{"title":"Irish Sweaters","description":"Irish sweaters are a labour of love, originally crafted by the women of the Aran Islands for their loved ones to wear at sea or out in the fields, facing harsh weather conditions. The three Aran Islands are Inis Mor, Inis Meain and Inis Oirr and the traditional lifestyle here has been preserved in the knitting patterns we still see today. Irish sweaters can take more than one hundred hours to knit and can involve many thousands of stitches. \n\u003cp\u003eIrish sweaters are made of wool, which was the most readily available material for clothing, and it proved to be a practical choice as well as looking great. Wool is an excellent material for regulating the body temperature, keeping the wearer warm in cold weather by keeping out the cold air and helping to cool the body in warmer weather by allowing the skin to breathe and wicking away sweat. The layers of cable knit stitching that we associate with Aran sweaters today help to improve the insulating properties of the garments, trapping the heat of the body and protecting against cold winds. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWool also has waterproof properties, largely due to the oils that occur naturally in the fibres. A woollen sweater can take on 30% of its weight in water before it feels wet, and this is a very useful quality when spending a lot of time outdoors in the Irish climate! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditionally, Irish sweaters would have been made with the wool of lambs and sheep native to Ireland, and many of our beautiful designs are still made with Irish wool. However, Merino wool is one of the most popular choices for making Irish sweaters today, and this is often imported as Merino sheep require a warmer climate to thrive. Merino wool is a much softer wool than that of the sheep native to Ireland but is strong and durable so is the ideal choice for garments that will last a lifetime. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you are choosing an Irish sweater, check that the design you love has been made in Ireland. Here at Weaver’s of Ireland, the integrity of traditional Irish craftsmanship is at the core of everything we do so you can be sure that our selection of Irish sweaters is made locally. Our sweaters are almost all made from 100% wool, although some are blended with cashmere to give them a luxurious feel. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to care for your Irish Sweater\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne bonus of wearing wool is that it does not need washing often. We recommend hanging your sweater up to air in between wears and only washing it when it is dirty or smells bad. When it does need a wash, follow these simple steps for the best results: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFill your sink or bowl with cool water and add a splash of wool detergent, checking that this is suitable for the type of wool your sweater is made from. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGently submerge your sweater into the water and allow it to soak for 30 minutes. Do not move it around too much in the water to avoid matting the fibres. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRinse your sweater to remove all of the detergent. You can do this by gently running it under a cool tap or by re-filling the sink or bowl with clean water and submerging the sweater until all the detergent is removed. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTake your sweater out of the water and press it between towels to absorb as much water as possible before lying it flat on a towel to dry. Reshape your sweater as you lie it flat and remove the towel when most of the water has been absorbed. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaring for your Irish sweater correctly will help it to maintain its shape and keep the fibres in good condition. An Irish sweater is an investment in your wardrobe and your lifestyle, so it is worth looking after it to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. Irish sweaters are designed to become heirloom pieces, handed down through the generations, and if they are well cared for, they will endure for many years to come. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFind Irish Sweaters at Weavers of Ireland \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Irish sweaters at Weavers of Ireland are carefully selected to represent the traditional crafts that have sustained communities here for many years. We have a beautiful range of sweaters and cardigans that feature intricate stitches that reflect the heritage of the Aran Islands and share the legends and heritage of this area with the world. We also have a selection of shawls, scarves and blankets that are made by Irish artisans, as well as clothing and toys for children and babies that will become family heirlooms. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe have stores across Ireland for you to visit or you can browse the online catalogue at \u003ca href=\"%%GLOBAL_ShopPathSSL%%\"\u003eWeavers of Ireland\u003c\/a\u003e. You’ll find items of clothing and gifts that will be treasured for years to come, and our friendly staff will be happy to help you find the perfect options for you and your loved ones.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/weaversofireland.com\/en-eu\/collections\/irish-sweaters.oembed","provider":"Weavers of Ireland","version":"1.0","type":"link"}