The Aran Sweater takes its name from the group 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. The Islanders were fishermen and farmers, whose lives and livelihoods were deeply intertwined. 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.

Aran Sweater Origins

From its origins, the Aran sweater has been intimately linked to clans and their identities. The many combinations of stitches seen on the garment are far from incidental. They can impart vast amounts of information to those who know how to interpret them. Aran sweaters were, and remain to this day, a reflection of the knitters' lives and their families. On the Aran islands, sweater patterns were zealously guarded and kept within the same clan for generations. These Aran sweaters were often used to help identify bodies of fishermen washed up on the beach following an accident at sea. An official register of these historic patterns has been compiled and can be seen in the Aran Sweater Market store on Inis Mor.

About the Aran Sweater

The Aran Sweater is water-repellent, breathable, and warm- ideal clothing for the island's community of fishermen and farmers.

An Aran sweater can absorb 30% of its weight in water before feeling wet.

The natural wool fibre used in Aran sweaters is breathable, drawing water vapour away from the skin and releasing it into the air, thus helping the body maintain an ideal temperature.

Wool has an excellent insulating capacity due to the high volume of air in it. This helps protect the wearer from excessive cold and heat.

Aran sweater stitches - meanings & symbols

As a craft, the Aran Sweater continues to fascinate people all around the world. A finished Aran sweater contains approximately 100,000 carefully constructed stitches and can take the knitter up to 60 days to complete. It can contain any combination of stitches, depending on the particular clan pattern being followed. Many of the stitches used in the Aran Sweater are reminiscent of early Celtic Art, and comparisons have been drawn between the stitches and patterns found at Neolithic burial sites such as Newgrange in Co. Meath.

Each stitch carries its own unique meaning, a historic legacy from the lives of the Island community many years ago.

The Cable Stitch is a depiction of the fisherman's ropes, and represents a wish for a fruitful day at sea.

The Diamond Stitch reflects the small fields of the islands. 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. Hence the diamond stitch is a wish for success and wealth.

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 Tree of Life Stitch is one of the original stitches, and is unique to the earliest examples of the Aran knitwear. It reflects the importance of the clan, and is an expression of a desire for clan unity, with long-lived parents and strong children.

Aran Sweaters today

Today, the demand for the Aran Sweater continues to grow. 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.

Aran Sweaters are highly sought after for their quality, their history, and the clan heritage they represent. We are continually expanding our range to include both traditional Aran Sweaters and a huge selection of fashion goods inspired by the patterns and traditions of the Aran Islands.

We are proud to produce traditional Aran Sweaters that bring Irish heritage and clan identity into the modern day. All of our sweaters are knitted in Ireland and come with a Certificate of Authenticity, so you can rest assured that when you buy from us you are investing in an item of timeless beauty, synonymous with pride in an Irish heritage.