Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow… Wrap Up Warm in your Aran Knitwear this Christmas  

As the festive season approaches, there is something special about returning to your favourite traditions, and Aran knitwear is a key part of this for people all over the world. Maybe you feel the buzz of festive excitement when you hear the first Christmas carol on the radio, or when you light your open fire for the first time… there’s nothing quite like the personal realisation that we’re about to experience the most wonderful time of the year. 

Just thinking about our favourite seasonal traditions gets us feeling warm and cosy here at Aran Sweater Market, and we’re delighted with the Fairisle Snowflake Zip-Neck Aran, which is set to become a firm favourite for Aran fans all over the world this year. It’s the perfect winter sweater, and you know that the high quality of our sweaters is incomparable, so this will become a key part of your festive wardrobe for many years to come. 

Aran for All Seasons

Aran sweaters are the ideal choice for cosy nights at the coldest time of the year, and our new Fairisle Snowflake Zip-Neck Aran Sweater captures the festive flavour perfectly. The half-zip is a classic design that is practical and versatile as well as looking great, and the design exudes festive charm that endures beyond the mass produced ‘Christmas Jumper’. The Fairisle snowflake pattern is available in white, red and charcoal, and this is sure to be a festive look you and your family can embrace for years to come.  

As with all of our Aran knitwear, you can depend on this sweater to last a lifetime when you take good care of it. The Fairisle sweater is made from 100% soft Merino wool that helps to regulate your temperature, whatever the weather. It doesn’t require endless washing but can simply be hung up to air between wears, and it’s the perfect choice for layering up for indoor and outdoor occasions. Aran sweaters have been the go-to items for warmth and protection against the elements for centuries, and the history of Ireland echoes in every stitch. 

Your Own Piece of Irish Heritage 

Aran knitwear has a very special place in Ireland’s heritage, and especially the Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland, near Galway. For centuries, the Aran sweater and the cardigans and wraps that have evolved from it, have been knitted and worn on these shores for protection against the elements and to keep the farmers and fishermen in these remote communities warm while working. These designs were created with a range of unique stitches to reflect the lives of the families living in this isolated part of the world, and as they have become popular all over the globe, they have retained their original style and practicality. 

Since the 1950s, Aran sweaters have been seen as a high fashion choice, gracing the cover of Vogue and becoming a popular choice for celebrities and fashionistas everywhere. They play an important role in the history of Ireland and its people, and we are proud that every sweater in our collection helps to preserve the traditional Irish crafts of knitting and weaving for future generations. Each sweater is beautifully presented, with a signed and stamped Certificate of Authenticity, recognising the tradition it represents as well as the quality of the wool and craftsmanship with which it is made. 

Dress for the Winter in Style  

The Fairisle Snowflake Zip-Neck Aran is a subtle festive choice that will add a touch of seasonal style to any outfit but is not too heavily embellished to wear every day. If you are determined to master the art of winter style this year, this is your perfect companion, and you’ll love the matching Fairisle Snowflake Aran Hat and scarf, which are made in the same design from gorgeous, natural wool.    

The Fairisle Snowflake Aran Scarf is a stunning essential that is ideal for wrapping up warm when the weather gets cold, and you’ll reach for this again and again, whether you’re taking a winter walk or heading into town to do your Christmas shopping. It’s a soft, generous knit that is available in festive red, classic charcoal or winter white, and you can layer it up with your Fairisle sweater and hat for the ultimate in warm, cosy style. The matching hat is made from soft Merino wool and is a great choice for every occasion.

If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift, the sweater, hat and scarf make the perfect combination for someone special, or you can pair the scarf and hat for a gorgeous thank you gift at this time of the year. You can embrace the matching family tradition with the same Snowflake designs for every family member, and even wear these stunning sweaters for your festive photo cards. And don’t forget to put cosy knitwear at the top of your own Christmas list this year - you’ll be spoilt for choice with our selection! 

Knitted to Last

Aran knitwear is designed to last a lifetime, so you can relax in the knowledge that you won’t need to replace your new favourite sweater when the season changes. These garments are a great alternative to throwaway fashion, offering good investments in comfort and quality that will last for many years to come, and they’ll become softer with every wear. 

Fast fashion is damaging our planet, and Aran sweaters, made from organic, natural materials, are a great way to combat this. Choosing unique, stylish pieces such as these enables you to make the most of classic designs that incorporate traditional stitching patterns such as the cable stitch and honeycomb stitch which make Aran knitwear instantly recognisable. The cable stitch, for instance, is said to represent the ropes of the fishermen who first wore these sweaters in their daily lives. Passing on our legends in the cosy clothing we wear is a very special tradition and we love to see the same knitwear in our festive photos every year. 

