Each stitch carries its own unique meaning, a historic legacy from the lives of the Island community many years ago. The Aran Sweater was born of this environment, passed down from generation to generation, and has since become the ultimate symbol of Irish Clan heritage. The Islanders were fishermen and farmers whose lives and livelihoods were deeply intertwined. The Aran Sweater takes its name from the set of islands where it originated many generations ago, off the West coast of Ireland. These diamonds are sometimes filled with Irish moss stitch, depicting the seaweed that was used to fertilise the barren fields and produce a good harvest. In the 1820s, harvesting kelp was an important sideline to raise money for the land rents. Each Aran sweater exudes history and every stitch pattern has a traditional interpretation and distinctive story, often of religious significance, but mostly of life’s experience and journey: For example, the honeycomb is a symbol of the hard-working bee. We regard the Aran Sweater as an eternal symbol of the Islands, its long history, unique culture and time honoured traditions. Many of the stitches used in the Aran Sweater are reflective of Celtic Art, and comparisons have been drawn between the stitches and patterns found at Neolithic burial sites such as Newgrange in Co. Meath. These diamonds are sometimes filled with Irish moss stitch, depicting the seaweed that was used to fertilise the barren fields and produce a good harvest. Story (& History) of The Aran Sweater. First Aran knitting patterns published. Barri, Barrymore, De Barra, Dubarry. As the craft spreads far beyond its humble origins on the wind ravaged islands of the west coast of Ireland, so too does its recognition as a fine work of art and an emblem of Irish Clan identity. €0.00. Aran Islands Culture & History → The Aran Sweater. Your new Aran sweater is probably not as old as you might think. Copyright © ClanAran All Rights Reserved. They can impart vast amounts of information to those who know how to interpret them. Since the turn of the 20th Century, stage and screen greats are wearing, promoting, marketing, illustrating, painting, writing and singing of the Aran Islands and its notorious knitwear. The first Aran sweaters were seen on young island boys in the late 1920s and early 1930s. A finished Aran sweater contains approximately 100,000 carefully constructed stitches, and can take the knitter up to sixty days to complete. The Aran Sweater has many attributes which made it suitable clothing for the island's community of fishermen and farmers. There is debate about when island residents first started making the jumpers. The natural wool fibre used in the sweaters is breathable, drawing water vapour away from the skin and releasing it into the air, thus helping the body to maintain an ideal temperature. The Tree of Life is one of the original stitches, and is unique to the earliest examples of the Aran knitwear. The Aran Sweater, also known as a Fisherman Irish Sweater, the famous original since 1892; quality authentic Aran sweater & Irish sweaters from the Aran Islands, Ireland. The Cable Stitch is a depiction of the fisherman's ropes, and represents a wish for a fruitful day at sea. Nowadays, the Aran Sweater is part of Irish heritage but also has become a fashionable item of clothing on the catwalks. Aran Sweaters were borned from life at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean off Galway bay. Ladies Vintage Aran Shawl Cardigan. Today, the demand for the Aran Sweater continues to grow. Add To Cart. Aran Sweater Market on Inis Mór, Aran Islands producing genuine Aran sweaters & using skilled, local Aran sweater knitters. On the Aran islands, sweater patterns were zealously guarded, kept within the same clan throughout generations. He later went on to write books like The Sacred History of Knitting (1971) in which he makes dubious claims about the history and origins of the Aran sweater and its cable motifs. The lack of skilled knitters, and the economic gains to be had from machine-production of the sweaters, has resulted in a huge fall in the number of hand-knits available. Kiewe, a Prussian-born, self-styled anthropologist, is responsible for much of the resulting international fame of the Aran sweater, as well as the fables surrounding it. The many combinations of stitches seen on the garment are not incidental, far from it. Most importantly, of course, an Aran sweater kept the wearer warm on the cold days and nights at sea or on the farm. Men's Large Cable Sweater. Hand knit Aran Sweaters have become rare and valuable. The Aran Islands lie at the mouth of Galway Bay, at the mercy of the relentless Atlantic Sea. The Aran