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| All Photos by/of Muffy Aldrich |
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| Photos by Salt Water New England |
For Men, the Trawlerman Chunky Glenugie Nep is a wonderful addition to their hearty Blue Mogganer collection:
Our Blue Mogganer Collection is inspired in fashioning/shaping, by the old and long established fishing communities of our locality in the North East of Scotland. Seam free, chunky and hard wearing, it is a true replica of the traditional garments Scottish Mariners would have worn in the extremely harsh North Sea, in the early 1900’s. Our town of Peterhead was nicknamed The ‘Blue Toon’ and fishermen were locally branded as ‘Blue Mogganer’s’ in tribute to the (often Blue) Moggan’s (thick knitted socks) they wore.
Shown here in Jura Navy, it comes in three other colors as well. It is generous in fit for outstanding comfort.
Trawlerman Chunky Glenugie Nep Sweater
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| Hand-knit in Ireland by Ladies with Knitting Needles -Photos by Salt Water New England |
It used to be that if you travelled to Ireland and brought back an Irish/Aran Fisherman sweater (or likely more than one) they would have been hand-knit. And by that, I mean made by Irish ladies with knitting needles. And I am talking about pure wool, often Merino wool. Not wool blends and certainly not cotton.
While it was once the case that virtually all Aran Sweaters, or Irish Fisherman Knit sweaters, were hand-knit in Ireland, there are now three basic categories, which can easily confuse consumers. By design. These are hand-knit, hand-loomed, and machine made.
I have had them all. Irish knitwear companies have sent many to me and we have also had our own, bought at source, i.e., in Ireland. And it should say something that I currently only have the true hand-knits left, five of them to be exact, and one hand-loomed cardigan. The rest I have given away.
Beyond how they are made, I look at where they are made, and of what are they made.
Links are below, but also, be sure to take a look at her new and very beautiful website, and linger a bit on her homepage video.
I understand why some people prefer to go through the various U.S. based clothing stores. They sweaters are easier to return if you order the wrong fit, and shipping would appear to be faster. And it just feels familiar.
Photos by Salt Water New England
However, there is no reason not to buy them directly from Scottish vendor any longer, simply because they cost less. I compared a few items just now:
- Scottish vendor: Shetland Crew Neck is $135.00 (£108.00) for Men's, $127.50 (£102.00) for Women's plus shipping of £22 (plus £2 per extra item) for DHL Two Day Shipping to the USA. (Shaggy Brushing from £12.00.)
- U.S. Importer #1: Shetland Crew Neck is $195.00 plus shipping of $15.00 (UPS Ground) or $30.00 (2-Day).
- U.S. Importer #2: Brushed Shetland Crew Neck is $245.00 with Free Shipping.
For whatever reason, U.S. clothing stores and companies have grown very comfortable with substantial mark-ups. This either means you pay more for your sweater, or you get a lesser quality for the same price. So unless there is a specific color that you can only get from a US vendor, buy directly from Scotland. They are often from the same Scottish producer.
However, I do recommend getting comfortable using an overseas vendor's sizing chart. And if you are not sure between two sizes, order larger the first time.
Buy hard, dress easy,
Muffy
For example (Bosie is owned by a Harley family member):
- Men's Shetlands <https://bosieco.squarespace.com/shetland-shop?category=*+MEN>
- Women's Shetlands <https://bosieco.squarespace.com/shetland-shop?category=*+WOMEN>
- Women's Harley of Scotland Seamless Saddle Shoulder Shetland Sweater - Kelly Green <https://bosieco.squarespace.com/shetland-shop/womens-harley-of-scotland-seamless-saddle-shoulder-shetland-sweater-kelly-green>
- Women's Harley of Scotland Seamless Saddle Shoulder Shetland Sweater - Ice Sea Blue <https://bosieco.squarespace.com/shetland-shop/womens-harley-of-scotland-seamless-saddle-shoulder-shetland-sweater-ice-sea-blue>
Women's Harley of Scotland Seamless Saddle Shoulder Shetland Sweater - Kelly Green (and Iced Sea Blue Behind It)
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| Photo by Salt Water New England |
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| Photo by Salt Water New England |
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| Photo by Salt Water New England |
This is her own design from ten years ago, which she did for Harley of Scotland, her family's company. Shown here in Honey, she also offers one in Duck Egg Blue, as well as a cardigan in Honey. And three different Strawberry Patch colors for the children at Little Bosie!
Shown:
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| Photos by Salt Water New England |
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| A Lowell Brothers Cruiser (Royal or Carroll) |
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| Men's Bosie Chunky 4Ply Glenugie Nep Trawlerman in Mull, Made in Scotland |
"Yes, one of the brightest gems in the New England weather is the dazzling uncertainty of it." - Mark Twain
A Hot Yesterday... (Photos by Salt Water New England)
Shown:
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| Photos by Salt Water New England |
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| Photos by Salt Water New England |
Imagine someone told you that Brooks Brothers is offering a "luxe" sweater "spun from an ultra-soft Italian-spun merino blend" that combines their golden fleece logo with an intarsia tiger motif to celebrate the Lunar New Year. (From Wikipedia: "Intarsia is a knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colours" and "[a]rgyle socks and sweaters are normally done in intarsia".).
Take a moment and consider what this could look like. Now click on the link to see how close you came:
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| Warmth without Bulk - Harley of Scotland's Shetland Sweater from Bosie Knitwear of Scotland - Photos by Salt Water New England |
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| Photos of/by Muffy Aldrich |
Supersoft and comfortable, but also durable, the Mens' Blue Mogganer Trawlerman is a thicker 4-ply.
Shown:
My first one:
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| Photos by Salt Water New England |
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| Admiral 4 Ply Geelong Polo Neck Sweater - Naval Jack |
Also Shown:
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| Made in England |
Hi Muffy,I enjoy reading your blog - it has lots of great insights, and has introduced me to some wonderful new-to-me brands (I've become a Lotuff Leather devotee.)I'm writing because I recently had a chat with the owner of a company called AlterKnit <https://alterknitnewyork.com/>, about a sweater I sent in for repair. If you haven't heard of AlterKnit, they are (I believe!) the very best at almost magically erasing snags, moth holes, repairing unravelled hems... anything a precious sweater might need, they can do it, tremendously well. They've saved several of my favorite knits over the years. Given your emphasis on helping readers think carefully about buying and preserving high quality items, I thought you might consider giving AlterKnit a nod on your blog. As you might imagine, the number of garments they receive for loving restoration has declined over time, sadly. I'd love to spread the word about what they can do.Thanks for all the work that goes into your blog - it's a delight!Best,
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| Photo by Salt Water New England |
Dear Muffy,
I was curious if your readers had any experience with Devold Sweaters? One would think that L.L. Bean had invented the Norwegian Birdseye Sweater, but there appears to be several others that had come before them. I have been hearing a lot about Devold, based in Norway, and specifically that the quality is much higher. I have been less than thrilled with the Bean version. Any thoughts?
A reader question:
Dear Editor:
I am interested in either a Lambswool or a Shetland sweater. I have found explanations as to the difference in construction and origin, but not as to the relative merits. For someone that lives in a milder climate, and who is just looking to purchase one sweater, which type would be best? Also, does anyone have experience with Community Clothing Lambswool Sweaters?
\Cordially Yours,
