Inis Meain knitwear

[zissou]

Generally, Inis Meain knits are not more expensive than cashmere knits from Johnstons, if you compare prices from UK shops. Furthermore, IM knits are hand knitted whereas Johnstons are likely not, making the two not quite as comparable in cost to produce.

 

[dieworkwear]

Not sure what you mean by hand knitted, but they use automatic machines. When Talarach took over the brand in the '80s - back when it was just a knitting co-op - he put in a lot of work to upgrade the company's technology. You can see some of their machines in this video

[VIDEO][/VIDEO]

If you're comparing that to the computerized knitting machines that go back and forth in knitting, then yes, they do involve more handwork, as you can see in that video. They also hand link the seams, rather than sew them together by machine.

I haven't owned any Johnston's knitwear, so I can't say how they compare. I do have some cashmere sweaters from Liang and Lockie, however. Both were more expensive than what I typically pay for a merino from Inis Meain (whether from an overseas or a US store)

From the merinos I've handled, Inis Meain's are a bit softer and plusher (likely from the cashmere mix). They're also more densely knitted, and usually carry more interesting designs or colors. The linens are also unique - at least the ones I've handled - in that they spring back to shape, rather than hang limp and lifeless, like most linen yarns do.

 

[dieworkwear]

(deleted. whoops, wrong video)

 

[zissou]

Well, yes, not hand knitted per se like Inverallan, but more hand work. Like you said, a thicker knit like IM's will use more yarn as well.

 

[SHS]



Buttons are horn.  

Thank you. I suspect my problem with the shoulders may have been caused by the way the knit was folded in the package. Or that it has been on a hanger. It is hard to explain, but it was as if a fold was protruding from the sleeves. I hope it will settle down.

 

[Find Finn]

You shouldn't put your knitwear on hangers ever.

 

[SHS]

Thank you for the reply, but I just received the cardigan today. It looks sorta like it has been on a hanger was what i meant.

 

[Caveat]

I think I know what you mean. Shoulders are a little puffy and have extra folds in them, as opposed to draping smoothly and laying down? I have an IM sweater that does that. It's not a flaw, just how they design them.

 

[SHS]

Yes it's something like that. Sleeves are made a bit puffy by the folds. Does it "settle" a bit with time?

 

[Caveat]

Haven't worn mine, but I kind of doubt it.

 

[SHS]

Thanks. Well, I still have have to decide whether I like it or not. Perhaps it is an effect of the hand linked seams that Dieworkwear mentions.

 

[zissou]

One thing I've noticed with some of the Aran cable knits from IM is that the body panels are very square, resulting in wide, puffy shoulders. Ideally, the shoulders should be narrower than the body. Some of the other models don't seem to have this problem.

 

[dieworkwear]



One thing I've noticed with some of the Aran cable knits from IM is that the body panels are very square, resulting in wide, puffy shoulders. Ideally, the shoulders should be narrower than the body. Some of the other models don't seem to have this problem.

 

[Caveat]

You know..that's actually a pretty good exaggeration of the effect and I thought of a shirt like that when trying to describe it.

 

[dieworkwear]



You know..that's actually a pretty good exaggeration of the effect and I thought of a shirt like that when trying to describe it.

Think of it as #sprezzatura.