Billy and John Lane

Erin Knitwear specialises in handknitting and was set up in 1965 by Tom and Sally Lane. Today the company is still owned by the Lane family and is run by Tom's sons Billy and John. Erin Knitwear has earned the reputation of being one of Ireland's premier producers of Aran Handknits.

Most knitting patterns are never written down, but handed on in families. The style of knitting is that known as traditional. The highly skilled knitters turn out lovely work, but sometimes, with a true Irish touch of "nothing really matters" their knitting shows mistakes always found in the simple patterns and a careless nonchalance in the crossing of their cables.

White (Bainin) = natural coloured undyed wool
The more intricate the pattern the more perfect the knitting and their best work is of the highest standards. Some of the interlaced or plaited patterns seem to have originated from the designs found on Irish stones and crosses - the latter are most impressive and rich in their decoration. These Aran knitters group their patterns very cleverly and use the travelling stitch, both plain and crossed, singly or in pairs and trebles, running across the surface of the knitting, and also use it in cross overs. Cable stitch is worked in with great effect among the other patterns. Some of the knitters embellish their work with "Bobbles" knitted in as the work progresses which certainly adds a richness and character. In places like Aran and Donegal they will tell you that the stitches in a garment have a meaning or tell a story relating to the life of the Fisherman (whose traditional costume was a handknit sweater) - Sea, Earth, Sky, Marriage, Sons to take his place, many too, are supposed to have a religious significance.

Erin Knitwear maintains strict quality control at all levels of production. Erin commissions Ireland's most experienced handknitters to ensure consistent quality. The knitters working for Erin will verify that it takes 40 hours of handknitting to produce one garment. Once the finished garment is collected from the knitter it is thoroughly inspected and labels are stitched on. It is then sized, packed and ready for distribution.

Each Erin handknit also bears the original knitters name on the swing ticket, every Erin garment carries the Irish Knitwear Exporters Guild swing ticket, which is your guarantee of quality Irish made knitwear.

Trinity or Blackberry - It is supposed to represent the Holy Trinity. It is done by making three stitches from one and one from three, across the panel - hence its name	Honeycomb - This looks like its name and is made by twisting stitches forwards and backwards across the panel. It is a tribute to the bee. It was considered a lucky omen. If a fisherman saw a swarm of bees before setting out to sea a good catch was assured.	Moss Stitch or Carrageen Moss - Seaweed with medicinal properties - also used for making Blancmange. It represents wealth to the Fisherfolk and is also called the poor man's wealth.