Fraoch Knits Ep. 8; Billie Pullover and a History of Aran Knitting

Hi everyone and welcome to episode 8 of the Fraoch Knits podcast! It's lovely to be back with you after nearly six weeks of a break. I hope you have all had a good rest over the Christmas period and are well back into the swing of things in the New Year. In today's video I take a look at my latest finished object, the Billie Pullover and look at a history of Aran Knitting.
The video includes footage of a trip I made to the Museum of Country Life in Turlough Parke, Co. Mayo last November.
I hope you enjoy the video! If you do please give it a thumbs up and subscribe if you haven't already. Many thanks and happy knitting!
Billie Pullover
Sari Nordlund
Purl Soho Linen Quill Worsted
50% Peruvian Highland Wool, 35% Alpaca, 15% Linen
Sources for information on the History of Aran Knitting
Alice Starmore, Aran Knitting (1997 and 2010)
Vawn Corrigan, Irish Aran History Tradition Fashion 2019
I can also recommend the following podcast:
‪@TheCraftyCailleach‬
The crafty cailleach also has a very good video about the history of Aran knitting

[@scrapbagstudios]

Thank you! I do love hearing the history. I am in Australia now, but I grew up in England and my mother knitted and I learned to knit when I was 3. I remember in the 40s and 50s we knitted with 2 ply, 3 ply and 4 ply only. Somewhere in the 50s Patons brought out a 5 ply and later 6 ply and 8 ply appeared. Much later, probably 70s came 10 ply and 12 ply. But all my early jumpers and cardigans were made with 4 ply or 3 ply. 2 ply was used for very fine lacy jumpers or shawls. I am 82 now so I have been knitting for a long time and I am still learning new ways of creating garments. xo

[@fraochknits]

Margaret thank you so much for this information on the development of knitting from the 40s to the 70s and beyond - what a wealth of experience you have -learning to knit so young as well!! And it's so lovely to hear that after all those years knitting there are still new things to discover. What an incredible art it is. I wish you many more happy year of knitting:)

[@jhenderson2286]

hi Aine, this was such lovely company late on this Sunday night. I love the style of your podcasting. Those jerseys in the Museum are so beautifully intricate, but at the same time not at all fussy - hard to achieve. Interesting how both have the ribbing done in a similar style. Thanks for such an absorbing talk on the history! I think your Billie jersey looks great on you, knitters and sewers are so hard on ourselves re fit issues and yet we often achieve a better fit than shop bought, or tailored. I'm swatching on The Twigs jersey - inspired by how well I thought you looked in yours. It's been in my queue for years. Looking forward to your next episode!

[@fraochknits]

Thank you @JHenderson for your appreciative and encouraging words -I'm really thrilled you liked the podcast and also that my twigs sweater inspired you to knit one of that design - now that's a design that I really love:) I know that you'll enjoy the process of knitting it and you'll love the finished product.

[@jeanlong1400]

Aine, it was so interesting to hear your thoughts on Aran knitting. There is a huge revival in this type of cottage industry again and in slow fashion here in Ireland. Have you heard of Conor O’Brien? He is a young knitwear designer in his final year of study at the NCAD in Dublin. He puts contemporary shape on traditional cables and patterns and produces the most stunning work. A lot of his knits are knit by a team of handknitters around the country. Similar to the extract you read from the book - he sends out wool and a pattern, the team knit the piece and are paid in return. I love that this tradition is coming full circle. My grandad was a fisherman from a tiny island off the south west coast and I remember him wearing his navy blue geansaí all the time which he would swap out for a báinín geansaí on a Sunday! Thanks for such an interesting podcast 😊

[@fraochknits]

Jean, thank you for your lovely comments. it's so lovely to hear your memories of your grandfather wearing the navy blue geansaí for workdays and the báinín on Sundays.......it's wonderful that this tradition is still within living memory. I hadn't heard of Conor O'Brien but have just looked him up - it's fantastic to see that he has set up a knitwear design business that rewards Irish knitters for their work. His pricing reflects this - it's funny I was recently asked by someone if I would knit them a jumper and when I told them how much I would have to charge to go some way towards covering the time involved (I quoted a figure very similar to what Conor O'Brien is charging for his designs!) they nearly fell out of their standing. I think that only knitters realise what is involved - we as a society have become so separated from the reality of making clothing and have been able to buy it so cheaply for so long that in general people are shocked when they hear how much a garment should cost if the maker is getting paid a fair wage....It's so good to hear that the knitting cottage industry is coming back here and fantastic that Galway wool is being used for some of the Aran knitwear in these lovely contemporary designs - all very good news!!

