Machine-Made vs Hand-Knit Aran Sweaters: The Ultimate Guide

Hi everyone. This week it's all about how to choose the right Aran sweater and here at The Irish Store we consider ourselves to be somewhat experienced in this field! So one of the most frequent questions I hear is "Is a hand-knit Aran better than a machine-knit one?" My honest answer: it depends on what you want from your sweater.

Shop Aran Sweaters here 

Most of the Aran sweaters we sell at The Irish Store are machine knit, and I'm proud of every one of them. We also carry a small, special collection of hand knitted Aran sweaters & cardigans. In this guide, I'll explain how each is made, the real advantages of both, and our top 3 bestsellers in each category, so you can choose the one that's right for you.

How each type of Aran sweater is made

How a machine-knit Aran sweater is made

A machine-knit Aran sweater is knitted on a modern knitting machine programmed with traditional Aran stitch patterns. The machine knits the front, back and sleeves as separate panels, which skilled makers then join, finish and check by hand.

The machine does the repetitive work, but people still design the patterns, choose the wool and finish every garment. That's why a well-made machine-knit Aran from Ireland is still a genuine piece of Irish craftsmanship.

How a hand-knit Aran sweater is made

A hand-knit Aran sweater is made entirely by one knitter, stitch by stitch, using needles and yarn. A single hand-knit Aran typically takes 30 to 40 hours to complete, depending on the size and complexity of the pattern.

Because every stitch is formed by hand, the cables sit deeper and the texture is more sculpted. Each knitter's tension is slightly different, so no two hand-knit sweaters are exactly alike.

Machine-made vs hand-knit Aran sweaters at a glance

Machine-knit Arans win on choice, consistency and value; hand-knit Arans win on texture, rarity and heirloom character.

	Machine knit	Hand knit
How it's made	On a knitting machine, then finished by hand	Entirely by hand, stitch by stitch
Time to make	Far quicker per sweater	Typically 30 to 40 hours
Texture	Crisp, even, consistent stitches	Deeper, more sculpted cables
Weight	Usually lighter and easier to layer	Usually denser and heavier
Consistency	The size you order fits the size chart closely	Small natural variations from piece to piece
Choice	Wide range of styles and colors	A smaller, more exclusive range
Price	More affordable	An investment piece
Best for	Everyday wear, gifting, trying your first Aran	Heirlooms, milestone gifts, collectors

 

Our top 3 Aran bestsellers

These three machine-knit Aran sweaters have more than 3,900 reviews between them, each with an average of 4.8 stars.

1. Hooded Aran Zipper Lulu Classic Coat-Available Here

The Hooded Aran Zipper Lulu Classic Coat is the first piece I bought for myself when I founded The Irish Store back in 2011, and I still wear it today. Fifteen years later, it's still our number one bestselling Aran cardigan, with a 4.8-star rating from more than 1,800 reviews.

It pairs the classic Aran cable stitch with two side pockets, a snug hood and a Trinity knot zipper pull. My advice? Get one in every color!

2. Men's Traditional Crew Neck Aran Sweater-Available Here

The Men's Traditional Crew Neck Aran Sweater is our all-time number one bestselling Aran sweater, rated 4.8 stars from more than 900 reviews. It's the timeless crew-neck Aran that started it all, from fisherman's sweater to wardrobe icon.

3. Women's Classic Aran Boyfriend Button-Front Cardigan-Available Here

The Women's Classic Aran Boyfriend Button-Front Cardigan combines oversized boyfriend comfort with real Aran heritage. The basket stitch in the main body represents the fisherman's basket and hopes of a plentiful catch, trimmed with the classic cable. Another 5-star favorite and must-have wardrobe staple.

Our top 3 hand-knit picks

Our hand-knit collection is small by design, because every piece takes a knitter many hours to make. These are the three I'd recommend first, including a brand-new style from our latest fall/winter collection.

1. Men's Hand Knit Aran Zipper Cardigan-Available Here

The Men's Hand Knit Aran Zipper Cardigan is hand knit in County Mayo and built around the iconic Aran diamond stitch. In Aran Islander legend, the diamond is a symbol of plenty that represents both the farmers' fields and the mesh of the fishermen's nets.

2. Women's Hand Knit V-neck Cardigan-Available Here

The Women's Hand Knit V-neck Cardigan brings rich, hand-formed Aran stitching to a flattering V-neck shape. It's the kind of cardigan you'll reach for every fall for years to come.

3. NEW: Women's Button-Front Hand Knit Sheep Cardigan-Available Here

The Women's Button-Front Hand Knit Sheep Cardigan is new in our latest fall/winter collection, and I fell for it straight away. A charming sheep motif runs across the hem and cuffs with beautifully textured stitching that captures the Irish countryside.

Browse every piece in our hand knitted Aran cardigans and sweaters collection here

Machine-made or hand-knit, an Aran sweater from Ireland is a piece of our heritage you can wear. I still put on that first Hooded Aran Zipper Lulu Classic Coat I bought back in 2011, and I treasure our hand knits just as much. There's no wrong choice, only the one that suits you best.

Explore our full Aran sweaters collection or our hand knitted Aran cardigans and sweaters. Everything ships directly from Ireland, with free returns within 3 months. And if you'd like a little more Aran history, read our guide, Everything You Need to Know About Aran Sweaters right here.

Slán go fóill,

Lulu