Aran Knitting

Aran sweaters, hats and scarves are a popular purchase in Ireland, with their fascinating history and intricate patterns. But it is a case of buyer beware, as not all Aran is created equal!

A lot of misinformation surrounds the history of Aran knitting – it is a wonderful craft, but not as ancient a one as many people believe.

Traditional stitch patterns in Aran sweaters include the wonderfully named tree of life, blackberry, honeycomb, moss, diamond and lattice patterns.

However in spite of the fact that meanings are commonly attributed to each stitch pattern, the reality is that they evolved because they looked nice.

Aran knitwear can be hand knit, machine knit or hand loomed and there are significant difference between the three.

The yarn quality and color is also important when choosing an Aran Sweater – these garments last a lifetime, so take time and make the right choice.