This is part 42 of our Ireland Trip, and today we continue to explore the Dingle Peninsula in western Ireland, that faces the Atlantic Ocean. In this blog you'll learn the Secret of Aran Sweaters. ARAN SWEATERS - Aran sweaters are world-famous and originated from the Aran Islands, located off the west coast of Ireland.
The Aran knitting techniques were developed in the first century, and were made for fisherman and farmers in this cold climate. Each family or clan has its own stitch! In fact, we learned that the Aran sweaters were often used to help identify bodies of fishermen washed up on the beach following an accident at sea. An official register of these historic patterns has been compiled, and can be seen in the Aran Sweater Market on the Aran Islands.
MEANINGS OF THE DIFFERENT STITCHES - Some stitches include the cable, diamond, Irish moss, zig zag and tree of life stitches.
1) The Cable Stitch - depicts fisherman's ropes, and represents
a wish for a fruitful day at sea. 2) The Diamond Stitch -indicates small fields of the islands. They're sometimes filled with Irish moss stitch showing seaweed for harvest (wishing for success).
3) The Zig Zag Stitch (a half diamond) -represents the twisting cliff paths on the islands.
4) The Tree of Life - shows importance of the clan, and is an expression of a desire for clan unity, with long-lived parents and strong children.
To learn more about Aran Sweaters, visit: www.aransweatermarket.com/history-of-aran-sweaters
*NEXT: WHAT ARE THE MYSTERIOUS OGHAN STONES?
VIDEO: The Story of the Aran Sweater: https://youtu.be/rDDE-ZwCaZo