[@sheil3884]

Just catching up with all the episodes on your wonderful You Tube channel, love them! I have really enjoyed this episode about the history of Aran knitting, its been so interesting, especially finding out that the "Aran" knitwear we see now is a relatively new creation. The earlier traditions of the fishermans ganseys which are seen all around the coast of the British Isles and Eire from long, long ago show the connections that were made within fishing communities. I come from the North East of Scotland and remember my Granny knitting her own patterns for ganseys. Really interesting to hear that the original Aran ganseys were knitted on fingering wool. Keep up the good work......my, but you're an awfully good knitter, that Shetland shawl is amazing!

[@annmoore6562]

Well, that was fabulous. Thanks for the history lesson and myth dispelling. Years ago I made a gansey sweater from homespun. What an adventure that was. Unfortunately, moths loved it to death. Perhaps it's time for another.. But, the good news is, you have inspired me to get after making the Fetlar scarf. The pattern is purchased. The chart is at the ready. The jars of Shetland wool await. Thanks again.

[@fraochknits]

Ann, I am delighted you are casting on the Fetlar scarf - you will love it - the wool, the pattern and the finished product - enjoy!!!

[@TaraSykes3]

Aine I,m so happy to see your Billie sweater on you. It looks really lovely. The talk about the origins of the Aran sweater was very interesting and certainly busted some myths for me. I knitted an Aran cardigan in the early 1970 and funnily enough I seem to remember my choice of colour was blue or cream. I chose the blue, I spent many a day on our cold NE beach snuggled in that warm cardi. Brought back a lot of memories.

[@fraochknits]

Thanks for your lovely comments! Great that you got so much wear and comfort out of your blue Aran cardi:)

[@llessard]

Lovely episode! Your sweater is fantastic and it was a great reminder to pull out my copy of Alice Starmore’s Aran Knitting book!

[@fraochknits]

Thanks Lisa, really glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the compliments on my sweater. My niece now wants me to knit her one!! I think I'm going to use de rerum natura gilliat in hers - she wants merino and I think that's probably the best local one I know as it's lightweight and squishy at the same time. Alice Starmore goes into great depth in her research on the history of the Aran style - she left no stone unturned! Enjoy reading/re-reading:)

[@au_fildesjours6911]

Your sweater and history lesson have convinced me- off to the stash I go! I have a quote large amount of "aran weight" local yarn ready to go, thank you for the inspiration!

[@fraochknits]

@au_fil desjours thanks so much for the lovely comment -I'm delighted you found inspiration in the video! Hope you enjoy the project - it's slow going but well worth it in the end!

[@DivineInspirationsClothing]

Greetings, Anie from Lake Okeechobee Florida in the U.S. 🎉 Just want to thank you for your fantastic podcast series which I knit to most everyday! I am of Irish/Scot descent - only a 2nd generation American - & I find your videos incredibly inspiring no matter how many times I watch them 😮 Even your music choices are uplifting & peaceful...so I pray that you continue to podcast 🙏Completely LOVE & enjoy your discussions on Irish lore & culture along with your knitting discussions ❤ It is every bit inspiring & seeing the heather growing amongst the very green Irish grass has inspired a shawl idea I am going to try 🫠 My spouse & I are planning a trip to Ireland for the fall & you have given me many ideas for places & things to see. 🍀🪻🍀 Looking forward to more of your videos & happy knitting & wellbeing for you & your family...God bless you 🙏

[@fraochknits]

Hi Roberta, thank you for all your lovely comments - I'm really glad you are enjoying the podcasts. I hope you have a lovely time when you visit here this autumn -such a lovely time to visit.