sweater is often referred to as the Fisherman’s Sweater or Geansai Arrann in the Irish language, is commonly spoken in the Islands that are home to this iconic sweater. €0.00. Want to know more. A finished Aran sweater contains approximately 100,000 carefully constructed stitches, and can take the knitter up to sixty days to complete. The Cable Stitch is a depiction of the fisherman's ropes, and represents a wish for a fruitful day at sea. The Aran Islands lie at the mouth of Galway Bay, at the mercy of the relentless Atlantic Sea. As Aran sweaters became available for purchase, the publication Vogue took notice of the intricate and masterful patterns. Aran Sweater Market < > Featured Products. They were worn for their First Holy Communion or to Mass on Sundays. On the Aran islands, sweater patterns were zealously guarded, kept within the same clan throughout generations. © 2021 Aran Sweater Market. Typical clothing for an Aran man was homespun trousers and waistcoats made of grey or light-brown tweed; for women, a calf-length woven skirt along with a knitted sweater was worn. An Aran sweater can absorb 30% of its weight in water before feeling wet. In 1957 Vogue published a knitting pattern for the Aran sweater. The Aran Sweater is the most popular item sold at our store. These Aran sweaters were often used to help identify bodies of fishermen washed up on the beach following an accident at sea. The Aran Sweater takes its name from the set of islands where it originated many generations ago, off the West coast of Ireland. Irish Gift Information. The Aran Sweater In Conclusion. Aran knitters were highly skilled. The Aran Sweater was born of this setting, passed down from generation to generation. Original Aran Sweater Pattern from Patons. document.getElementById("copyright_year").innerHTML = new Date().getFullYear(). 3/4 Length Aran Zip Coat (ALC) € 100.00 € 89.95 Select options; 9th CENTURY POEM CELTIC T-SHIRT (IN IRISH LANGUAGE) € 19.95 Select options; Sale! The cookie settings on this website are set to 'allow all cookies' to give you the very best experience. €0.00. Certainly, when the film Man of Aran drew the world's attention to the islands in 1934, Irish knitwear of this style was not featured. Aran sweaters were, and remain, a reflection of the lives of the knitters, and their families. He wrote a book on his suppositions, The Sacred Hi… But who has been making Aran knitwear famous for the last hundred years? It can contain any combination of stitches, depending on the particular clan pattern being followed. Barry Knitting Kit This knitting kit is comprised of the finest traditional Aran Wool, together with your Family Crest, sweater history and your Barry knitting pattern. John Millington Synge, 1898. Give the gift of Aran sweater this Valentine’s Day Aran Sweater History Sweaters Featured in Fill Your Heart with Ireland Campaign Comfortable, cosy, luxurious, warm, woollen, knitted, patterned, intricate, authentic, stylish, designer and textured are but a few words that can be used to describe an Irish Aran sweater but what is an Aran sweater? It's something uniquely Irish. €0.00. They are highly sought after for their quality, their history, and the clan heritage they represent. The Islanders were fishermen and farmers whose lives and livelihoods were deeply intertwined. Fishing and farming are the main industries on these islands and there is a great need for warm, protective clothing. Hand knit Aran Sweaters have become rare and valuable. The Aran (or Arran) jumper/sweatertakes its name from the Aran Islands, was popular in the fishing villages on and islands off the West Coast of Ireland, or from the Isle of Arran off the west coast of Scotland. Aran Sweater Market - the home of Irish Aran sweaters. The Islanders were fishermen and farmers whose lives and livelihoods were deeply tangled. It has beautiful delicate Aran stitches throughout the front and back. The Tree of Life is one of the original stitches, and is unique to the earliest examples of the Aran knitwear. As the craft spreads far beyond its humble origins on the wind ravaged islands of the west coast of Ireland, so too does its recognition as a fine work of art and an emblem of Irish Clan identity. The first known example of Aran knitting appeared outside of Ireland in the 1930s. The cookie settings on this website are set to 'allow all cookies' to give you the very best experience. The Aran Islands, situated on the very west of Europe, in front of Galway Bay, have given their name to this particular and famous knitting-product. We believe the beauty of the Islands lies in its ability to remain independent from that of modern ways on the mainland. Mens Vintage