Our new yarn Arranmore is available in 18 stunning shades, all of which have names evoking the Irish landscape, language, and history. Donegal, where our mill is located, has a large Irish speaking population, and all of the road signage is listed in both English and Irish. After a short time you do get accustomed to the pronunciation of words that at first glance look impossible to decipher.
For our Arranmore color names, Daphne chose words that not only would evoke a color association deep within their meaning, but also tried to choose words that, while still recognizably Irish, were easier to pronounce and (mostly!) recognizable for English speakers.
Click through the images above using the arrows to read the story behind each of our Arranmore color names. (Image descriptions may not appear on all mobile devices.)
Is there a color that surprised you, or one that you’re dying to knit with that isn’t in your usual comfort zone? Get inspired to try something new. In the comments on the blog, let us know which of the colors speaks to you, and we’ll choose one winner to receive a skein of their choice of color and a copy of our Lacroagh hat! Contest closes Monday August 15th at 5pm.
So many fabulous colors! My choice to try would be Corcoran. It’s an unusual shade with particularly appealing tweedy bits. Looks good enough to eat.
I’m usually a person who likes bright colors, but St. Claire is interesting to me, especially since she is the patron saint of needlework! Thanks for the giveaway!
She is also, interestingly, the patron saint of television! We all know that needlework and watching tv go hand in hand!
I’m particularly intrigued by the Narin Beach color way. It definitely reminds me of the Irish coast, which I have been fortunate enough to photograph and explore on multiple occasions.
I love Meara, both because of the deep blue oceanic color, and because that’s my sister-in-law’s name. And she was born on St. Patrick’s Day–can’t get more Irish than that!
They are all so beautiful! I would be happy with any of the colors, but if I have to choose ruari, Ciaran and kinnego bay I just love the hats
Thankyou
I generally choose dark colors for my projects but St. Claire really sings to me. I would love to have a bit of it to work with. All the colors are quite lovely though.
I’m thinking an orange color would be nice. It’s between Orla or Bochra. Whichever is closest to orange.
Those blues! River Esque has me particularly charmed, even though I usually knit with neutrals and when I do spring for color I tend toward yellows and pinks.
Definitely a fan of the Malin Head color way! I really need to see how this knits up, I’m definitely seeing sweaters in this 😍.
It is a FANTASTIC sweater yarn. I have Carrowkeel blocking in the sink right now!
All are beautiful- but my favorite would have to be Narin beach!
Congratulations on so very many amazing colors with so very many interesting color names and color stories!!! My easy favorites are River Esque, Narin Beach and St Claire. They all sit front and center in my comfort zone. But, I love color, and I LOVE your question about what color surprised me and could be a new one that I would love to knit with…
That is BRADEN… "an Irish Gaelic word meaning ‘salmon’"… the "’Salmon of Knowledge’ creature" and "a wise man that was transformed into a salmon"… ♥♥♥
Surely one of the stranger folk legends!
Slieve Sunset is just sooooo beautiful….my fav colour. And I love Shamrock even though I never wear green…
They are all so beautiful! I can’t choose my favourite between Finian, Slieve Sunset and Glenveagh Castle.
Lovely wool and interesting colors! I do love the Bradan for its description "salmon of knowledge".
It is hard to pick but Kennego Bay is my favorite.
You and everyone else! It’s been one of our best selling colors this week!
I was lucky to travel to Ireland 4 years ago and thought the entire country was stunning – from the ocean and rivers to the moors and cliffs and towns, big and small.
I am drawn to Narin Beach – I loved being on the shore in Ireland – breathtaking!
Thank you for sharing the info behind the name and the giveaway! Keeping my fingers crossed!
Way too hard to pick just one, however will settle on Corcoran as my favourite – Odhran would be my 2nd choice.
I love Corcoran. Those flecks of green in there really get me.
brannagh looks like fall in a skein of yarn! SO pretty!
Narin Beach is so subtle but beautiful, and reminds me of the pale sky in winter. I also love Malin Head, dark and stormy describes winter here in Canada at times too!
Very excited to see Slieve Sunset in the color palette. Definitely sweater worthy for me!
Narin beach would be beautiful for a hat and mittens!
Meara would make a great hat or mittens! Thank you for the contest and beautiful yarns.
I love all the tweedy colors, but my favorite is probably Slieve Sunset. The color I would choose just depends on what I was making. Savannagal on Rav.
Lovely tweedy colours but I love Narin Beach, it makes me think of the kind of beaches I like to walk along early in the morning.
I’m typically drawn to greens and yellows, but St. Claire is really calling my name! It’s so creamy and lovely!
Narin Beach is so pretty and unique!
Hard to choose just one, but I think I’m leaning towards Corcoran. Such a beautiful purple!
Bradan is a fascinating color. Is red, orange or pink or all three colors? A hat in Bradan would be lovely.
I’m not usually drawn to brown shades, but Ciaran is so lovely with its colorful neps that I think it’s my favorite. Thanks for the lovely giveaway!
I ALWAYS end up gravitating to blue….light blue, dark blue, navy, midnight….but this time, I fell for Shamrock… so full of life. A colour to wear in winter, when everything so dull and dreary!