Irish designer creates Taylor-made cardie for Swift

Taylor Swift’s grá for a traditional Irish geansaí has inspired an Irish designer – and confirmed Swiftie – to create a one-of-a-kind hand knitted cardigan which will be delivered to the pop star ahead of her gigs in Dublin this weekend.

Acclaimed Dublin designer Gabrielle Malone has teamed up with Fáilte Ireland to knit the cardie, which represents some of the locations in Ireland that Taylor has visited, as well as some Easter Eggs referencing her career.

The bespoke cardigan will be left in the singer’s dressing room ahead of her first show in Dublin this Friday evening.

Swift, who plays three sold-out shows in the Aviva this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, has visited Ireland many times over the years and has been spotted in Donegal, Wicklow, Limerick, and Cavan.

She caused a surge in sales for the traditional Irish geansaí when she wore an Aran jumper to promote her album, Folklore.

Each pattern on the Swift cardie represents each of the regions of Ireland she has visited.

The Wild Atlantic Way is represented with a Honeycomb stitch, a traditional Aran stitch inspired by beekeepers in Donegal, while West Limerick, where the Shannon meets the Atlantic, is represented by the wave stitch.

Ireland’s Ancient East is symbolised by a brick stitch, emblematic of the historic stone buildings that lie within this region, set against a backdrop of lush green landscapes.

Dublin gets a look-in with the Hurdle stitch, evoking the cobblestones of the city.

Swift’s birth year and album title, 1989, are stitched into the collar of the cardigan, and her lucky number 13 is one sleeve cuff, and her initials T.S. on the other.

Fáilte Ireland is also promoting a series of short break locations inspired by Swift, where fans can visit some of the locations she has visited, including the Wild Atlantic Way, where she was pictured at Donegal’s Ballymastocker Bay in Portsalon.

Swift has also visited Co Wicklow and her trip to the Garden of Ireland is referenced in her song Sweet Nothings with the lyrics “I spy with my little tired eye/Tiny as a firefly, a pebble/That we picked up last July/Down deep inside your pocket/We almost forgot it/Does it ever miss Wicklow sometimes?”

Fáilte Ireland have also made the pattern for the Taylor Cardigan available on the Discover Ireland website to give fans a chance to create their own version.

Speaking about the new campaign, Emma Woods, Head of Marketing Communications at Fáilte Ireland, said, “We are delighted to welcome Taylor Swift back to Ireland. Over the years, she has been a frequent visitor here – her love for Ireland translates into her music with subtle nods to places she’s visited woven through her lyrics.

“This inspired us to work with Gabrielle Malone, an incredible young designer, to create this cardigan for Taylor that is representative of Ireland.

“For all the Swifties out there, we have curated a list of Taylor-inspired stays around Ireland for you to visit – not only that, but we have also released the knitting pattern for anyone who wants to try their hand at creating their own version of our Taylor cardie – visit DiscoverIreland.ie.”

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