KNITTING YOUR ‘GANSEY’ 

As a guide, the average adult Guernsey sweater weighs between 850 and 900 grams. 

 The approximate yardage is 2.48yds/2.26mtrs to 2.56yds/2.34mtrs per gram, depending on the dye colour and moisture content. 

For knitting traditional ganseys you will be knitting to a gauge of 32 stitches and 36 rows of 4 inches, this is usually achieved on size 2.25mm (US size 1) needles. 

Sadly I am experiencing great difficulty in sourcing knitting needles; however, I have found a great website that will be able to help you in the UK - take a look at Jamieson & Smith in Shetland www.shetland-wool-brokers.zetnet.co.uk or www.kangaroo.uk.com where you will find a terrific range.

A pattern for hand knitting a traditional Guernsey Island sweater ‘in the Round’ or on two needles is available on request with your wool order for £1.00. 

I am proud to be able to offer a  range of Beth Brown-Reinsel's beautiful patterns for 5-ply knitting in stock - email me for list of patterns  and prices.  I also have her exquisite book - Knitting Ganseys, which shows you in clear photographs exactly how to achieve a professional looking gansey from the first cast-on to the finished garment.  An absolute must for beginners and improvers - £15.99.  Have a look at Beth's site at www.knittingtraditions.com to see her range of beautiful work.

I also have a range of Liz Lovick's Traditional Scottish Gansey patterns along with hat, mittens, scarf and socks all at £2.50 each.

A very talented British designer Caroline Bawn, is working on some more unusual, modern, patterns to be knitted in Guernsey Wool and she has kindly let me have a pattern she has written for a Circular Shrug.  This clever garment is knitted in rib in two pieces - two small for the 1st size, one small, one large for the 2nd size and two large for the 3rd size.  It is easy to wear and extremely striking and what is more, it only takes one 500g cone of Frangipani 5-ply.  Pattern - £2.50

A machine knitting pattern especially written for Frangipani by top UK designer Rose King is available for Men, Women and Children, price £1.95.

For those who wish to machine knit a Guernsey ‘type’ drop sleeve sweater with a cut and sew neck there is a free ‘Rough Guide’ available. This 5-ply wool is the maximum thickness that can be knitted on a standard gauge machine and therefore spraying the wool cone at intervals with a silicon spray is highly recommended for smooth running.  It is absolutely ideal for knitting with a Brother machine with a Garter Carriage.

If you are someone who likes to "cut and sew" your necks, we have secured a stock of Carl Boyd's famous neck template to take the worry out of marking your work.  This template is so easy to use, just lay the template on your knitting and mark around the smooth, sturdy edge with dressmakers chalk and you have a perfect pattern to cut out.  The template has instructions for different widths and depths of round necklines and instructions are also included for "vee" necks.  Made from sturdy plastic this template will last you a lifetime and is an absolute must for all your cut and sew necklines, price £4.99.

Note: The books advertised in this pack contain hand-knitting patterns with stitch patterns specific to many fishing villages around the British coasts, including Cornwall and the East Coast of England, Scotland and the Outer Islands.  These stitch patterns are many and varied and could be adapted for use in many types of knitwear.

Updated 10th December 2007