[@DivineInspirationsClothing]

@Fraoch Knits Thank you so much for your reply ❤️ So excited for our trip over there...I told my hubby that there is danger of me not coming back with him, haha 😄 Have always felt that my soul completely resides in your area of the world...oh boy!! 🍀 Again - I want to say how much we love your podcasts & look forward to more of them 🥰

[@daniellehanekamp7721]

Thank you for the museum images, such great knitting skills! Beautiful outdoor shots ... beautiful dark clouds around the top of that mountains (or what you may call them, haven't got any in The Netherlands hihi) Take care, XD

[@fionasmall4384]

Thank you so much for the story of Aran. I’ve knitted my weans Aran since the 80s now it’s my granweans turn. I love how you get into the rhythm I never get bored. I love your Billy jumper I will definitely be giving it a go at some point as I’m nearly finished Braids of Grass by Albiona…

[@fraochknits]

Hi Fiona, thanks for your lovely comments! I'd love to knit the braids of Grass- that's a beautiful pattern. Your 'granweans' are very lucky kids to be getting Aran jumpers knit for them - such labours of love:)

[@Codythefnafnerd]

Thank you for the museum visit. Amazing sweaters!

[@fraochknits]

You're welcome!! I loved visiting the museum - if you're ever in the area I highly recommend a visit. There's so much to see about the traditional rural way of life in Ireland that still seems very close in time to us.

[@carlafawcett6494]

I love hearing the history : ) I am part Irish and Scottish so it fascinates me. I am binge watching all your podcasts now !! Beautiful music too

[@fraochknits]

Thanks Carla - lovely to hear of your connections to this part of the world. I'm glad you like the music too - it's all from artists on epidemic sound - I'm happy to be supporting great musicians and love adding their music to my video footage.

[@tracys.5143]

Thank you for a delightful podcast! Your Billie sweater looks wonderful on you, and the museum and beach visit were lovely.

[@fraochknits]

Thanks Tracy you're welcome! Delighted you enjoyed the video:)

[@colettemoolman4410]

Oh my Aine, what an amazing episode! I'm going to share this in the "all things vintage" group on Ravelry. Those museum pieces from the 1930s are incredible. I just love everything about this episode. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into it. It's much appreciated.

[@fraochknits]

Thanks Colette - that's a great idea, thanks for sharing to that ravelry group. the museum pieces really are amazing aren't they?!

[@Mindfulnessification]

It is so beautiful in a Ireland. I must visit soon! 🐑♥️🐑♥️🐑

[@fraochknits]

Yes it's definitely worth a visit!!

[@fibreandflowers]

Very informative and interesting episode - loving the Aran jumpers at the museum. They were beautiful and inspirational. Thank you J

[@fraochknits]

Thanks Juliette - glad you enjoyed it. The museum trip was fascinating. Alice Starmore gives an in depth analysis of the construction and stitch patterns on all of the pieces in the museum's collection - it's a very good read for more info on the evolution of the style.

[@fibreandflowers]

@@fraochknitsI will check it out J

[@madelineomeara7387]

Great episode and very informative. Thank you especially for the detailed footage of those beautiful sweaters in the museum. Wouldn’t it be fun to have a knit along to duplicated those sweaters? Maybe you and Carol Feller could create such a thing. I would definitely pay to be a part of that! It would interest me way more than Marie Wallis’s knit alongs. Maybe something to consider…❤🧶😊

[@fraochknits]

Thanks Madeline for your lovely comments. I;m delighted you enjoyed the video. I had been thinking I would love to knit a duplicate of one of the museum sweaters - or at least try knitting an Aran sweater design using 4 ply wool. Maybe a knit along is something to consider - thanks for suggesting it:)

[@FibreNuts]

I thought this episode was super interesting. Thank you for sharing.

[@fraochknits]

You're welcome! And thanks for the appreciation❤️

[@virginiasattler-reimer9554]

Hello! I recently found your podcast and have really been enjoying it. I just finished my own Billie yesterday, so I feel a bit like I was knitting with you as I binged your episodes. 💚 The sweaters from the museum are incredible! I appreciate the work and research you put into your chats about Irish culture and heritage, thank you.

[@fraochknits]

Hi Virginia, I'm thrilled you are enjoying my podcast and that you finished your Billie pullover while watching! What a great pattern - I'm looking forward to starting my second one soon for my niece. Thanks for all the appreciation:)

[@virginiasattler-reimer9554]

@@fraochknits It is a great pattern, I'm sure there is another one in my future, too!

