Rugged Beauty

A ran knitwear was designed to provide practical, warm clothing to keep the Islanders warm and dry through the long winter months.

The origins of Aran cable knitting go back as far as the 17th century. Knitted from pure wool, these jumpers were not only a practical garment, but also have distinctive and intricately woven patterns. Many consider cable knitting to reach its heights with Aran knitwear.

Most of the island’s inhabitants were either farmers or fisherman. Each sweater told of “clans”, almost like a family crest, and these patterns were jealously guarded and passed down from generation to generation, becoming an extremely significant marker of Irish tradition and heritage. The patterns told a story of the lives and each jumper had its own story and was created uniquely for its wearer. Some believe that the jumpers