Cable Knit Cardigan. The Diamond Stitch reflects the small fields of the islands. From its origins, the Aran sweater has been intimately linked to clans and their identities. Sitemap. If you go back far enough, these three Aran Islands were strategic islands along the mouth of Galway Bay and is perhaps why people came to even live on the Aran Islands. The first Aran sweater patterns were published by Patons of England in the 1940s. It again reflects the importance of the clan, and is an expression of a desire for clan unity, with long-lived parents and strong children. The Aran Islands lie on the most westerly edge of Europe, across the mouth of Galway Bay. What we think of as the traditional Aran sweater is actually fairly modern, according to Richard Rutt, author of A History of Handknitting (1987, Interweave). Add To Cart. Overall, the significance of the Aran sweater and its history can't be denied. The many combinations of stitches seen on the garment are not incidental, far from it. Most importantly, of course, an Aran sweater kept the wearer warm on the cold days and nights at sea or on the farm. They also developed various crafts, Aran Knitwear, Baron playing, experts at dry stonewall building. The Aran Sweaters date back many generations. The Islanders were fishermen and farmers whose lives and livelihoods were deeply intertwined. Aran history. The Definitive History of the Aran Sweater The Aran Sweater: It’s All About the Wool How to Wash and Store Your Wool Aran Sweater. Aran sweaters were, and remain, a reflection of the lives of the knitters, and their families. Despite the huge increase in fashion goods available in Ladies Aran Knitwear, Mens Aran Knitwear and Childrens Aran Knitwear, the Aran Sweater remains an item of timeless beauty, synonymous with pride in an Irish heritage. This is the quintessential Aran sweater: the perfect first buy in Aran knitwear as it will never go out of style! Add To Cart. The Diamond Stitch reflects the small fields of the islands. 1 Comment. They are highly sought after for their quality, their history, and the clan heritage they represent. Sweater Knitting Patterns Knitting Stitches Knit Patterns Knitting Sweaters Stitch Patterns Crochet Crafts Knit Crochet Pattern Meaning Knitting Projects. They can impart vast amounts of information to those who know how to interpret them. The Aran Sweater takes its name from the set of islands where it originated many generations ago, off the West coast of Ireland. The Aran Islands lie at the mouth of Galway Bay, at the mercy of the relentless Atlantic Sea. Many of the stitches used in the Aran Sweater are reflective of Celtic Art, and comparisons have been drawn between the stitches and patterns found at Neolithic burial sites such as Newgrange in Co. Meath. Please click Accept Cookies to continue to use the site. The Aran Islands lie at the mouth of Galway Bay, at the mercy of the relentless Atlantic Sea. The Aran Sweater is one of the most iconic and historical clothing items associated with Ireland. Aran Sweaters as First Communion Gift Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an Irish Sweater The Aran Sweater, A New Take On An Old Tradition. Add To Cart. From its origins, the Aran sweater has been intimately linked to clans and their identities. In the 2010s alone, we see an illu… The Islanders were fishermen and farmers … Please click Accept Cookies to continue to use the site. Bibi Bellotto on September 10, 2019 at 10:59 pm Just came back from with yarn to knit an Aran sweater. It can contain any combination of stitches, depending on the particular clan pattern being followed. The lack of skilled knitters, and the economic gains to be had from machine-production of the sweaters, has resulted in a huge fall in the number of hand-knits available. History of the Aran Sweater. As a craft, the Aran Sweater continues to fascinate audiences around the world. The Aran sweater as we know it today evolved from a type of fisherman's sweater worn on the Aran Islands in the 19th century. The Aran Sweater was born of this environment, passed down from generation to … An official register of these historic patterns has been compiled, and can be seen in the Aran Sweater Market on the Aran Islands. The Zig Zag Stitch, a half diamond, is often used in the Aran Sweaters, and popularly represents the twisting cliff paths on the islands. By the end of the nineteenth century, knitting was well established on the Irish west coast islands as a source of income. Home; A Brief History: Learn how the Aran sweater evolved as a knitting tradition. These interpretations were fabricated by Heinz Edgar Kiewe, a yarn shop owner who noticed a chance resemblance between