[@yaelschlick1496]

Thanks so much. I especially enjoyed this episode!

[@fraochknits]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@angelasouthward589]

Thank you so much, another lovely podcast that was so interesting :)

[@fraochknits]

Thanks Angela I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@maudonink7592]

Thanks for the historical info.

[@fraochknits]

You're very welcome - really glad you enjoyed it. Happy Knitting!!

[@robynreid3027]

Such an interesting episode! I had no idea of the history of aran knitting as you describe it. Thanks for your research here. Those 4ply items are stunning, aren't they?

[@fraochknits]

Thanks Robyn....yes I was amazed myself to find out more about the history of the Aran style. There are so many myths surrounding Aran knitting and I don't think it's really possible to find a definitive answer to the question of how the style originated but it's well worth reading Alice Starmore and Vawn Corrigan - they present the historic evidence as we know it and try to separate fact from fiction. And seeing the knitwear in the museum was a real eye opener. They are really beautiful and show the level of skill and talent that was present on the islands at the time.

[@debrahookham1620]

Your sweater is beautiful! I enjoyed seeing footage from the museum. The hem on the cream sweater caught my eye.

[@simonehunter8721]

Aine, this was fascinating, I knew some history but nothing to what I’ve just learnt. Your Billie pullover is gorgeous, & as I’m watching I’m wearing my Fabel sweater full of echoes to aran knitting. 🙏

[@fraochknits]

Thanks Simone - it was eye opening for me to read about the history too.....I hope to visit the Aran islands this summer and will make another video then - there's a permanent exhibition on Inishmore that looks at traditional clothing and how it was made which I want to see. Thanks for your lovely comments about my jumper:) Who designed the Fabel sweater? I've been trying to find it on ravelry but can't locate it.

[@simonehunter8721]

@@fraochknits Fabel is by, Ronja Hakalehto for Jarbo the Swedish yarn makers. It’s also on my Ravelry page, Daisy15, I’ve knit quite a few of the same projects as you! 🧶

[@lisapettit7403]

This was very interesting. Thank you!

[@fraochknits]

You're very welcome- glad you enjoyed it😁

[@hebrideanhomeandcroft]

Really interesting- thank you.

[@fraochknits]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@catrionahenderson7759]

Thankyou so much Aine, I really enjoyed seeing this. I found that the explanations of the history was very helpful to my understanding of Aran knitting. If you think of it; the women had to spin enough wool to make the garment, and plying it more than once took up too much time. No wonder the yarn was finer back then. Todays luxury of a many plied aran weight wool was a nonsense to them. Plus, did they have that much fibre to spin more than a 2 ply? It was all about expense. I look forward to learning more from you. Cheori!

[@fraochknits]

Thanks Catriona - it is amazing to think of the amount of work that went into making a sweater from scratch, the time and the money required.........Thanks for your interest in the podcast:)

[@silviath521]

Another lovely and very engaging podcast Aine!!! I enjoy the history of people and places. The footage was gorgeous and you can see the fineness of the yarn.

[@fraochknits]

Thanks Silvia- glad you enjoyed the episode! I love the fineness of the knitwear in the museum and I'd love to try knitting a 4ply Aran jumper at some stage.

[@silviath521]

@Fraoch Knits Would you know what breed of sheep would have provided the wool for those jumpers? I am a handspinner as well so it would tell me what kind of yarn I would need to spin based on the breed. Thanks.

[@fraochknits]

@silviaherget that's a really good question. I'll see if I can find out for you. Leave it with me and I'll get back to you.

[@fraochknits]

Hi Silvia, it might have been the Galway breed or the Cladoir. You can find more info at www.cladoir.ie, www.irishfibrecrafters.com and www.galwaywool.ie

[@silviath521]

@@fraochknits Thanks. I will check it out.

[@wildcottageknitting]

Really enjoyed this, and your Billie looks fab!

[@fraochknits]

Thanks Susan glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the compliments re the Billie- it's growing on me😁

[@deborahmilne3397]

I absolutely loved this video!

[@fraochknits]

Thanks Deborah - and thanks for taking the time to watch it and comment!

