CRAFTING ISLAND IDENTITY: CO-DESIGNING A RATHLIN FAIR ISLE AND RATHLIN ARAN

This paper presents research undertaken as part of the AHRC-funded Green Transition Ecosystem Future Island-Island project (£7M), which explores innovative uses for underutilised wool resources on Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland. Alongside investigations into rope, braid, non-wovens and knitted structures, this strand of the project focused on the cultural and technical traditions of Fair Isle and Aran knitting as vehicles for contemporary place-based design. Rathlin Island occupies a unique geographical and cultural position between Ireland and Scotland, reflecting influences from both traditions in language, heritage, and craft practice. Drawing upon oral histories collected on the island, the research examined local knitting narratives, including references to garments such as the knitted tammy, fishermen’s sweaters, and practical Aran-style garments adapted to island life and maritime occupations. These historical accounts provided the foundation for the development of a contemporary Rathlin Aran design. A complementary design fellowship investigated Fair Isle knitting traditions and their relevance to Rathlin. Through collaboration with island makers and crafters, a series of co-designed Fair Isle motifs were developed, drawing inspiration from local landscapes, heritage, biodiversity, and community narratives. Knowledge gained through the study of Fair Isle colourwork systems informed the creation of a distinctive Rathlin Fair Isle identity that reflects the island’s unique cultural position between the knitting traditions of Scotland and Ireland. The research adopts a practice-based and participatory approach, combining historical investigation, oral history, design development, and community engagement. It demonstrates how traditional knitting systems can be reinterpreted through contemporary co-design processes to create new expressions of place-based textile heritage. The paper discusses the resulting Rathlin Fair Isle and Rathlin Aran designs and considers their wider potential to support community craft activity, local wool utilisation, natural dyeing initiatives, cultural sustainability, and rural economic development. In doing so, it highlights the role of knitting as both a cultural archive and a catalyst for sustainable island futures.