaping is established, much of the body consists of straightforward knitting in the round.
You can find more designs using different skirt constructions in the 20+ Free Skirt Knitting Patterns collection.
For another A-line option, the Sunny Days Skirt free knitting pattern is also worked from the top down, but adds lace and wave patterning for a very different finish.
Choosing Yarn for the Matching Set
The yarn combination is one of the defining features of this design.
Aran Tweed 2 Ply provides the foundation, while Kid Silk Nuance adds a contrasting soft strand. The original colors are beige for the Aran Tweed and blue for the Kid Silk Nuance.
Holding yarns together can also make color substitution particularly interesting. A neutral base combined with a contrasting mohair strand can produce a subtly blended fabric rather than a single flat color.
The important consideration is gauge. Two yarns that look similar individually may behave quite differently when held together, particularly once a mohair or silk-mohair strand is added.
For a skirt, drape is also important. A substitute that produces a much denser or heavier fabric could change the way the A-line shape hangs.
Is the Aran Matching Set Suitable for Beginners?
Laines du Nord rates the pattern Intermediate, and that is a reasonable description.
The stitches themselves aren’t especially complicated. A knitter comfortable with knit, purl and basic ribbing already has the foundation needed for much of the fabric.
The intermediate elements are mainly the garment-making techniques: top-down construction, increases, picking up large numbers of stitches, folded bands, magic loop, short-row shaping and working seamlessly in the round.
It would suit someone who has already completed a few straightforward projects and wants to move into more involved garment construction.
FAQs About the Aran Matching Set
What does the Aran Matching Set include?
The pattern includes instructions for a sleeveless open-front vest and a coordinating knitted skirt.
What sizes are included?
Both garments are written for sizes S, M, L and XL.
What skill level is the pattern?
Laines du Nord rates the pattern Intermediate.
Is the vest knitted top down?
Yes. The vest is worked from the top down. It is worked flat while using a seamless construction method.
Is the vest knitted in one piece?
Not from the very beginning. The upper sections are established separately before the fronts and back are brought together for the main body. The pattern describes the overall garment construction as seamless.
Is the skirt knitted flat or in the round?
The skirt is worked seamlessly in the round.
What stitch patterns are used?
The set primarily uses stockinette stitch together with 1×1 and 2×2 ribbing.
Does the skirt have an elastic waistband?
Yes. The waistband is folded and an elastic band is inserted inside before it is completely closed.
Is the skirt A-line?
Yes. The pattern describes it as having a slight A-line shape, created through increases as the skirt progresses.
Can I substitute the original yarn?
Yes, but matching the finished gauge and fabric is more important than simply choosing another yarn with “Aran” in its name. The original design combines Aran Tweed 2 Ply with Kid Silk Nuance, so a substitute should take into account both the structure of the base yarn and the soft halo contributed by the second strand.