Are Aran sweaters hand knitted?
Aran sweaters are handmade, following the tradition of the people of the Irish coast who first created these sweaters many years ago. Every stitch has a meaning, representing the lifestyle and history of the people who lived on the island of Aran, and Aran sweaters are hand knitted to be unique and beautiful.
How long does it take to knit an Aran jumper?
between 3 to 6 weeks
The intricate cables, bobbles and stitch patterns make these garments popular for a number of reasons. They are challenging to knit, lend aesthetic appeal to the apparel, and add warmth and thickness. Back then, handknitting an aran sweater took between 3 to 6 weeks to complete.
What does hand loomed sweater mean?
Hand Loom: A sweater made on a single-operator loom, where the operator can adjust the stitching pattern between rows. The best hand loomed sweaters are said to compare well to hand knitted ones, although they’re not as tightly knit.
Is Aran knitting difficult?
The stitches that create the Aran knitting patterns are often fairly complex and the completed items are time-consuming to create. You use one solid colour of yarn and essentially make patterns and cables by using a variety of stitches and needle techniques.
Can you wash an Aran jumper?
Hand wash the sweater in lukewarm water using only a small amount of special hand-wash-only or mild detergent like Woolite, Soak, or Eucalan (which is specially designed for woolens and contains lanolin, a type of natural oil produced by sheep).
Are Aran sweaters scratchy?
We are delighted to confidently state that our 100% Merino Wool Aran Sweaters are NOT itchy! Typically Aran Sweaters are assumed to be itchy by most due to their rugged appearance and the fact that they are made from wool.
What stitches in Aran jumper?
Classic Aran Stitches
- The Honeycomb Stitch. According to Aran islander folklore, the honeycomb stitch pays tribute to the hard-working honeybee and is said to bring good fortune to the wearer.
- The Cable Stitch. So next on the list is the classic cable stitch.
- The Diamond Stitch.
- The Zig Zag Stitch.
- The Basket Stitch.
Can you machine wash an Aran jumper?
Never put in a washing machine or tumble dryer. For best results we recommend a 5-10 minute soak in Woolie Cold Water Wash. Gently squeeze suds through. Do not rub, twist or wring.
Do Irish clans have Aran patterns?
Over the years, in line with ancient Irish folklore, many Clans adopted the Aran Sweater as the ultimate Clan symbol. Historically these patterns were safeguarded within families and passed down from generation to generation.
Is it difficult to knit an Aran sweater?
How many balls of wool do you need for an Aran jumper?
10 balls of Utterly Aran Yarn to make the colourful stripes, 4 balls of Utterly Aran Yarn to make the contrasting stripes, darning needle, rainbow blanket knitting pattern and a how to knit manual.
What can I knit with 400g Aran wool?
- Blankets.
- Cowls.
- Garments.
- Hats.
- Mitts.
- Shawls / Scarves / Wraps.
- Socks / Legwarmers.
- Everything Else.
Which is the best aran wool?
Merino Wool – Merino wool comes from the Merino Sheep in New Zealand and is one of the world’s toughest breeds of sheep. There are many benefits of merino wool that has seen it become the most popular yarn used in Aran sweaters.
What is a Aran jumper?
Aran jumpers are sometimes sold as a “fisherman sweater”, indicating that the jumper was traditionally used by the islands’ famous fishermen. It is said that each fisherman (or their family) had a jumper with a unique design, so that if he drowned and was found maybe weeks later on the beach, his body could be identified.
Where can I buy Aran sweaters in Ireland?
Most are hand loomed. On the Aran Islands and selling locally produced hand knit and hand-loomed sweaters, this is a very good place to go for the real thing. In Dublin, Cork and elsewhere, they have a broad selection of Aran sweaters, mainly good quality hand-loomed.
Why choose Aran Islands knitwear?
At Aran Islands Knitwear we specialise and stock a wide range of traditional Aran hand knitted and Aran hand loomed sweaters and cardigans. Beautifully made from the best aran yarns, our pieces are the hallmark of the traditions and craftsmanship for which this region, the Aran Islands, is renowned world-wide.
What is a hand-loomed sweater?
Hand-loomed means that a person operates the loom directly and can make stitch adjustments between rows. This allows the loom operator to build up the intricate patterns of Aran row by row, and the best hand looms are capable of producing very high quality sweaters.