Why is it called a fisherman sweater?

Back in the 1950s on the Aran Islands, many of the men were fishermen by trade and, out of necessity to combat the cold and tough conditions of the sea, the women handmade their husbands aran sweaters to keep them warm, hence the name fisherman sweaters we’re all familiar with today.

What do you call a Fishermans jumper?

A gansey (or guernsey) is a hardwearing, hand knitted, woollen jumper which has been worn by fishermen around the coast of Britian for many years.

Why do fishermen wear wool?

Traditionally, fishermen wore hand-knitted jumpers made from untreated wool that retained natural oils – also known as Aran or Guernsey jumpers – to keep warm and dry(ish) whilst out on the Atlantic.

What is an Irish Aran?

Aran Sweaters – Quintessentially Irish Aran is a style of sweater that takes its name from the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. Originally, Aran Sweaters were knitted using unscoured wool that retained its natural oils which made the garments water-resistant and meant they remained wearable even when wet.

What are Aran jumpers named after?

The Aran jumper (Irish: Geansaí Árann) is a style of jumper that takes its name from the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland.

Why are cable knit sweaters expensive?

“Cables take a really long time to knit. the longer it’s going to take and the more expensive it’s going to be to knit your sweater. The cost from the factory is based mostly on how long it takes.”

Why is it called cable knit sweater?

Legend has it that the design dates back to the ‘Aran sweater’ of the 1800s, with different Celtic clans having a unique cable pattern. This, in turn, was said to provide a way of identifying the bodies of fishermen who drowned at sea.

Are fisherman sweaters in style?

If you could only have one sweater in your wardrobe, the perfect choice would be an Aran, or fisherman’s sweater. It has all-season versatility (ok, maybe not all summer), and is classic yet fashionable. Luckily, since it will probably last your lifetime, it never really goes out of style.

What is Irish wool?

1. Irish Wool – This is wool that is taken from an Irish sheep. It can be corse and some find this type of wool in their Aran sweater itchy to wear. Aran Sweaters were knitted using unscoured wool that kept its natural oils which made the sweaters water-resistant and meant they remained wearable even in wet weather.

What does Aran mean in knitting?

Aran yarns are also called “medium yarns”. They are thicker than the DK yarns and are often stronger and more rigid. If you need a heavier yarn that looks kind of delicate, you could use Aran. Sometimes this term gets mixed up with the original Aran sweaters.

Are Aran sweaters Irish or Scottish?

What kind of sweater do fishermen wear?

Fisherman Sweaters. The classic Aran sweater is the original fisherman sweater. They were handmade by the Aran Islanders from untreated wool which was waterproof and gave much-needed protection to the fishermen from the wild Atlantic. Today, this humble fisherman knit sweater has become a style classic and a staple for any discerning wardrobe.

What is an Aran sweater?

The classic Aran sweater is the original fisherman sweater. They were handmade by the Aran Islanders from untreated wool which was waterproof and gave much-needed protection to the fishermen from the wild Atlantic. Today, this humble fisherman knit sweater has become a style classic and a staple for any discerning wardrobe.

What is a cable stitch sweater?

The cable stitch depicts fisherman’s ropes and a wish to catch many fish. Originally, these sweaters were made with lambswool that left the natural lanolin oils of the animal intact. Lanolin is naturally water repellent so a great deal of seawater or rain wouldn’t bother the wearer.

What are Merino wool sweaters made of?

These beautiful sweaters are traditionally made from 100\% merino wool. Local fishermen traditionally wore these sweaters. The wool used is traditionally unscoured, which ensures that they kept the natural oils within the wool and as a result made them water resistant and very warm.