Aran jumper

The Aran Sweater, which takes its name from the Aran Islands, was popular in the fishing villages on and islands off the West Coast of Ireland. Most of the people in these towns made their living from farming and fishing - with the harsh climate creating a need for warm protective and practical clothing.

Originally sweaters were knitted using un-scoured wool that retained its natural greases making the garments more waterproof. It was wives of the fisherman who, in the main, knitted the sweaters.

The aran sweater can be knitted in many distinctive patterns. Some patterns have a traditional interpretation often of religious significance. The honeycomb is a symbol of the hard working bee. The cable, an integral part of the fisherman's daily life, is said to be a wish for safety and good luck when fishing. The diamond is a wish of success wealth and treasure. The basket stitch represents the fisherman's basket, a hope for a plentiful catch.

Aran Island sweater

The islands are the home of a style of sweater that has gained world-wide appeal during the course of the 20th Century.

Characteristics

The sweater is usually made with undyed cream colored sheep's wool, and is even occasionally made with unwashed wool that still contains natural sheep lanolin.

The sweater usually features 4-6 texture patterns each of which is about 2-4 inches in width, that move down the sweater in columns from top to bottom. Usually the patterns are symettrical to a center axis extending down the center of the front and back panel. The patterns also usually extend down the sleeves as well.

The same texturized knitting patterns are also often used to make socks, hats, vests and even skirts.

Origin stories

There is debate about when island residents first started making the sweaters. Some have suggested that the sweater is an ancient design that has been used on the island for hundreds of years. Proponents of this theory often point to a picture in the Book of Kells that appears to depict an ancient 'Aran Sweater'.

Some historians however have cast doubt on this origin story and have suggested that the sweater, which is technically a very complex piece of knitting, was invented as recently as the 1920s by a small group of enterprising island women to be created and sold as a source of income.

The sweater is often sold as a 'fisherman sweater' and there are many stories that suggest that this sweater is used by the island's famous fishermen. It is said that each fisherman (or their family) had a sweater with a unique design, so that if he drowned and was found on the beach, his body could be identified.

Some experts, though, cast doubt on the very idea that the sweater was ever used by fishermen. Some have argued that the sweater, which is quite thick and stiff, would probably restrict the movements of a fisherman.