Aran stitches and Celtic knotwork, and assumed that Aran knitting was at least as old as, if not older than, the knotwork it resembles. Each stitch carries its own unique meaning, a historic legacy from the lives of the Island community many years ago. But it … It was a tradition to give an Aran sweater as a gift for First Holy Communions. Vintage Unisex Aran Hat and Mitts. Wearing an Aran sweater with a pair of jeans on a crisp fall day is a great look, or if you're going out to dinner wearing a white Aran sweater with a pair of khaki's and a dress shirt underneath will be a great casual and classy look. The Aran Sweater takes its name from the set of islands where it originated many generations ago, off the West coast of Ireland. Wearing an Aran sweater with a pair of jeans on a crisp fall day is a great look, or if you’re going out to dinner wearing a white Aran sweater with a pair of khaki’s and a dress shirt underneath will be a great casual and classy look. Despite the huge increase in fashion goods available in Ladies Aran Knitwear, Mens Aran Knitwear and Childrens Aran Knitwear, the Aran Sweater remains an item of timeless beauty, synonymous with pride in an Irish heritage. History of the Aran Sweater. Learning the Ropes (and Diamonds, and Honeycombs …): Check out a bit of cable theory and see what geometric shapes are possible. 1. The History of The Aran Sweater | The Sweater Shop The Aran Sweater is named after the set of islands off Irelands West coast where it was first created many generations ago. Restaurants near Aran Sweater Market: (0.03 mi) Chopped (0.04 mi) O'donoghue's Bar (0.04 mi) Avoca (0.05 mi) The Little Pig Speakeasy (0.04 mi) The Blind Pig Speakeasy; View all restaurants near Aran Sweater Market on Tripadvisor $
This 100% Merino wool sweater is soft, super warm and extremely stylish to wear all year round. It is water repellent, not allowing the rain to penetrate the sweater thus keeping the wearer dry. All transactions are processed in USD. Each Aran piece is a testimony to the skill and craftsmanship of the designers and knitters. It again reflects the importance of the clan, and is an expression of a desire for clan unity, with long-lived parents and strong children. All prices are in USD. Aran sweaters are one of the finest fashion exports to ever come out of Ireland. Reply. Burke Knitting Kit This knitting kit is comprised of the finest traditional Aran Wool, together with your Family Crest, sweater history and your Burke family name knitting pattern. The Zig Zag Stitch, a half diamond, is often used in the Aran Sweaters, and popularly represents the twisting cliff paths on the islands. The Aran Islands are located at the mouth of Galway Bay on the Atlantic Sea and are where fisherman and … 3 BUTTON ARAN CROSS OVER NECK JACKET (JB3) € 99.95 € 79.95 Select options; 3 BUTTON HOOD SWEATER CAPE (3BSC) € 49.95 Select options; Sale! The Aran Sweater was born of this environment, passed down from generation to generation, and has since become the ultimate symbol of Irish Clan heritage. Today, the demand for the Aran Sweater continues to grow. But it was only a year later that the first Aran sweaters went on sale in The Country Shop in Dublin. These Aran sweaters were often used to help identify bodies of fishermen washed up on the beach following an accident at sea. The Aran Sweater In Conclusion. Hence the diamond stitch is a wish for success and wealth. This feature in the internationally published fashion monolith was a major achievement. Connect with us: Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube. An Aran sweater can absorb 30% of its weight in water before feeling wet. Saved by Crystal. Wool has an excellent insulating capacity due to the high volume of air in it, and this helps protect the wearer from excessive cold and heat. Popularity was growing and when Grace Kelly appeared in Vogue wearing an Aran sweater … There is a lot in the culture and History in the Aran Islands. Creating A Design: Take your cable ideas and meld them together into something spectacular. Working almost exclusively with natural materials, Aran knitwear remains as much in … The Aran Sweater has many attributes which made it suitable clothing for the island's community of fishermen and farmers. The natural wool fibre used in the sweaters is breathable, drawing water vapour away from the skin and releasing it into the air, thus helping the body to maintain an ideal temperature. As a craft, the Aran Sweater continues to fascinate audiences around the world. Some stitch patterns are believed, erroneously, to have a traditional interpretation, often of religious significance. 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