Aran knitwear is synonymous with Ireland and today we're celebrating the Irish tradition of cable pattern knitting with a beautiful woolen hat for her.
The skilled craft of knitting by hand has deep roots in Ireland, especially in the rural countryside along the western seaboard. Hand knit sweaters, cardigans, shawls, hats, caps, and stockings were commonly worn by Irish people in centuries past.
The cable knit sweaters that originated in the Aran Islands, off the coast of County Galway are famous the world over.
In years gone by they were made using a thick oiled wool, and designed with closely knit knotted and cable patterns. Their purpose was to help keep fishermen warm and dry. Each family from the islands could be identified by the pattern and design on their Aran sweater.
This gift is once again brought to you by Aidan from Gifts of Ireland. He works closely with Erin Knitwear to bring you beautiful hand knit fashions for men and women..
And so, let's take a look at this lovely hat.
(A quick tip from Mom - Take a look at the video at the top or side of this post to see the prize in more detail plus you'll hear a lovely Irish Christmas blessing at the end.)
Day 7 Prize: Sterling Silver Celtic Cross Pendant
The intricate designs of this Aran Cable knit create a stylish, cozy and warm peaked cap. It is lined with a polyester fleece for extra protection from the cold.
These hats are made so that one size fits all (this applies for a fit between 55 cm and 61 cm head circumference.)
These hats are made with 100% wool, and are perfect for cold winter days and evenings.
Erin Knitwear is based in Ballincollig in County Cork, and they have been hand crafting Aran knitwear since 1965.
Their products are all hand knit, and they produce a wide variety of hats, caps, gloves, handwarners, scarves and purses or bags.
They use vibrant and muted colors in their many designs.
Check Out Our Video Prize Reveal
At the top of this post I've shared another short video featuring this lovely hat. Aidan and I have a conversation all about knitting.
You'll get a much better appreciation for the intricate cablework featured on this hat by watching the video..
Plus I share another Irish Christmas blessing at the end of the video. We have a new blessing for each day.
If you would like to print this blessing simply click this image and it will take you to a post where you'll find a free printable in different sizes.
How To Purchase From Gifts of Ireland
Aidan stocks a wide selection of gifts from Erin Knitwear.
You can purchase this beautiful pendant through this link...
Take a look! There are some great sale prices in Aidan's shop right now.
And don't forget to purchase early if your gifts need to be mailed from Ireland.
How To Enter Our Giveaway
One reader will win an Erin Knitwear Aran Cableknit Peaked Women's.
To enter simply leave a comment on this blog post by noon Eastern Time on Tuesday December 7th, 2021.
You can write any comment. If you need inspiration why not let us know if you own any piece of Irish jewelry.
If you live in Canada or Ireland, then please answer the following question in your comment by typing A, B or C for the correct answer ...
Aran Knitwear originated on the Aran Islands off the coast of which Irish county?
A. County Wicklow
B. County Carlow
C. County Galway
A winning comment will be chosen randomly using the Pick Giveaway Winner Wordpress plug-in.
Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won’t be published, just used to contact our winner for mailing of the prize.
The winner will be announced on Tuesday December 7th, 2021, at the bottom of this blog post.
You may check out Irish American Mom’s complete terms and conditions for sweepstakes’ entries here.
A bit thank you to all who support this giveaway and share it with family and friends. Why not spread a little Irish Christmas cheer with those you love this year?
Any many thanks to the good folks at Gifts of Ireland for so generously sponsoring this prize, and all the prizes in our 12 Days of Christmas Irish Gift Giveaways.
Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for Day 8 of our Irish giveaways. And don't forget to enter our Day 6 giveaway for a lovely Sterling Silver Celtic Cross pendant.
I'll add the links to all our giveaways as we progress through our 12 days.
