No winter wardrobe will be complete without a cable knit sweater, and we believe you will need several, in a variety of gorgeous colours, to ensure that you look your best throughout the colder months. They’re a stylish, practical choice with a fascinating heritage and you can style them up in many different ways to create a range of looks you love for casual and formal occasions.

Cable knit sweaters originally hail from the Aran Islands, just off the coast of Galway in Ireland. They were first created as warm and protective outer layers for the farmers and fishermen who worked on these weatherbeaten shores all year round, and they became a popular fashion choice in the 1950s when they were first featured in Vogue magazine. Today, they are loved across the globe by celebrities, style icons and regular mortals, and the traditional styles have been updated with contemporary techniques to create essential sweaters for every winter wardrobe.

Cable Knit Sweaters: The Stitches and the Stories

The communities living on the Aran Islands of Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer created a range of sweaters that we now know as cable knit sweaters, Irish sweaters or Aran sweaters, as practical workwear that could be worn in all weather. However, the techniques used to make these special garments demonstrate the cultural importance of this stunning area, which is steeped in myth and legend.

The Celtic heritage and traditional craftsmanship rooted in Ireland are evident in the intricate stitching patterns used to create cable knit sweaters, and it is said that the different stitches have unique meanings. For instance, the interlinking cable stitch is said to represent the ropes that were used by the fishermen at sea, and the zigzag stitch is thought to be reminiscent of the paths that wound down the cliffs from their homes.

Trellis stitch is believed to depict the fields on the Aran Islands, enclosed by stone walls, and the Trinity stitch is a popular choice for wedding gifts since it reflects the union of the family and has a religious meaning behind it as well. These connections make the cable knit sweater a meaningful and personal clothing option, and it is more than just a great sweater for those who have Irish roots or an affinity with this historic land.

Cable Knit Sweaters: Practical and Stylish

Cable knit is the perfect choice for warmth, with layers of stitching that provide extra insulation against cold weather and winds, and many of our jackets and coats are designed as outer layers that you can wear all year round. This is the perfect choice for any location with a changeable climate, and wool is a great option to help with temperature control. In the winter, there’s nothing warmer than a real wool sweater, which will keep you toasty, and when the weather is warmer, wool is a good choice as it is a natural fibre that wicks away sweat so it will help to keep you cool when the sun is out.

Did you know that wool is naturally water-resistant? There’s no need to worry if you’re caught out in a rain shower because wool can take on up to 30% of its weight in water without feeling wet. It’s a practical, durable choice for long winter walks or cosying up by the fire, and taking care of your cable knit sweater correctly will ensure that it lasts you a lifetime and can even be passed on to the next generation as it becomes an heirloom piece.

Guilt-Free Style: Slow Fashion Sweaters

In a world of fast fashion and environmental chaos, many people are beginning to make more eco-friendly choices about what they put in their wardrobes, and cable knit sweaters are an excellent choice here. In a world where many tonnes of cheap clothing is produced every day, often in poor conditions and by underpaid labourers, slow fashion offers another way to buy clothing.

The slow fashion movement is committed to finding more sustainable ways to enjoy fashion, including fabrics that are natural and manufacturing methods that are environmentally friendly. Cable sweaters that are made from natural wool with hand and machine knitting methods can be seen as a green fashion option, and their durability and longevity mean that they will last much longer than mass-produced, throwaway high-street fashion items. This is a case of quality over quantity and it’s an excellent way to do your bit for the planet as well as look great.

Cable Knit Sweaters for Your Winter Wardrobe

Traditional cable knit sweaters are designed to be the perfect winter wear and can be used for layering up all year round. There are many different types and styles based on the authentic designs that originated hundreds of years ago in the Aran Islands, and choosing your favourite is the only challenging bit! Many of these beautiful designs are available in a range of stunning colours and you can embrace the season with gorgeous designs such as these:

