Here at The Sweater Shop, we pride ourselves in stocking only the very best quality Irish Knitwear and we're unbelievably fortunate to have stocked many our suppliers for more than 35 years, so we're confident in their quality and heritage.
They have the same core values as us as a business which is why we love stocking their beautiful knitwear. Aran Crafts has been designing and creating Irish Aran Sweaters since 1957 so they are one of the longest standing knitwear producers in Ireland.
Introducing Aran Crafts
In 1957, Molly Cullen set up Aran Crafts knitwear in Monasterevin in Kildare after creating stunning Aran designs with her Mother and Grandmother for years. She wanted to create a knitting business that spanned over 100 years and create a legacy for her family to work in for years to come.
he showcased the beauty and intricacy of Irish Aran Sweaters and made Monasterevin a home to her business which was then known as Westend knitwear. Over the years, Aran Crafts has become known with producing the most amazing Irish Aran Sweaters for men, women and, of course, childrens' Aran knitwear using traditional knitting techniques.
Traditional Aran Knitting Technique
Aran Crafts specializes in using traditional Aran knitting techniques to create their unique range of styles in Aran sweaters. These techniques have been passed down through generations, and each stitch tells a story.
The intricate stitches used in Aran sweaters have a fascinating history in their symbolic meanings. For example, the cable stitch represents the fisherman's ropes and is said to bring good luck. It is seen as a symbol of safety and protects you from the harsh elements. The diamond stitch symbolizes wealth and success, while the basket stitch represents the fisherman's basket, symbolizing a plentiful catch. We can see these stitches in a selection of ladies and men's styles across their range.
Authentic Irish Craftsmanship
One of the things that sets Aran Crafts apart is their commitment to promoting Irish craftsmanship. Each sweater is made in Ireland by skilled workers who have a deep understanding of the traditional techniques and take great pride in their work. Visiting their factory is so impressive as you see these beautiful intricate designs being made right there, creating employment in the area as well. The attention to detail and the quality of craftsmanship can be seen in every stitch.
Quality Yarn
Aran Crafts only uses the finest quality materials in their knitwear in their extensive range. They source their yarn from reputable suppliers, ensuring that each sweater is made to last a lifetime. Their Aran sweaters are typically made from 100% merino wool, which is known for its softness, warmth, and durability. Merino wool is also breathable, which means that you can wear in the summer to keep you cool and in the winter to keep you hot, making it the perfect yarn for the cable knits to be made in. It is in one of our all time fave yarns and for good reason.
Some of our favorite styles from Aran Crafts
1. First up and without a doubt our most popular sweater is the Irish Aran Side Zip Cardigan. This stunning Irish cardigan is a complete show stopper every year with its beautiful combination of stitches including the classic honeycomb stitch be seen clearly throughout the front and back, making it a Irish design classic. Available in a variety of fab colors, we absolutely love the royal blue as it is a stand out color mixing traditional design with a modern twist. Customers love seeing contemporary styles appearing each year to their collection.
2. Secondly and another firm favorite of ours is the Irish Aran Hooded Coat. This really is a truly magnificent coat that you will never want to take off. Featured a 3/4 length style, this chic, fashionable and practical garment will take you from day time to evening all the while making you look fabulous. Ideal for the school run instead of a coat, this Aran coatigan is a must have year round piece. Check out our range of colors here.
3. As one of the biggest Knitwear manufacturers in Ireland, Aran Crafts is known for its classic Unisex Aran Sweater made of 100% Merino Wool of course. Whether you're interested in matching his and her Aran Sweaters or into a brighter yarns, we have you covered. There's something in store to suit everyone's taste. We have seen Fashion icons all over the world wearing the Classic Natural Aran Sweater, from Marilyn Monroe to Taylor Swift so we can see how this beautiful sweater has grown in popularity over the years and continues to do so. Every year on St Patricks Day, we sell out of the army green classic sweater as it is such a beautiful garment that stands the test of time.
4.A sweater that has blown us away with its popularity is the unisex lightweight Pure wool Aran sweater. This is a great sweater for anyone who loves the outdoors and needs a good quality and hard wearing sweater. It is made of pure wool and is light weight so is perfect for all temperatures. We absolutely adore the moss green sweater which goes so well with denim jeans. This fisherman sweater is also on special offer at the moment, down to 54.90 euro which makes it such a dream sweater in so many ways. Another color that is so versatile is the denim pure wool sweater which also goes great with denim but is perfect for over your favorite dress too.
5. For those living in colder climates, the chunky collar merino wool coat is a must have for your wardrobe. Featuring the most luxurious large collar, this piece of clothing from Aran Crafts Knitwear Collection is going to keep you cozy, snug and looking extremely stylish all Winter long. Wear it instead of your regular coat to show off your Irish heritage and you are bound to keep compliments coming your way. We can see the popular stitches throughout this gorgeous coatigan such as the much loved honeycomb stitch and moss stitch to name a few. Available in four incredible colors, this really is a sophisticated style that will be sure to turn heads.
Experience Aran Crafts Knitwear Today
If you're interested in viewing Aran Crafts Collection and are looking for a personalized experience, then why not come into any of our stores in Ireland and our dedicated team will help you. With stores in Dublin, Galway and Kilkenny, we are never too far out of reach. One of the family members are generally on the floor if you want to hear from them too.
Alternatively, you can reach us by phone or email and order directly from us online. We also have a handy size guide here if are undecided on sizes for your Irish sweaters (or who to buy them for!). Our customer service team online would be more than happy to help you.
We're so proud to stock a large range of Aran Crafts and looking forward to stocking them for another 35 years!