The comfort and allure of a finely spun sweater is perhaps nowhere more prominent than in the traditional Aran Sweater. With roots stretching back to the haunting Aran Islands in Ireland, these sweaters have a rich and unique history. Also known as Gansey or Fisherman jumpers, these sweaters were originally made with untreated wool which allowed for them to be worn when wet. This could perhaps be the reason that they came to be called Fishermen Jumpers.
Often found in cream or off white colors, this sweater is characterized by deep cablework and intricate stitch work. Many of the symbols that the stitches represent are symbolic and have cultural and religious meaning. Another reason why the Aran is known as the Fisherman’s sweater is because of the large use of the basket stitch which could stand for the fisherman’s basket and the hope that they would be successful in catching a lot of fish.
When looking for a genuine Aran sweater today, there are several options to choose from. Of course, unless you are an actual fisherman, you wouldn’t want a sweater with untreated wool or yarn. This may prove very uncomfortable and there is a wide variety of washable and soft wool yarns available on the market today. Typically, you would want to stick to Arans made in white, cream, or off white, simply because that is what the Arans are known for. Classic cream or off white sweaters with beautiful cablework across the chest will alert everyone that you are sporting an Aran sweater.
Whether or not you choose a heavy weight yarn like wool or bulk weight acrylic is a personal choice. These types of yarn weights work well in the winter, which is usually the time of year that people don Aran sweaters. However, if you want to wear these types of sweaters in the Fall, then you can opt for one made out of a slightly lighter weight yarn, like a medium weight.
You can find Arans in stores and they can be both hand or machine made. Hand made Arans are beautiful and often have more personality and charm because they are unique, both in texture and color. However, these types of sweaters might be very costly because of the time required to construct. Also, different types of yarns are more expensive than others and this can also raise the expense of a hand knit Aran.
Machine made Arans are usually much cheaper, but you will find some limitations. These sweaters may be made with less expensive yarn which means that they might not be as durable. Machine made sweaters also have cable work that looks flatter and less prominent because of the way the machine handles cables. Either option you chose comes with their own challenges. The best way to combat this is to find a reliable and reputable store that you can trust to provide you with quality items. High end stores that carry designer items may also have Arans that are of excellent quality and come in either hand or machine made. Having an Aran is a wonderful way to enjoy history and stay warm at the same time.
Sinead Cummins is a freelance blogger who writes on fashion
