A Short History of the Aran Sweater

Hi Everyone. I hope I find you all well. It was a night of celebration on Tuesday evening at the Golden Globes for Irish movie The Banshees of Inisherin. Martin Mc Donagh's darkly comic tale led the field with 8 nominations and won three awards; Best actor in a comedy or musical for Colin Farrell, best screenplay and best film-musical or comedy. Congratulations all round!

The film is set on the fictional island of Inisherin and is visually stunning, showcasing all the majesty and rugged grandeur of the iconic west of Ireland landscape. The actual locations for the movie were Achill Island in County Mayo and largest of the Aran Islands, Inis Mór, the home of one of Ireland's most famous and much loved exports.

A Short History of the Aran Sweater

The Place

 

So this is the place and what a place! The Aran Islands are 3 islands in Galway Bay at Ireland's most westerly point. The largest of the trio is Inishmore, followed by Inishmann and Inisheer. Traditionally, the islanders farmed the land and fished the wild Atlantic waters. Conditions were harsh and the Aran sweater was born out of necessity. A protective layer against the cold and rains of the unforgiving Atlantic Ocean.

 

Each sweater features between four and six stitch patterns in vertical columns. One of these stitch patterns usually takes center stage in the main body of the sweater.

 

So the first Aran sweaters appeared in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This was due to an initiative by the Congested Districts Board. The Republic of Ireland was still under British rule at the time. The Congested Districts Board was established in 1891 by the First Earl of Balfour, the then Chief Secretary of Ireland.

The organization was set up to combat poverty and improve living conditions in the west of Ireland. Fishing communities were particularly poverty-stricken so the board brought people from the rest of the British Isles to Ireland to teach better fishing techniques. While doing this, they also imparted their craft of knitted fisherman sweaters.

Aran Sweater Stitches

So many myths and legends abound when it comes to the much loved Aran knitting stitches-this is Ireland after all! There is even a claim that Aran stitch patterns appear in the Book of Kells! The more likely explanation is that Aran knitters were inspired by ancient Celtic artwork.

When it comes to the history of Aran knitting, the story goes that the original Aran knitters developed their own stitch patterns which were closely guarded from clan to clan. Patterns were passed down the generations from memory.

Aran Sweater Stitches – Meanings & Symbols

Honeycomb Stitch

The symbol of the hard-working bee. Industry and efficiency were important values for the Islanders. Also believed to bring good fortune to the wearer.

Diamond Stitch

Symbolic of the patchwork farming fields of the Aran Islands. Wishing health and success.

Cable

A representation of the fisherman’s ropes. A prayer for safety and good luck while fishing.

Basket

A symbol of the fisherman’s basket representing the hope of a plentiful catch.

International Fame

The first Aran sweater patterns were published by Patons of England in the 1940s. Popularity was growing and when Grace Kelly appeared in Vogue wearing an Aran sweater in 1950, worldwide fame was inevitable. Many famous people have donned our favorite sweater over the years including Marilyn Monroe, Steve Mc Queen, Elvis, Chris Evans and Taylor Swift.

 

A Lasting Legacy

In 2017, an Aran sweater from the 1940s went on display as part of the “Is Fashion Modern” exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art along with 111 other pieces that have influenced fashion over the past 100 years.

These pieces include the Little Black Dress and Levi Jeans. Further proof of the status of the Aran sweater as a fashion classic and must-have wardrobe staple. Not bad for a piece of clothing that began life as a humble fisherman's sweater on a remote trio of islands off Ireland's Atlantic coast!

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