Story of [Aran Sweater 2023]
NEWS | 2023/04/15
The existence of hand knitting is created with as many stitches, as many steps taken, and with someone in mind. Designer Fujisawa continues to be inspired by Aran knit, which originated in Ireland.
In 2023, we will unveil the long-awaited sweater. You can customize the color, size, pockets, and ceramic buttons of your favorite sweater.
The mittens/mufflers/knit hats that have been popular every year are now available with new designs.
The ONLINE reservation session will be held until April 30th (Sunday). Delivery dates are winter 2023 and winter 2024.
We apologize for the inconvenience, as each item is hand-knitted by a craftsman, but we would be happy if you could look forward to it as a gift for the coming winter.
[3 types of Aran sweaters]
The first item in the collection is a pullover sweater.
The land that someone once cultivated is now ripe with greenery, and small flowers are blown by the sea breeze. This sweater was inspired by the landscapes seen in the Aran Islands during the summer, and bears the island's name, Inis Mór.
The Aran Islands, the birthplace of Arannit, are subject to strong winds blowing from the Atlantic Ocean, and when people arrived here around 2500 BC, the desolate land had no soil. Aran knits have been knitted with compassion for others in the midst of life-threatening nature.
What is Aran knit? Returning to this question, I researched the early fisherman's knits while reading a number of foreign books, and what caught my eye was a sweater knitted in the 1930s that was housed in the National Museum of Ireland. is. Inspired by Gandhi, this sweater has a unique feature with different patterns on the front and back. The Gandhi sweater was originally knitted for men at sea, so it was logically constructed so that it could be worn on both the front and back, even on dark night voyages.
"Inis Mór" is a homage to Gandhi knit, the origin of Aran knit. There is no front or front, so both can be worn with the front. A day to wear classic Aran patterns, a day to wear white flowers. You can enjoy changing your outfit depending on your mood.
2 [Cardigan / Galway]
When I visited the Aran Islands for the first time in the middle of winter, I was greeted by the cold and harsh nature where I could only hear the sea breeze and my own breathing. This is a special piece with a strong presence, born from the desire to create a sweater that feels like a cloak that will keep your body and soul warm and protected even in these harsh winters.
Chiyoko (73 years old), a veteran knitter, deciphered the difficult old Aran pattern and created a cardigan with 416 small, nut-like grains, which took about 200 hours to knit each piece.
This piece has a warm, animal-like, weighty feel that can only be expressed by hand-knitted knits, and is truly a handmade work of art. Enjoy it as an outer layer by layering it with shirts, knits, etc.
YUKI FUJISAWA has been shining a new light on vintage Aran knits. This time, we went back to the basics and researched old Aran knits in order to knit a sweater from scratch by hand by a knitter. The basis is old vintage Aran knits made before 1960, before entering the mass production phase. Of course, there were no knitting textbooks back then. Supplies were difficult to reach remote islands, so women knitted items using bird feathers and bicycle spokes as tools.
The mysterious construction, which is different from modern Aran knits, shows how the women knitted it with all their heart. The creator's pure motive: ``I want to make something good'' ``I'll knit something I've never seen before.'' Manufacturing begins with such pure feelings. There is inherent creativity in this, and every time I feel the driving force behind creation through knitting, I am encouraged as a maker. To express our gratitude for our encounter with Aran knits, we named this cardigan after the port town of Galway, which is the starting point for heading to the Aran Islands.
3 [Pocket cardigan / ARAN / SHEEP /BUTTERFLY&FLOWER ]
A sheep that brings us the warm blessings of nature, a butterfly fluttering around flowers, an old Aran pattern that matches the pullover... This cardigan features ceramic buttons with a choice of adorable patterned pockets.
Plain knitted fabrics are easy to match with a variety of outfits, and are lightweight and warm. You can fully enjoy the soft texture of the wool.
Among this collection, this cardigan has an atmosphere that will be loved for a long time regardless of gender or age, and we named it "Dublin", the heart of Ireland, where old and new eras gently blend.
[BUTTONS]
The original ceramic buttons were made by the designer himself. For a detailed story, please see "Aran Sweater Production Diary" . At this online reservation event, you can choose the buttons for your sweater.
・Button automatic operation
The designer selects button colors that match each sweater. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of combination it will be after it arrives.
・Button white type
The fluctuation of the glaze is exquisite Creates a grayish tone gradation. The color goes well with any color sweater.
・button brown
It has a warm and natural feel, like the wood buttons on vintage knitwear.