A meaningful gift shows that you value someone, and these gorgeous sweaters are the perfect expression of love and care. In our disposable culture, gifts that are made to last stand out for their thoughtfulness, and you can reduce your own carbon footprint as well as those of your loved ones when you wear - and gift - natural wool Aran sweaters. Slow fashion is a very real way to take positive action for the environment, investing in pieces that are made from top quality materials by artisan producers and designed to last for decades. 

Christmas Traditions in Ireland 

What are your favourite festive traditions? Whether you celebrate Christmas, the Solstice or Hannukah, you’ll probably have inherited or created traditions that involve food, family and friends. Many festivals at this time of the year include lights - whether adorning the Christmas tree with fairy lights or lighting the Menorah - and this is likely to be a practical tradition in response to the darkness at this time of the year. 

For Irish Catholics, the festive season traditionally begins on 8th December with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and many people use this date to put up decorations and Christmas trees. Celebrations in your local area, as well as Christmas parties at work and with friends, usually take place in December, and traditions may continue to shape the festivities until 6th January, which is traditionally the date on which decorations and Christmas trees are taken down. 

Some of our top Christmas traditions here in Ireland include:

1. Midnight Mass. Midnight mass is a special occasion in many Catholic communities and this is a religious tradition that many who are not regular churchgoers join in with. These services are often a beautiful way to come together with others and celebrate this special time of the year, and many families enjoy the opportunity to dress up warmly and share the occasion. 

1. Christmas Candles. In Ireland, many people still place a candle in the window as the darkness falls on Christmas Eve. This symbolises the welcoming of Mary and Joseph in the Nativity, and some say that it has been practiced since Catholicism was outlawed in Ireland during the 16th Century, when candles were placed to indicate where Mass would be offered, or to welcome priests. 

1. Christmas Day Swim. A much more modern tradition, but one that grows in popularity every year, the Christmas Day Swims that take place all over Ireland on Christmas morning are a great chance to demonstrate the fearless Irish spirit as part of your festivities. The water is very cold at this time of the year, so you’ll certainly need a cosy Aran sweater, scarf and hat to wrap up warm afterwards - and don’t forget a hot drink, too!

1. Women’s Christmas. Envied by women all over the world, the 6th January sees the Irish celebrate Women’s Christmas or Little Christmas. This is a day traditionally reserved to celebrate women, while their partners, sons and fathers take on the household chores for the day. Traditionally, women headed to their local pubs to let their hair down - and although many now see this as an outdated tradition that reinforces stereotypical gender roles, many people still appreciate the spirit of the day, celebrating those who have often made Christmas special for the whole family. Christmas decorations in Ireland have traditionally been taken down at the end of this day. 

1. The local pub. Although it is not restricted to Christmas celebrations, the local pub is still central to many traditions in Ireland and is often bustling with popular events throughout the festive season. Many Irish families get together in the pub at Christmas time and catch up with friends and neighbours they may not have seen much throughout the year. The pub is a core part of the local community and this is especially evident at Christmas time, when connection is more important than ever. 

Your Aran knitwear will become a part of your festive traditions, as you pull on the same Fairisle hat after your Christmas swim or wrap up warm in your Fairisle Snowflake sweater to walk to Midnight Mass. These gorgeous pieces will earn their place in your wardrobe and you’ll reach for them instinctively as the weather turns so that you can build them into your memories every year. 

Aran Sweaters in Christmas Movies 

Admittedly, we’re a little biased when we say that Aran sweaters are the perfect addition to your wardrobe all year round - we just love Aran knitwear! But the rest of the world shares our passion for stylish knitwear in the winter, and our favourite Christmas films show how well loved these sweaters, hats and scarves really are. 

When you’re snuggled up on the sofa, sipping hot chocolate as you watch a Christmas movie, look out for the gorgeous Aran sweaters that your favourite characters are wearing. Think of Cameron Diaz in The Holiday, with her iconic knitwear in every snowy scene, and take a look at the Irish Christmas film, Christmas Perfection, to see just how important it is to pick your festive sweaters wisely!

Festive Aran Sweaters for You and Your Family

At Aran Sweater Market, we know how important it is to create your own festive traditions and we have the perfect selection of knitwear to add to your celebrations. Whether you are looking for the right gifts for your loved ones or the best Christmas sweater for yourself, our Fairisle Aran sweater is just one of the beautiful designs that brings together Irish heritage and contemporary style, with traditional Aran stitching.

Pay a festive visit to one of our stores across Ireland, located in the Aran Islands, Galway, Killarney and Dublin, and let us help you to find your new favourite knitwear. You’ll also discover a stunning selection of Celtic jewellery and tweed handbags made by artisan designers and craftspeople. Preserving Irish heritage for the future is at the core of everything we do, and we look forward to sharing it with you. 

From our family to yours, Nollaig Shona Duit — wishing you a warm and wonderful Christmas wrapped in Aran tradition.