What do the stitches in Aran knitting represent?
The most commonly seen Aran stitch is the cable, of which there are many variations. These are said to symbolise fishermen’s ropes. Plaited or braided stitches said to represent the interweaving strands of life. Diamonds to represent the shape of the fishing mesh, and wealth and success.
How many stitches does an Aran sweater have?
100,000 stitches
For example, a typical Aran sweater will have over 100,000 stitches, and may take several months to finish. The three dimensional effect of the twisted stitches also increased the warmth of the clothing by creating air pockets.
Is Aran knitting Irish or Scottish?
The patterns on Aran sweaters are based on Irish Tradition each stitch represents a different meaning and symbolizes something of importance. Here are some of the most popular stitches and their meanings.
What is special about Aran wool?
Unscoured wool retains its natural lanolin making it water resistant. Perfect for braving the harsh conditions of the unforgiving Atlantic Ocean and a far cry from the soft merino and pure wool yarns that are used today.
What do stitches represent?
People ask about The Stitch all the time and what it represents. I always explain something to the effect that The Stitch, with its zigzag shape, physically represents your unique voice frequency. So, when you wear it, you’re symbolically wearing your voice, showing support for people you love to share their stories.
What is it called when you knit one row and purl the next?
Stockinette (or stocking stitch) is a basic stitch that most knitting patterns don’t explain because they assume it’s already in the crafter’s repertoire. However, knitting one row, purling the next, and then repeating this process consecutively creates the most classic pattern of all, known as stockinette stitch.
Do Irish people really wear Aran sweaters?
With or without the dubious myths attached to them, it seems Aran sweaters and Aran knitting patterns remain a popular and practical symbol of Ireland and Irish craft.
What does Aran wool mean?
Aran yarns are also called “medium yarns”. They are thicker than the DK yarns and are often stronger and more rigid. Sometimes this term gets mixed up with the original Aran sweaters. These so called cable knit sweaters owe their name to the Aran Islands in Ireland and have nothing to do with standard weight of wool.
Where do the stitches in an Aran sweater come from?
Many of the stitches used in the Aran Sweater are reflective of 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.
What’s the best way to wash an Aran sweater?
We recommend the time-tested method of hand-washing in cool water and laying flat to dry. Place your sweater in a clean sink filled with cool water and a gentle or wool-specific detergent. Make sure your sweater to submerge your sweater, but be careful not to agitate it too much, as this will cause the wool to become matted over time.
What do the symbols mean in Irish knitting?
Here we will look closely into some of the most famous symbols used in Irish Knitwear. This is perhaps to most widely recognised stitch commonly used stitch and would be familiar with most of our readers. The cable is a plain stitch that represents the fisherman’s rope, it is a tribute to their daily lives.
Where did the first Irish sweater come from?
Irish sweaters, as we know today, originated from the Aran Islands. The Aran Islands are 3 rocky isles, located off Galway Bay, Western Ireland. Aran sweaters were first made by hand by the women of the islands. As sheep were the only animals on the islands, naturally they were used for their wool.