[Delivery time]
Since it is hand knitted, you may have to wait a little longer, but we hope you will be able to wait for it as a way to look forward to the coming winter. Because each piece is hand-knitted by a craftsman, orders will be closed as soon as the limit is reached.
Delivery will start from December 2023
・【Pocket cardigan / ARAN / SHEEP / BUTTERFLY&FLOWER ]
Delivered sequentially from winter 2024
We will inform you of the estimated delivery date for these two items around May 2023. Applications will be knitted in the order in which they are received.
[Sweater that grows over time]
The premise of this new sweater is that it will "grow over time." When handed over for the first time, the foil-stamped design is more subtle than in previous collections.
After the sweater is delivered, we decided to provide an opportunity to layer the foil over the next year. During the first winter, enjoy the "as is" design of the Aran sweater. Then, 3 or 5 years later, when the time is right, I hope that you will be able to add a new sparkle. This project was started with the hope that the sweater you receive will continue to shine over time and with the user.
・We accept foil stamping on YUKI FUJISAWA sweaters once a year for a fee.
・After-sales maintenance is limited to YUKI FUJISAWA items.
・The first announcement is scheduled for late summer 2024. Please wait for announcements on official Instagram and website.
[COLOR]
・WHITE
The natural gentle white of unbleached sheep. The standard white color for Aran knits has a classic and calm atmosphere that naturally fits any outfit. The three-dimensional Aran pattern stands out clearly, and it is the color that allows you to enjoy the warm hand-knit feel to the fullest.
・GREEN ( 2023 color )
The gray-ish green color was inspired by the color of grass in the Aran Islands in summer. By mixing earthy brown wool, it expresses a generous natural atmosphere. The fresh green color will gently illuminate your winter attire.
・NAVY
Navy like indigo dye with shading. By knitting yarns dyed in slightly different tones together, we create a deep navy blue that seems to emit light from within. It looks like the bottom of a deep ocean or a rock surface wet from rough waves. It is a popular color regardless of gender.
・PINK (2023 color)
It is a calm and calming pink color. We have chosen elegant colors that will be reassuring and accompany you as you grow older. I was inspired by the colors of the pretty flowers I saw on the Aran Islands.
The sweater, scarf, and mittens have matching colors, so you can coordinate them and use them together.
【MATERIAL】
This 100% wool yarn has a simple yet beautiful texture, like an old-fashioned Aran sweater. In the Aran Islands, the birthplace of Aran knitting, each household has a history of spinning wool yarn. I was inspired by a ball of yarn I encountered when I first visited his place.
Sheep's wool has high heat retention properties. Expanding the joy of being clothed in the blessings of nature, we have carefully selected threads that have the imperfect beauty of handiwork, as if spun by human hands.
It retains the charm of its texture, giving it a wool-like scent. If you have sensitive skin and are concerned about the comfort of your skin, you can enjoy it with a turtleneck. The wood chips from the plants brought by the sheep and the colorful sheep colors are mixed in. Please enjoy it as a charm of nature.
[What is Aran knit? ]
Aran knits have been hand-knitted sweaters for nearly 100 years on the small islands of Ireland's Aran Islands. Even if you look around the world today, there are very few areas where the traditional culture of handicrafts remains.
I've come across countless hand-knitted sweaters made with love that still shine after decades. ``Even after 30 or 40 years, I want it to be a presence that gently warms someone.'' With this in mind, YUKI FUJISAWA is particular about Aran knits, which can only be expressed by hand-knitting.
[We undertake maintenance of items]
All knit items can be hand washed at home with a mild detergent.
In addition, so that you can enjoy ``changing with time'', YUKI FUJISAWA undertakes after-sales maintenance such as fixing frayed knits and custom repair of foil after purchase. Because we work in our atelier by hand, we hope to spend time with you so that you can use our products for many years to come.
[Reservation session until April 30th]
The ONLINE reservation session will be held from April 15th (Sat) 20:00 to April 30th (Sun) 23:59. Reservations are accepted for each item, and the pieces are hand knitted by craftsmen, so they will not be on sale to the general public. Once a certain number is reached, the reception will end.
I hope that you will enjoy encountering hand knitters who are like "friends" with whom you will spend a long time together.
[*Added on 4/22]
I would like to answer your question about the weight on Instagram Live.
Sweater weight (approx.)
・Pocket cardigan
S 800g
M 800g
L 1000g
・Cardigan
S 1400g
M 1500g
L 1600g
・Aran Sweater
S 900g
M 1100g
L 1200g