Which multi-coloured diamond pattern, frequently seen on knitted socks and sometimes on jumpers is named after a Scottish clan
Argyle (pattern) Argyle (pattern) An argyle (occasionally argyll) pattern is made of diamonds or lozenges. The word is sometimes used to refer to an individual diamond in the design, but more commonly refers to the overall pattern. Most argyle contains layers of overlapping motifs, adding a sense of three-dimensionality, movement, and texture. Typically, there is an overlay of intercrossing diagonal lines on solid diamonds. The argyle pattern derives from the tartan of Clan Campbell, of Argyll in western Scotland, used for kilts and plaids, and from the patterned socks worn by Scottish Highlanders since at least the 17th century (see illustrations in
Aran jumper originated with John Millington Synge's 1904 play "Riders to the Sea", in which the body of a dead Islander is identified by his hand-knitted socks. However, even in the play, there is no reference to any decorative or Aran-type pattern. The socks are identified by the number of stitches, the quote being "it's the second one of the third pair I knitted, and I put up three score stitches, and I dropped four of them". While in the past, the majority of jumpers and other Aran garments were knitted by hand, today the majority of items for sale in Ireland