Custom sweaters from Inismor vs. Inis Meain

[dieworkwear]

I've become really fond of Inis Meain sweaters, but unfortunately, not only are they expensive, but they're also hard to find. Especially in my size (36R). Those all seem to get bought up by the Japanese market, and the Western countries only stock mediums, which are slightly too big for me.

I'm in contact with someone at the moment on one of the Aran Islands, and he suggested that I try getting a custom knitted sweater by one of the women who do such work on Inismor. Apparently he knows a few of them. Custom pattern, custom knit, custom sizing, etc. I was wondering if anyone has experience with these knitters, and can compare them first hand to Inis Meain's? As I understand it, the islands are filled with these sweaters, but they are 1) largely made for tourists and 2) not very good. However, I also understand that part of this is because they use domestic wool and not the Peruvian stuff Inis Meain uses. Assuming that wool can be sourced, is the knitting quality and styling any good?

 

[mymil]

Is this the first step toward a SF group buy with an SF pattern and knit? Because I hope it is.

 

[clapeyron]

Cravate once posted a bespoke knit sweater. Not sure if that's the kind you were looking for. Might want to ask him where he got his from.

Bespoke knitwear, the jumper was not touched by a machine during its production.

 

[Grammaton Cleric]

I believe the Florentine shirtmaker who visits NY 4x / year (his name escapes me at the momeent) offers bespoke/MTM cashmere knitwear.

 

[Grammaton Cleric]

^ Simone Abbarchi is the guy. I don't think he offers the chunky Inis Meain type of knitwear though.

 

[Longmorn]

As I understand it, the islands are filled with these sweaters, but they are 1) largely made for tourists and 2) not very good. However, I also understand that part of this is because they use domestic wool and not the Peruvian stuff Inis Meain uses. Assuming that wool can be sourced, is the knitting quality and styling any good?

I'm a little puzzled by the idea that the local wool is a problem. It's been twenty years since I was there, but the (locally sourced) wool in my sweater is coarse but soft. That coarseness is part of the nature of these sweaters. They're supposed to be tough, warm working garments, at the opposite end of the spectrum from Loro Piana or Bruno Cuccinelli.

Am I misinterpreting your critique, or is this a case of a local rural tradition being homogenized towards a global urban standard?

Cheers,
LM

 

[dieworkwear]

No, the main critique has been that they're coarse and itchy, not super soft like Inis Meain. I find Inis Meain to be both hard wearing and impressively soft. Not soft like Loro Piana or Cucinelli, but very, very soft nonetheless.

 

[Longmorn]

Interesting. Well, I'll just say that the two sweaters I have from all those years ago were both bought on Inis Meain are a lot coarser than the one pictured on Cravate Noire, and I've gotten a ton of use out of them for coming up on 20 years. That said, I can't attest to what the islands are producing these days, but I hope you find what you're after.

Cheers,
LM

 

[drbat]

I love my inis meain crewneck. I got it on the island, the prices are great in the warehouse there! will try to get a pic up

 

[ThinkDerm]

Derek,

What did you decide to do regarding custom sweaters?