Aran Sweaters for the Irish

**Birddog** · 26th June 08, 07:15 AM

For those of us who are Irish or of Irish heritage, this may be of interest. Many Irish clans have their own knitting pattern used in Aran sweaters. If your not familiar with these sweaters, they are phenomenal. I already own one, but when I bought mine, I couldn't find my clan. Now that has changed. So if your interested in finding out if your family has a pattern, go here...

http://www.clanarans.com/ca/catalog/...579735c95dbfbe

**Splash_4** · 26th June 08, 07:23 AM

You dirty dog, you! Now your going to spend some of my kilt fund on a Aran sweater for this winter. Thanks for the link, though.

**JRB** · 26th June 08, 07:40 AM

That's really cool, but I didn't see my wife's Irish family surname (Kerwin/Kirwan) on the list.

**Woodsheal** · 26th June 08, 07:46 AM

No Ford/Forde neither...

**vmac3205** · 26th June 08, 07:50 AM

What a great website for a knitter! Thank you

**irishrob** · 26th June 08, 07:56 AM

Guys, not to rain on anyone's parade, but....I was told by more than one source when we were in Ireland, that the "stories" about family designs/patterns on Irish sweaters are exactly the same "legends" of family designs/tartans for Scottish kilts!!! Ain't so, just another case of the receipt of American dollars is proportionate to the amount of blarney based on using the family name. Having said that, there are some interesting designs being plugged as historical family themes and I have 2 hand knitted Irish sweaters that are second only to the ones knitted from the wool of my own sheep.

Rob

**James MacMillan** · 26th June 08, 08:02 AM

Just what the

do you think you are doing? You are an evil, mean, despicable person! :buttkick: How dare you expose me to another way to track patterns (Isn't tartan enough?) of clothing. Don't you think that I have enough ways to spend my money?

Don't ever, ever, ever ask to be on my friends list.........I will remember your extreme wickedness! :sux:

OK, now that I have that off my chest - - - and am a little bit calmer - - Neat!

**Birddog** · 26th June 08, 08:50 AM

Don't know about it being a myth. I know when I was in Shannon I didn't hear anything about that, but you never know. I love the one I already own; great for winter days, and will look great with my kilt. I do know the sweater that I have had for more than 10 years has someone's surname on it.