I didn't realise that "aran" was an acronym, or that it was a single pattern. In any case, any resemblance to patterns real or imagined is purely coincidental---I came up with the pattern all myself. (The general structure of the sweater was guided by Jacqueline Fee's excellent "Sweater Workshop" book, though.)

I've just started to take up knitting myself, Don. How long did it take you to build up a basic proficiency?

Heh, I see the resemblance. Basically I just knew that I needed a heavy braid pattern for down the middle, and a matched pair of lighter cable patterns on each side---I think this is sort of standard in cabled sweaters, really. A major difference is that in between the cabling I just did stockinette, rather than a big swath of... is that seed stitch?... or anything like that. I will say, though, that future sweaters will probably be done in a heavier weight than worsted. I was getting a little tired of the project by the end.