Autumn / Winter 2011

Inis Meáin Knitting company delves into the rich repertoire of Aran Knitting to produce modern versions of the ancient classics. Each family had their own “handwriting”, their own combination of patterns, often decorative patterns inspired by the landscape, the sea and the work associated with land and sea.

Very often they made minimalist sweaters for work and everyday wear. Simple moss and ribbing inspired by the fields and potato gardens was the patterning on the work-wear sweaters.

Or the decorative pattern was just added to the top half of the sweater for more restrained decoration. Richer patterning with cables and diamonds in the natural colour of the wool was more often for Sunday wear or for the little boys for their first communion or their confirmation. Colour (other than indigo, black and natural) was also used, again for decoration and festive wear.

This season we have revived a hundred year old sweater which is called the “Máirtín Beag” after the local fisherman who used to wear it.