Irish Knits known as Fisherman's sweaters and Arans are usually grouped in with the British Isle's Guernseys, Jerseys. These knitted items contain any combination of stitches, depending on the particular clan pattern being followed. Many of the stitches used in the Aran Sweater are reflective of Celtic Art, and comparisons have been drawn between the stitches and patterns found at Neolithic burial sites.
Each stitch carries its own unique meaning, a historic legacy from the lives of the Island community many years ago. The Cable Stitch is a depiction of the fisherman's ropes, and represents a wish for a fruitful day at sea. The Diamond Stitch reflects the small fields of the islands. These diamonds are sometimes filled with Irish moss stitch, depicting the seaweed that was used to fertilize the barren fields and produce a good harvest. Hence the diamond stitch is a wish for success and wealth. The Zig Zag Stitch, a half diamond, is often used in the Aran Sweaters, and popularly represents the twisting cliff paths on the islands. The Tree of Life is one of the original stitches, and is unique to the earliest examples of the Aran knitwear.
This issue we explore some traditional and a new twist to traditional patterns of Aran and Fisherman's patterns. Cables are feared by newcomers to knitting, but once understood and practiced, it is fun and sometimes a mind challenge.
It's a great practice to knit wash/dishcloths or back scrubbers in a new technique. That is how i started knitting washcloths! I design stitch sequences and knitted items for offshore sweater manufactures. Once they approved a swatch for texture, I was stuck with bits and pieces of knit. Hence, the washcloth or afghan square was created in my house. Get your cable needle out and start knitting some Irish!
Check out the Aran newsletter called " Twists and Turns: The Newsletter For Lovers of Cable Knitting. It is a quarterly magazine about 20 pages, produced by author, teacher and designer Janet Szabo.
Featured each month are designs by Janet and contributors, product and book reviews, technical articles by Janet the author of: Aran Sweater Design.
http://www.twistsandturnnewsletter.com
Recommended Technical Books:
• 250 Creative Knitting Stitches - Volume 4 (Harmony Guides) by Harmony Guide Staff
• 450 Knitting Stitches - Volume 2 (Harmony Guides) by Harmony Guide Staff
• Knitting Techniques - Volume 1 (Harmony Guides) by Harmony Guide Staff
• Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys & Arans by Gladys Thompson
• Arans & Celtics: The Best of Knitter's Magazine by Alexis Xenakis
• Knitting Nature: 39 Designs Inspired by Patterns in Nature by Norah Gaughan
• Cables Untangled: An Exploration of Cable Knitting by Melissa Leapman
Great page to check out:
http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/knitting/
by Maile
Each stitch carries its own unique meaning, a historic legacy from the lives of the Island community many years ago. The Cable Stitch is a depiction of the fisherman's ropes, and represents a wish for a fruitful day at sea. The Diamond Stitch reflects the small fields of the islands. These diamonds are sometimes filled with Irish moss stitch, depicting the seaweed that was used to fertilize the barren fields and produce a good harvest. Hence the diamond stitch is a wish for success and wealth. The Zig Zag Stitch, a half diamond, is often used in the Aran Sweaters, and popularly represents the twisting cliff paths on the islands. The Tree of Life is one of the original stitches, and is unique to the earliest examples of the Aran knitwear.
This issue we explore some traditional and a new twist to traditional patterns of Aran and Fisherman's patterns. Cables are feared by newcomers to knitting, but once understood and practiced, it is fun and sometimes a mind challenge.
It's a great practice to knit wash/dishcloths or back scrubbers in a new technique. That is how i started knitting washcloths! I design stitch sequences and knitted items for offshore sweater manufactures. Once they approved a swatch for texture, I was stuck with bits and pieces of knit. Hence, the washcloth or afghan square was created in my house. Get your cable needle out and start knitting some Irish!
Check out the Aran newsletter called " Twists and Turns: The Newsletter For Lovers of Cable Knitting. It is a quarterly magazine about 20 pages, produced by author, teacher and designer Janet Szabo.
Featured each month are designs by Janet and contributors, product and book reviews, technical articles by Janet the author of: Aran Sweater Design.
http://www.twistsandturnnewsletter.com
Recommended Technical Books:
• 250 Creative Knitting Stitches - Volume 4 (Harmony Guides) by Harmony Guide Staff
• 450 Knitting Stitches - Volume 2 (Harmony Guides) by Harmony Guide Staff
• Knitting Techniques - Volume 1 (Harmony Guides) by Harmony Guide Staff
• Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys & Arans by Gladys Thompson
• Arans & Celtics: The Best of Knitter's Magazine by Alexis Xenakis
• Knitting Nature: 39 Designs Inspired by Patterns in Nature by Norah Gaughan
• Cables Untangled: An Exploration of Cable Knitting by Melissa Leapman
Great page to check out:
http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/knitting/
by Maile