[@sivmaritrkaldhol]

Thank you so much, Aine! 👌🏻 I love to listen to your stories ❤️ This is culture, tradition and history in one package 🤩 Big applause from Norway 🙏

[@fraochknits]

Thanks so much - glad you enjoyed the video!! So lovely to hear from Norway😁❤️

[@jeant763]

Loved your visit to the museum, would love to knit that cream coloured Aran or even the red one. Thanks for sharing your trip.

[@fraochknits]

Delighted you enjoyed the museum footage. I was thinking it would be lovely to knit an Aran design with 4-ply wool instead of aran weight....the look is much subtler isn't it?!

[@janet7640]

Oh Aine, always so illuminating of Ireland history and culture. I loved the trip to the museum and seeing the Aran’s. I was especially taken by the designs with patterning at collar, cuff and hem instead of the typical ribbing. And to hear that the “history” was mainly written by commercial enterprise. Ah, those dear knitters; how I wish I could have sent them some of my stash.

[@fraochknits]

Janet, I couldn't help but feel the same about those knitters who must have found it so hard to avoid the temptation to keep back a small amount of yarn to add to their own projects - they must have had so little....we have no idea what it must have been like, and not so long ago really.....Thanks so much as always for watching and for your lovely comments.

[@jessicatressawell5970]

I just stumbled across your channel through a KZbin suggestion which caught my eye because I am currently knitting a Billie pullover for my daughter. The summary you gave of the Aran sweater has connected me to a tradition that infuses my knitting with depth and insight. This really resonated with me as my mother's family is from Ireland. Thank you so much for this interesting, inspiring and informative episode!!! I'm now going to watch all your other episodes as I continue knitting.

[@fraochknits]

Jessica, many thanks for your kind words - I'm thrilled that you came across my podcast and that it means so much to you. Happy knitting on the Billie Pullover - a labour of love if ever there was one......

[@sharonmccarthy2117]

I found this very interesting. Thank you! What you said about the different patterns and motifs not signifying different families, do you suppose that holds true of Gansey patterns also? I would have loved to think that my ancestral family had passed on certain patterns, but alas, no. Oh well, we'll just have to make our own traditions. Your pullover is beautiful and something you can be proud of.

[@fraochknits]

Sharon, thank you so much for your lovely encouraging comments. I'm not 100% sure about gansey sweaters having the tradition of different stitch patterns pertaining to different families -I think I remember hearing that there are very distinctive regional styles/mix of stitch patterns in gansey sweaters coming from different fishing communities all along the cost of Britain and that the different regional styles might be recognised. I have to do more reading to be sure about this. Thanks so much for watching the video and I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[@jo-annethompson9645]

Thanks Aine, always look forward to your podcasts arriving. Really interesting history with those glimpses of how basic life was. Loved the designs of the museum ganseys. Did that background clattering noise have something to do with the autofocus?

[@fraochknits]

Hi Jo-Anne, glad you enjoyed the podcast. Yes apologies for the very loud noise made by the autofocus!! As soon as I solve one problem another emerges!! I'm currently working on a solution:) Thanks for having the patience to watch through to the end.

[@susanmyrawills]

12 shillings..would that have been equivalent to about $3.00 in u.s.? And they thought that was good pay?

[@fraochknits]

I think 12 old shillings was the equivalent of 144d or 144pence. Each shilling was worth 12d. There were 20 shillings in a pound which was equivalent of 240pence. Apparently 1 pound in the 1950s was the equivalent of about 50 euros today. So the 12 shillings would have been worth about 30 euros today. Which doesn't sound like much but I'm sure it could buy a lot more than 30 euros could today....and the times would have been very different - nobody had much cash in those days so any extra cash coming into the house would have been very welcome.

[@susanmyrawills]

yes, 30€ sounds better than $3 ! when I first started knitting sweaters for a woman in early 1980’s she paid $35 for the pieces and $45 if you then sewed them together.

[@kathrynsmyth7469]

Probably know this one, chucking it in. Love your music choices xxkzbin.info/www/bejne/eX62dXujosSBepo

[@fraochknits]

Hey thanks a million Kathryn - that track is brilliant, I've never heard it before - and what a great band. Thanks for sending it to me. I'll have to play it for Reuben in the morning:)

[@killeaghaoife]

Lovely podcast Aine

[@fraochknits]

@@killeaghaoife thanks Aoife!!!