For hundreds of years the fishermen of the British Isles have gone to the sea wearing Guernsey and Jersey sweaters.  Among landlubbers as well, these sweaters are perennially popular, but, especially in this country it is often hard to find practical instructions for the patterns that are traditional in Britain.  Here is a book that presents fully 82 different genuine folk patterns for both the lighter weight Jerseys and the heavier Guernseys, and diagrams many more patterns that you can use in your knitting.

 The author gives the names of the stitches and patterns traditionally used in making Jerseys and Guernseys, and she tells you exactly how to knit every sweater in this book using those patterns and stitches.  Here you will find patterns taken from sweaters found in Yorkshire, Norfolk, the west coat of Ireland, the Scottish Hebrides, and the Aran Islands.  These are sweaters that have often been handed down from father to son for several generations, they wear so well.  Instructions for these sturdy sweaters are given row by row for knitting fronts, backs, sleeves, and necks, in the traditional fashion.  Each set of instructions is accompanied by a diagram of the pattern and, often, by a photograph of the finished sweater.  All of these sweaters can be worn by either men or women, but the author has also provided full directions for making two sets of sweaters and cardigans expressly adapted for ladies’ wear.  Mrs. Thompson also includes interesting information about the people who gave her the patterns for this book.

 If you knit, this book will help you show off your talents, whether you want to please yourself with sweaters for your own wear, or others with the handsome gifts you can make.

 Second, revised (1971) edition.  Preface.  162 Illustrations.  7 7/8” x 8 1/8”.  Paperbound

£13.99 + postage

KNITTING GANSEYS

Beth Brown-Reinsel

In Knitting Ganseys. Beth Brown-Reinsel teaches you how to design and construct these durable favorites.  You'll master special cast=ons, cables and increases, shoulder straps and gussets, and more.  In just a few hours you'll complete a miniature sample gansey, learning all about gansey construction as you go.

Then you're ready to knit one of the author's six full-size garments - or to create your own original design.  There's plenty of information on sizing, graphing and techniques - as well as blank cartoons and worksheets - to guide you through the process.

Knitting Ganseys, designed for knitters of every skill level, provides all you need to know to create modern versions of these old-world classics.

£15.99 + postage

Herring Girls Pink Gansey

I have Liz Lovick's pattern for Herring Girls Pink Gansey for sale at £2.50.  This is the pattern referred to on the home page which is a copy of an original found in Anstruther Museum Archives.  Yes, the Herring Girls that followed the fleet, gutted the fish and knitted the ganseys had their own ganseys in Pink, Green and Raspberry!  This pink one has been copied from the original by Liz and Frangipani has had the colour copied to give you a perfect replica of this delightful, feminine gansey.

£2.50 + 44p P&P

I can now offer several more of Liz's Patterns for both men and women's ganseys: Fair-Isle Gansey, Hoy Gansey, Stromness Gansey, also hat, mittens, socks and scarf patterns.

Updated 1st April 2008