Rose Cottage Ltd

Yesterday we looked at some beautiful Alpaca sweaters and a solid, heavy-duty WWII Military sweater with patch elbows. Free shipping has been extended through December 15th so, now’s a great time to finish that Christmas shopping. Time is running short…

Today we’ll see what the world of Aran has to help us keep warm this winter…which believe it or not, hasn’t even started yet!! Below are 3 of many available from National Geographic Online!

Women’s Irish Aran Turtleneck Sweater

Available in black, natural or red and at just under $150, this 100% Merino wool sweater is made in Ireland and will certainly keep you warm!

For hundreds of years, women in the rural villages of the Aran Islands off the western coast of Ireland have knit natural wool sweaters for their fisherman kin. Although the myth that you can identify island families by the stiches in their sweater—like a Scottish tartan—isn’t true, every knitter does have her own special patterns, passed down through generations of mothers and grandmothers. At weekly gatherings, they continually invented intricate new stitches.

Women’s Irish Aran Merino Wool Long Cardigan

I like a long sweater – this is a great option. In natural at $159.00.

Stay cozy indoors or out with this thigh-length Aran knit sweater. These iconic symbols of Ireland’s northern Aran Islands are well known for their intricate stitches and symbolism. In this flattering cardigan, the honeycomb stitch symbolizes the hard work of the honeybee and the rewards of an industrious life. The cable stitch stands in for the fishing rope that was so essential to livelihood on the islands. Knit from 100% merino wool, with a button front.

Irish Asymmetrical Cardigan

Here’s a sweater option with a bit of asymmetrical style! In natural or blue – for $149.00.

In a contemporary twist on traditional Irish Aran knitting, this cardigan has an asymmetrical wrap style with a single button that creates a cowl-like neck. The textured wool sweaters of the Aran Islands have become a worldwide symbol of Irish culture. The patchwork of different stitches speaks to the ingenuity of generations of knitters.

A week and a day until the first day of Winter 2013 which starts December 21st – and only TWELVE days left until Christmas. Great news for kids – shop online and those twelve days won’t seem to fly quite so fast for those with long and unfinished gift lists!

Set aside all the jokes about some of the strange sweaters people have received as Christmas gifts and remember that as a gift itself, you really can’t go wrong with a sweater.

Below are some of my favorites. Made to last a lifetime…

UPDATE: Just In – Free Shipping extended to December 15, 2013!

Tiwanaku Textiles Alpaca Sweater

On sale now for $129.99 (normally $179!)

In the Bolivian high plains, amid the snowcapped Andes, the pre-Inca Tiwanaku culture thrived for more than 500 years. So far only a fraction of the civilization’s ruins have been excavated, yet it has yielded some of the earliest and more remarkably well-preserved textiles found in the Americas. Their art features highly abstracted figures, that originally expressed real places, animals, or cultural events but over time became icons with symbolic meaning. The high degree of abstraction in the art of Tiwanaku has inspired several art historians to compare their art to modern abstract movements, including Cubism. The intricate, interlocked geometric patterns on this alpaca fiber sweater are adapted from woven Tiwanaku tunics made around 500 A.D.

La Paz Alpaca Sweater

Two color options: Red or Black. Price: $175.

This geometric sweater is a fine example of the 3,500-year-old alpaca wool tradition of the Andes. In La Paz, Aymara artisans work with patterns that have belonged to their culture for millennia. More than 20 shades of superfine alpaca wool blend in a generously sized, cool-weather highland pullover handmade from the most insulating natural material on Earth.

Men’s Grecas Alpaca Sweater

Hard to find this sweater at a lower price than $189!

Indigenous Bolivian craftsman translate grecas—repeating geometric patterns—from the traditional garments of the Tarabuco region in this 3/4-zip pullover. The design is an interpretation of barroco mestizo style, in which indigenous and Spanish cultures have struck an aesthetic balance. This lightweight and cozy 100% alpaca sweater is hand knit by artisans in Bolivia.

And back with one of my personal favorites…

Wool WWII Military Sweater

Available in either Olive or Navy and priced for Christmas at $139!

Part of standard-issue military wear during WWII, sweaters like this olive wool pullover were popular among servicemen for comfort, durability, and easy pullover warmth. The shawl-collar style buttons up to cut the cold just as it did onboard aircraft carriers in the ’40s. Cotton twill canvas-reinforced elbows add durability. Imported.

Save on these and hundreds of other unique gift options at National Geographic Online!

Just got the word from National Geographic’s online store…free shipping with NO minimum purchase…

TODAY ONLY!

Sweaters, maps, gift items, etc., etc. Take advantage of this one day offer!

Here are a few more gift ideas for you. Time to get cracking on your Christmas shopping!

Small Shona Crane Sculpture

The Shona are a diverse people who live in parts of Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Mozambique. Known for their stone carving, many Shona artisans quarry their own rapoko soapstone, which they chisel and polish with hand tools. This graceful pair represent the endangered wattled crane, a symbol of longevity whose habitat in Zimbabwe and throughout Africa is dwindling. Expect variations in coloring and carving as each is handmade and unique.

Small ($69) and large($79) sizes available or save a few bucks and buy the pair for $139.

If you have a spot that needs a bit of color…

Talavera-style Frog Planter

Talavera-style pottery techniques have been passed down through generations of Mexican craftspeople since the style was first introduced by Spaniards in the 17th century. The bright colors of this placid frog planter are part of the traditional color palette. Handcrafted in the talavera style in Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico.

Only $75 and click the links here for details on free shipping – NO Minimum!

Know someone who loves silver and who also likes bracelets with a bit of weight AND style?

Persia Bracelet

Only $32 each!

European art during the Renaissance was highly influenced by the goods coming from China along the Silk Road. Natural motifs of flowers and leaves decorated exquisite Chinese porcelain and began showing up in European furniture and jewelry designs. These silver-colored metal bangles borrow from the same cross-cultural tradition, referencing classic East-West patterns. Individual links strung on elastic give the appearance of a solid bangle, but have a universal fit that makes these a great gift idea.

Choose Persia (top), Fergana (center), or Yellow Rivers (bottom) Bracelets. Buy all 3 for only $79!

I moved this cactus to a larger pot about 3 months ago and it looks like it is returning the favor! There are buds all over it and a few blooms already open – much more activity than usual for this particular plant.

Most Christmas Cactus come in fairly small containers. Not sure why that is but it is obvious they can become large showy plants for winter months if given room to grow and increasing light and water from late summer on.