- May The Road Rise To Meet You Irish Blessing Plate Day Twelve Gift
- Irish Tweed Cap Day Eleven Prize
- Health, Love and Happiness Ogham Wishes Day Ten Gift
- Love, Loyalty and Friendship Irish Wall Art Day 9 Gift
- Celtic Pocket Watch By Mullingar Pewter Day 8 Gift
- Erin Knitwear Hat For Her Day Seven Gift
- Celtic Cross Silver Pendant Day Six Gift
- Donegal Tweed Scarf Day Five Christmas Gift
- Ireland Photo Frame Day Four Christmas Giveaway Prize
- Quiet Man Cottage - Day Three Prize For Christmas
- Day Two Of Our Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaways
- Day One Of Our Twelve Days Of Christmas Giveaways
Update - Winner Chosen
Our winner has been randomly chosen using the Pick Giveaway Winner Plug-in for WordPress.
And the lucky reader is ….
Mary Power
I’ll send an email to arrange mailing of her prize. A big thank you to everyone for supporting this giveaway by leaving comments. I thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every comment.
Thank you all for supporting our Irish American community.
Stay tuned for more stories and giveaways over the coming weeks and months.
Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Disclosure: Irish American Mom LLC has an affiliate relationship with Gifts of Ireland which means I earn a small commission should you purchase an item through the links on my blog. The price you pay is not affected. Thank you for supporting this Irish business.
Barbara L. L.
I know I live in south Texas but believe it or not it does get cold here and I could use a nice hat to keep my head warm. I look so horrible in a beanie, so winning this would be wonderful.
Irish American Mom
Hi Barbara - I've experienced some Texas ice storms when I lived in Dallas. I understand that it can get far colder than expected at times. Thanks for checking out this lovely prize.
Take care,
Mairéad
Katlyn Killian
I've always wanted a hat like this!
Irish American Mom
HI Katlyn - These hats are ever so stylish. Thanks so much for following my recipes and ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Geraldine McGovern
Years ago, my family sent me two Aran sweaters, but I found them too warm for California, even though we get our share of cold weather! Now that I have family in Oregon, this would be perfect for when I visit there.
Thank you for all of the giveaways.
Irish American Mom
Hi Geraldine - This hat is perfect for Oregon weather. So glad you appreciate our Irish Christmas giveaways.
Take care,
Mairéad
Rebecca Mills
This hat is perfect! So cute! I love the Aran knits. I would be excited to get this
Irish American Mom
Hi Rebecca - Aran knitwear is a wonderful cultural legacy in Ireland. It's lovely to see the skills continue to be used to this very day. Best of luck in our drawing.
All the best,
Mairéad
Colleen
The answer is C
Irish American Mom
Hi Colleen - Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Sue Earnest
I bought at sweater when visiting the Aran Island and a hat like Aidan’s for my husband. Would love to have my own beautiful hat to wear with my sweater.
Irish American Mom
Hi Sue - Lovely to hear you bought some lovely items when you visited the Aran Islands. This hat would be a lovely match for your sweater. Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Carol Spangler
Lovely accessory to help stay warm during our PA winter.
Mullingar is in Co. Westmeath.
Irish American Mom
Hi Carol - Thank you for taking the time to support our giveaways.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mary Therese Ladell
I need a warm hat this winter as I am receiving chemotherapy and have lost my hair. It is a lovely hat.
Tanya Mutton
A beautiful hat that would be perfect here in Alaska
Irish American Mom
Hi Tanya - Lots of warmth from this hat for cold Alaska days.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Mary McAteer
Such lovely giveaways. So very generous!! I love this hat!!!
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary - Thank you for taking the time to support our giveaways. May the luck of the Irish be with you.
All the best,
Mairéad
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary Therese - I hope your treatment will be a resounding success and that you will get stronger by the day. This hat would be a perfect way to keep warm. Thank you for stopping by to enter our giveaways. May the luck of the Irish be with you.
All the best,
Mairéad
Colleen Parenteau
What a lovely hat, I loved my visit to the Aran Islands and this hat is
beautiful. I'm am always cold so a hat is quite useful to me. Thanks
too for the lovely Irish Christmas blessings.
