Established in 1965 by Tom and Sally Lane, Erin Knitwear specialize in a wide range of hand-knitted products. Today this Cork based company is still owned by the Lane family and run by Tom’s sons Billy and John Lane.
Erin Knitwear began by producing both traditional and fashionable Aran handknits and accessories for ladies, gents and children, however, the product range has evolved greatly since then, appealing to a broad range of customers. “We work with designers who follow trends, so we try to bring out new styles and designs every year,” explains Billy. “These designs appeal to the domestic as well as international market.”
It seems they also appeal to a few famous faces! When Tom Cruise was filming ‘Far and Away’ in Ireland back in 1990, Billy presented Tom and his wife Nicole Kidman with Aran sweaters one night after shooting. The sweaters were presented in Paudie O’ Shea’s bar in Dingle, Co. Kerry. “I still have the pictures of that night,” Billy enthuses, “and they were on every national paper in Ireland the following morning. Paudie said that Tom Cruise was delighted and surprised to receive his Aran sweater.”
All Erin Knitwear products are hand-knit in 100% wool and fleece-lined for warmth and comfort. The company produces hats, caps, gloves, hand-warmers, scarves and bags in Aran and Fair Isle designs in vibrant and muted colors. The accessories range are more geared to Autumn-Winter because of the fleece lining but the range sells very well all year round in Ireland, particularly in visitor center shops like The Cliffs of Moher and Kylemore Abbey where there are lots of overseas visitors – and often a bit of a chill in the wind!
From hats and headbands to hand warmers; cute woolly purses to funky handcrafted felt and knitted sheep collectibles, the Erin Knitwear range is innovative and stylish with a contemporary twist.
