Aran knitting patterns

Aran knitting patterns are designs which are in common use by knitters in the Aran Islands, which are located off the west coast of Ireland from County Galway and County Clare. The traditional differences in the patterns from island to island are used as a means of identifying the inhabitants' origins. The patterns are knitted into socks, hats, vests, scarves, mittens, afghans, pillow covers,[1] and, most commonly, sweaters.[2]

History

The knitting patterns used by the Aran Islanders were created sometime before 800 AD, at which time the book of Kells,[3] includes a picture of an Aran style sweater. However, the use and evolution of the patterns on the islands themselves began after hand knitting was introduced there in the 17th century.[2]

The stitches that create the Aran knitting patterns are complex and the knitted goods are time-consuming to create. For example, a typical Aran sweater will have over 100,000 stitches, and may take several months to finish.

Sweaters, and other knitted items with the distinctive Aran design have for many years been worn by the Aran Islanders as symbols of pride in their origins. The patterns used to create the designs were held in secrecy by the local knitters. Oftentimes the sweaters would assist in identify dead fishermen who washed up onshore after accident at sea.[4]

The three dimensional effect of the twisted stitches also increased the warmth of the clothing by creating air pockets.[2]

Meanings of the stitches

There are many combinations of stitches and each has its own meaning.[5] The meanings of some of these stitches have been embellished in recent times since the knitting became a commercial enterprise.[6]

Cable stitch

Aran Knitting Patterns, Cable Stitch

The cable stitch, which is the most common type of stitch seen on Aran sweaters, was originally used to represent a fisherman’s ropes,[7] and some fishermen believed that wearing one would ensure a fruitful day out at sea. There are many different type of cable stitches. The technique for cabling, which involves crossing one stitch over another is one of the easier stitches.

The row on which the stitches crossed over each other is known as the turning row. After the turning row, several plain rows are worked, followed by another turning row. Standard cables have the same number of plain rows between turning rows as there are stitches in the cable.[8]

Diamond stitch

Diamond Aran Knitting Pattern

The diamond stitch symbolises the small fields on the islands. These fields would have been worked extensively by local farmers of the time. This stitch is represents hopes of good luck, success and wealth in farming on the Aran Islands.[9] Diamond patterns were also used to represent the fishing nets.[10]

In knitting there are many types of diamond patterns; the one in the picture is the particular type common to the Aran Islands.

Zig Zag stitch

Aran Knitting Patterns, The Zig Zag Stitch

On the Aran Islands zig zag stitches represent the typical highs and low of matrimony and marriage life.[9] They sometimes also represented the twisting cliff paths that are on the islands. The illustration shows how the people of the Aran island used the Zig Zag stitch technique.

Honeycomb stitch

Aran Knitting Patterns, the honeycomb stitch

In Aran knitting patterns the honeycomb stitch would represent both hard work and its rewards.[11] The honeycomb stitch is said locally to be a lucky stitch, signifying plenty and in the case of fishermen a good catch.[9]

When only one repetition of the pattern is used, the honeycomb stitch is also known as the Chain Cable. This is as is quite common in Aran Knitting Patterns.

Each honeycomb stitch pattern takes eight rows, and the rows are repeated to create the patterns.

Trellis stitch

Aran Knitting Patterns, The Trellis Stitch

The trellis stitch is a filling stitch used in hand embroidery. In the Aran Islands, the trellis stitch refers to the stone-walled fields of the Northwestern farming communities, in the upland areas in Ireland where rock outcrops naturally or large stones exist in quantity in the soil such as in the Aran Islands.

This stitch symbolises the landscape patterns created by fields fenced in with roughly packed stones that offer protection from strong island winds. The stitch is useful for adding dimension, especially when stitched in a circle. The trellis stitch is used in Stumpwork quite a bit.

Tree of Life stitch

Aran Knitting Patterns, the tree of life stitch

The Tree of Life stitch represents the importance of the clan, clan unity, strong parents and healthy children. It also refers to the various stages of life. It is sometimes given a religious significance, symbolising a pilgrims path to salvation.[10] This stitch is also known as the Trinity stitch.

Aran knitting patterns in modern times

In recent years Aran knitting patterns are being used in many types of knitted handwork, such as hats,[12] scarve,skirts,[13] and even decorative pillows[14]

Many of the Aran Islanders have left to find work on the Irish mainland, taking their knitting skills with them,[15] and today the patterns are being used by knitters around the world, and the sweaters have become an Irish export commodity.[4]

Because the knitting is time consuming and requires considerable knitting skill, hand-knit Aran-style items can be quite expensive and are in limited supply. Because of this, the availability of machine made Aran knitted items has greatly increased over the years. However, there are still people and companies who hand-knit clothing using the traditional Aran knitting patterns.

References

  1. ↑ Knitting: techniques and projects. Lane Pub. Co. 1976. ISBN 978-0-376-04431-0.
  2. 1 2 3 Catherine Amoroso Leslie (1 January 2007). Needlework Through History: An Encyclopedia. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 10–. ISBN 978-0-313-33548-8.
  3. ↑ Starmore, Alice (1997). Aran Knitting. David & Charles.
  4. 1 2 Annette Lynch; Mitchell D. Strauss (30 October 2014). Ethnic Dress in the United States: A Cultural Encyclopedia. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 16–. ISBN 978-0-7591-2150-8.
  5. ↑ "Aran Isle Sweaters - how a dropped stitch gave rise to a popular myth.". Irish Culture and Custome. by Bridget Haggerty
  6. ↑ "Aran Stitches and their Meanings". Ireland from the Inside.
  7. ↑ Sally Walton (29 October 2010). Sweet and Simple Knitting Projects: Teach Yourself. Hodder & Stoughton. pp. 12–. ISBN 978-1-4441-3412-4.
  8. ↑ Weiss, Rita (2009). 50 Knit Aran Stitches. Leisure Arts.
  9. 1 2 3 Richard Panchyk (1 September 2004). American Folk Art for Kids: With 21 Activities. Chicago Review Press. pp. 55–. ISBN 978-1-61374-119-1.
  10. 1 2 Brian De Breffny (October 1983). Ireland, a cultural encyclopaedia. Facts on File. ISBN 978-0-87196-260-7.
  11. ↑ Outlet; Outlet Book Company Staff; Rh Value Publishing (12 December 1988). Complete Book of Handicrafts. Random House Value Publishing. ISBN 978-0-517-11667-8.
  12. ↑ name="Feller2012">Carol Feller (2 February 2012). Contemporary Irish Knits. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 7–. ISBN 978-1-118-29535-9.
  13. ↑ Carol Feller (2 February 2012). Contemporary Irish Knits. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 7–. ISBN 978-1-118-29535-9.
  14. ↑ http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/knitting/aran_pillow.php
  15. ↑ Michael Pearson (16 January 2015). Traditional Knitting: Aran, Fair Isle and Fisher Ganseys. Courier Dover Publications. pp. 222–. ISBN 978-0-486-46053-6.
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