Irish American Mom
Hi Colleen - Lovely to hear you enjoyed a trip to the Aran Islands. Thanks for reading my ramblings, and supporting our raffles.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sheila Kearney
I just love this hat! Adorable! This would be great for our Maryland winters!
Irish American Mom
Hi Sheila - Thanks for reading my ramblings,
All the best,
Mairéad
Angela Dougherty-Way
Thank you once again for taking time to do the video! Great to learn about how, where, and what each and every day. Just purchased Irish Crochet book for my daughter.
Irish American Mom
Hi Angela - I hope your daughter enjoys crochet - a great skill to have. Thanks for watching our little videos, and thanks for reading my ramblings,
All the best,
Mairéad
Stephanie Harris Fink
Cutest hat ever! I love your blog, too!
Irish American Mom
Hi Stephanie - Thanks for your kind words about my blog and for stopping by to support our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Debby McNutt
C
Irish American Mom
Hi Debby - Good luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Kim
I love that style.
Irish American Mom
Hi Kim - Thanks for entering our competition.
Take care,
Mairéad
Janet MacNamara
This is such a cute hat!
Irish American Mom
Hi Janet - So glad you like it, and thanks for stopping by to check out this giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Janielle Nuzum
Love the hat. Love all the background info .too.
Irish American Mom
Hi Janielle - So glad you like this prize. Good luck in our drawing.
All the best,
Mairéad
Susan
What a lovely hat! I just found your blog looking for Irish recipes, and am so glad I did! I'm now looking forward to reading more from you in the future!
Irish American Mom
Hi Susan - Thanks for your kind words about my blog and for stopping by to support our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Christina Barnes
Warm and fashionable!!!!
Deb Harris
My daughter’s family moved “home” to Southern Maine in 2020 during lockdown. They are a Navy family & have been stationed in Georgia, Japan & back to Georgia for the last 12 years. Her husband is from California, so they all have some adjusting to Maine winters to do. They visited during winter those years but not the same. I think my daughter & 14 yo granddaughter would both love that hat. It looks like they’d be warm & stylish too.
Irish American Mom
Hi Christina - Thank you for taking the time to support our giveaways.
All the best,
Mairéad
Katlyn Killian
I would love to win this!
Irish American Mom
Hi Katlyn - Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Lisa G
These items are so beautiful. Anyone who wins these are incredibly lucky ☘
Irish American Mom
Hi Lisa - So glad you like this prize. Good luck in our drawing.
All the best,
Mairéad
Horst King
Tá an hata sin álainn 🙂
Irish American Mom
Dia dhuit a Horst - Tá an hata seo go hálainn ar fad, gan aon dabht. Míle buíochas as cuairt a thabhairt ar mo shuíomh gréasáin.
Slán agus beannacht,
Mairéad
Daniel Oliver
C
Fantastic prize
Irish American Mom
Hi Daniel - Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
emer
Absolutely beautiful, please pop me in the hat and fingers crossed!
Irish American Mom
Hi Emer - Thanks for entering to win. So glad you like this prize.
All the best,
Mairéad
emer
The answer is C
Irish American Mom
Hi Emer - Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Barbara Quinlan
Stylish and warm. Would love that as my new winter look.
Irish American Mom
Hi Barbara - This truly is a lovely piece of Irish style. Cozy and warm for cold winter days. Thank you for taking the time to support our giveaways.
All the best,
Mairéad
Jon Bechtle
My wife has a Aran knitwear sweater we picked up while visiting Ireland a couple of years ago. Beautiful sweater, exceptionally warm.
Irish American Mom
Hi Jon - Good to know your wife has discovered the warmth and quality of Irish Aran knitwear. They're wonderfully stylish yet functional items of clothing. Thanks so much for reading my recipes and ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Cheryl Barker
What a lovely hat! My daughter looks great in about any kind of hat! 🙂
Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂
Irish American Mom
Hi Cheryl - These hats are wonderful for winter days - warm and cozy and beautifully knit. Best of luck in our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad