How Did Famous Irish Knitting Appear
Well-known sweaters, made in Irish knitting technique with its peculiar ornaments, originated in ancient times on the Aran Islands, located in the west of the country.
In this article, I will talk about history of Irish knitting, basic patterns, used in knitting sweaters, their connection to Celtic art and Christianity.
1. Aran Knitting
Peoples, living in Western Europe, were inextricably connected to the sea, so they needed protection from cold, harsh winds. Since the 12th century, they had been knitting clothes with high collar without any closings — sweaters.
Sweaters in different countries had their own decor. Aran fishermen created their unique world-famous sweaters.
Sweaters were made from raw wool with fat, which made them water-proof and warm. When a peculiar manner of knitting was invented — intertwined relief patterns filled the entire sweater surface, so that it was thicker — a sweater became much warmer.
But it was not their practicality that made them famous. It was thanks to ancient pagan and Christian ornaments, embodied in interlacing loops.
2. Basic Patterns and Their Connection with Celtic Art and Christianity
In ancient times, the Celts brought their culture to Ireland and nearby islands. In the 5th - 6th centuries, when Jesus Christ was born, Ireland became one of the main centres of Christian culture.
Scientists have many hypothesis and assumptions because of the ornaments, used by Irish people to create their clothes. Currently, it is very difficult to determine the meaning of individual elements of ornaments, their specific meaning. After all, many centuries have passed since those signs had magical meaning.
However, it is unanimously believed that many ornaments are linked to Celtic art. Thus, simple continuous lines (Figure 1) are perceived as a symbol of eternity.
Ribbons of intertwining lines represent one of the most ancient motifs among Celtic ornaments. These patterns came from carved stone tombstones and hand-written books to Aran fishermen's sweaters and other knitted items.
Figure 1. Reconstruction of Celtic pattern
But researchers believe that patterns have religious meaning, symbolizing Christianity. Thus, one of the motifs, known to Russian knitters, is called "Trinity" on the Aran Islands (Figure 2). Its knitting as if represents the Holy Trinity, when three laps make one lap, and then one lap makes three.
Figure 2. "Trinity" Pattern
Figure 3. "Life Ladder" Pattern
Knitting simple pattern, called "Life Ladder" (Figure 3), or "Jacob's Ladder" sometimes, means desire for eternal life for dwellers on the Aran Islands.
Irish peasants` mind intertwines both Christian and pagan motifs, they mean prayers and spells on Irish sweaters.
So, "Grain" pattern (Figure 4), by means of which inner part of rhombuses is filled, is considered to bring abundance, while "chains" mean strong relations.
Figure 4. "Grain" Pattern
"Honeycomb" pattern (Figure 5) brings prosperity to house and sweater owner.
Figure 5. "Honeycomb" Pattern
Waiting for a boy to be born, knit "Tree of Life" pattern (Figure 6), it is one of the oldest symbols and motifs in the history of mankind, indicating indissoluble connection of a tree with life and well-being of a country or a hero. Today, the Irish believe that tree branches are sons, while a trunk is a family that supports them.
Figure 6. "Tree of Life" Pattern
Many archaic peoples, including dwellers of the Aran Islands, understand broken and wavy lines (Figure 7) as a spring, water necessary for human life. Also, they symbolize a snake, identical to water sign.
Figure 7
The Irish especially love knitting rhombus (Figure 8) and "honeycomb" patterns, as they mean well-being.
According to scientists, rhombus knitted pattern, which has a mesh ornament inside, represents an ancient symbol of a ploughed field. Two rhombuses pattern in eight-figure form is considered a dragon sign, the guardian of treasures.
Figure 8. "Rhombus" Pattern
The islanders never wrote knitting motifs down. Each family passed them from generation to generation. Since ancient times, each clan and each family had their own motifs, and today every village and every family also creates them, so it is easy to determine place where a sweater was made, and even a person who knitted it.
Although Aran knitters have no theoretical knowledge about composition and ornament principles, their sweaters follow all theoretical rules strictly. They learn how to create harmonious patterns from childhood.
Irish Knitting Today
Knitting techniques, invented on the Aran Islands, are now widespread throughout Ireland. As a result, this knitting is now called Irish, and the sweater is a national pride and a show piece of Ireland.
Today, the Irish sweater is among fashion favourites. Being one of classic themes of a modern look, it does not leave catwalks where famous designers present their collections.