The Aran sweater, an emblem of both the Aran Islands, and indeed of Ireland itself, is a unique fusion of art and practicality. From its origins, the sweater has been intimately linked to clans and their identities. The sweaters were, and remain, a reflection of the lives of the knitters, and their families.



There are two important elements that set a traditional Aran knit apart from all others. The first is the yarn itself. A proper Aran knit is made with rough, cream-colored wool, known as bainin (pronounced bawneen). The yarn comes from sheep that have coats that protect them from the rugged weather. When the wool is spun and prepared for knitting, part of the oil is left in the wool; as a result, it has both water-resistant and insulating properties.

The other difference between an authentic Aran and other intricately-knit sweaters is in the meaning of the stitches and the stitches themselves: The names of the traditional stitches write their own poem: blackberry, diamond, honeycomb, moss, lobster claw, ladder, plait, bobble, link, basketweave, tree of life. There are almost two dozen, and the combinations are infinite.

Today, the demand for the Aran Sweater continues to grow. Hands knit Aran Sweaters have become rare and valuable. They are highly sought after for their quality, their history, and the clan heritage they represent. Despite the huge increase in fashion goods available, the Aran Sweater remains an item of timeless beauty,

Find a wide range of beautiful, handmade, stitched Irish Aran sweaters in different styles, sizes and glorious colors at Murphy's. Keep yourself warm and cosy on chilly winter nights with these high quality Irish Aran Sweaters.

Visit Murphy of Ireland and find a wide range of men's Aran Sweaters made to the highest traditional standards in quality.