1. The Heavyweight Merino Wool Aran Sweater. The Heavyweight Merino Wool Aran Sweater is a classic sweater that shows off the full potential of the chunky cable knit stitch. It’s the ideal choice for the winter, keeping you warm and cosy with its natural, organic fibres that hug the body for extra warmth. The design is a flattering fit with a natural stretch and it’s one of our most popular styles for good reason. A unisex sweater that is reminiscent of those worn by our favourite actors in iconic festive movies, including Cameron Diaz, in The Holiday, who sports a similar design when she visits England for the full white Christmas effect. Of course, natural white is the colour most often chosen for a winter wonderland image, but several rich shades will complement any outfit, including the gorgeous Evergreen and Claret that are perfectly suited to the winter months.
2. Cable Aran Cardigan with Zipper. We love the ultra-feminine Cable Aran Cardigan with Zipper, which is designed to be flattering and stylish. It is made of 100% soft Merino Wool and features a large cable design on the front, which is believed to bring luck and abundance to the wearer. It is carefully knitted to accentuate the waist and is a practical and fashionable choice which looks great with jeans or over a dress or skirt. It’s a great outer layer for inclement weather and the Celtic zipper detail sets the design off to perfection.
3. Cable Crew Neck Sweater with Pockets. An excellent traditional choice with a special contemporary touch, the Cable Crew Neck Sweater with Pockets is comfortable and cosy to wear all year round, especially in the winter months. This is a relaxed, casual style that pairs perfectly with your favourite jeans and is a great choice that is available in a range of colours, including the beautiful Tundra and the popular Purple Marl. Made from 100% natural wool and complete with a signed and stamped Certificate of Authenticity, this is the ideal gift for yourself or for a loved one and you can be sure it will immediately become a wardrobe staple.
4. Super Soft Luxury Cable Knit Aran Sweater.The Super Soft Luxury Cable Knit Aran Sweater is a contemporary style that can be worn all year round due to its lightweight nature, and the extra soft merino wool is great for layering up or wearing to snuggle up by the fire. The Meadow Green shade is our personal favourite, ideal with jeans or with a skirt and tights when you’re out with friends or dressing casually for work. As with our other Aran sweaters, this is a soft and wearable design that is popular all over the world and it’s a choice that will turn heads for all the right reasons.
5. Cable Aran Dress with Cowl Neck Collar. If you’re looking for something extra special, we can highly recommend the Cable Aran Dress with Cowl Neck Collar. It’s a new addition to the Aran range and combines the gorgeous cable stitch with diamond stitch, honeycomb stitch, trellis stitch and moss stitch to create a beautiful design that is complimented by the oversized cowl neck collar. This unique design is the perfect winter outfit, taking you from the office to the Christmas party with ease, and you can dress it up or down depending on whether you are attending a winter wedding or a casual family get-together.
6. Cable Aran Wrap. When you want to stand out from the crowd, this eye-catching Cable Aran Wrap is a good choice that can be worn all year round. It’s the perfect way to ensure you stay warm at a special event and can be worn over any outfit. We love the Dark Red and Steel Marl colours for an extra touch of class, and we know that this adaptable wrap will be your go-to accessory for dressing up and keeping warm. It’s made from 100% Merino wool and the quality is evident in the soft feel and intricate stitching so you can be sure that everyone will be asking where you bought it!
7. Cable and Lattice Hooded Sweater. We’re big fans of this men’s style that combines traditional comfort with an extra special contemporary design. The Cable and Lattice Hooded Sweater is a unique design that gives you the best of both worlds, ensuring you stay warm and snug whatever the weather, and catching the eye with its simple, stylish hood. This sweater is available in Army Green, Charcoal and Oatmeal, so you can choose the colour that will complement you or the man in your life, and it pairs well with jeans for a casual look or with tailored trousers for a more formal style.
8. Connolly Clan Sweater. Our ClanAran range brings you an extra special connection to your Irish heritage, and the Connolly Clan Sweater is just one example of this beautiful hand-knitted range. Each sweater is made with the unique pattern associated with the family name, creating a heavyweight sweater that is truly one of a kind. Our ClanAran sweaters are made from the highest quality of traditional bainin wool and can take up to forty hours for our skilled craftspeople to complete. These are an outstanding gift that will become a family heirloom, and you will be able to wear your sweater with pride knowing that it shows off your Irish roots in style.

Your cable knit sweater is the perfect choice for your winter wardrobe and will only need airing out before being worn again so there’s no need to worry about arduous washing instructions. When it gets dirty, a simple hand wash with a wool detergent will restore it to its full potential and you can reshape it while wet and dry it flat for the best results. This will keep your sweaters looking great all year round and ensure they stay soft and cosy for years to come.

Find your Winter Sweater at Aran Sweater Market

Cable knit sweaters from Aran Sweater Market are the perfect option for your winter wardrobe and we know you’ll love the traditional craftsmanship and Irish heritage they represent. Whether you want to find a warm, stylish choice for wearing in cold weather or a connection with your Irish roots, you can be sure you’ll find what you need in our catalogue. Our designs include both classic and contemporary styles and you’ll find the right fit for every member of your family.

You can talk to our friendly staff to learn more about our beautiful range of sweaters, cardigans, scarves and jackets, and you’ll love our knitwear clothing and gifts for children and babies as well as our stunning homewares. If you’re visiting Ireland, you can pay us a visit in one of our stores, located in the Aran Islands, Galway, Killarney or Dublin. Alternatively, find our full selection online and have it shipped directly to your door to start enjoying your Aran knitwear straight away.