The yarn contributed to the long life of the sweater and made the sweater more wind and water-resistant, but it sure didn’t add to the wearer’s comfort! It originates from the Island of on A Look at the Origins of the Gansey Sweater, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Attire Club Style Portfolio: The Truth about T-Shirts, Quotes from the October 2018 Issue of InCompany by Attire Club, Professional Fashion and Style Consultance. Interestingly, the front and back of the sweaters were knitted identically so that they could be reversed in cases of excessive wear at the elbows or elsewhere. This is your chance to create the perfect garment for your own unique needs. The original sweater styles, with a “diamond” insert at the underarm for ease of movement, were worn primarily by Guernsey’s fisherman, the jumper later became popular throughout coastal Britain where each seafarer wore a “Gansey”. To find the ancestor of the Aran sweater, we travel not to the windswept Aran islands of Galway Bay, but 400 miles South-East… to the Channel Islands, and Guernsey in particular. In the spirit of the release of the 25th anniversary edition of Knitting Ganseys, let’s take a quick look at what makes these two types of traditional knitting unique. Do you hate the feeling of the cold air up your sleeves? The island has a long history, dating back many centuries. Make your sweaters cuffs more fitted. I think I need a bit of practice to get the balance right on the panelling too! If you don't take practicality into account when starting a knitting project, you are doing yourself (and your wardrobe!) 2021 Attire Club by Fraquoh and Franchomme, The complete men's style, fashion and lifestyle experience. Make your knits slightly cropped to flatter this silhouette. Is it a gansey or an aran? I'm fascinated by the concept of designing stitches based on the mundane objects we encounter in our everyday lives! Many regions had their own stitch designs which were also incorporated into their sweaters. "Gansey miraculously survived this encounter—though it left him traumatized—and it sparked his intense desire to find the ancient Welsh k… FISHER LASSIE is a cardigan version of the gansey sweaters often worn by the 19th century fishermen of British coastline communities. Traditionally, Ganseys are knitted from 5 ply wool in a deep navy colour, naturally dyed from Indigo. Learn how your comment data is processed. When outgrown, the garments were either passed down or refashioned to fit smaller members of the family. It took an average of 84 hours to complete a sweater – more elaborate styles took more, while designs that were simpler, took rather less. While there are those who can spot the differences between the two sweaters from a mile away, it can be easy to confuse the two traditional knitting styles. This was about 60% of all the recorded Gansey's in the USA. The Gansey family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. At the same time, the lower sleeves where most wear is sustained, are left plain so the worn part can be unravelled and re-knitted, which makes the sweater very long-lasting. The effort was in many cases worth it; as such a sweater would last for decades and was even passed down through generations. A gansey (or guernsey) is a hardwearing, hand knitted, woolen sweater, which has been worn by fishermen around the coast of Britain for many years and whose style is still processed today in everyday fashion. Its fine texture has been known to “resist sunshine, salt water, and biting winds”. No wonder in the 19th and 20th century, these jumpers were highly popular. Knitting Ganseys is a well-organized, attractive, and practical guide to knitting gansey sweaters. It features the distinctive stitch patterning of that era but incorporates modern styling, fit and elegant construction techniques. Image Source: Flamborough Marine Gansey History. I'm fascinated by the history of the gansey sweater because it exemplifies exactly how I feel about knitting a more wearable wardrobe. The silhouette was boxy with dropped shoulders and a square stand-up collar. Someone else on the ley line is dying when they should not, and so you will live when you should not. Although basically a working garment it was also an acceptable and respectable form of dress for Sundays and special occasions. When you knit your own clothing, you have a fantastic opportunity to customise them to your own personal requirements. * I hate knitting swatches – it feels like time wasted when I could be knitting a gansey! In 1840 there were 3 Gansey families living in New York. A Gansey was normally knitted in blue and white in distinctive patterns. Stylewise, ganseys are very versatile pieces: you can wear them with dress pants or with jeans, you can wear them with a coat or throw on a sporty vest when taking a hike. Using a tightly spun 5-ply worsted wool (popularly known as "Seamen's Iron") the intricately patterned Gansey is knitted in one piece on five steel needles. In searching for the perfect gansey yarn, the type of yarn traditionally used in these hardy fishermen’s sweaters is relatively rare. The Gansey knitters carefully considered how they could knit these sweaters into high-performing pieces of workwear. The Guernsey’s knitting industry can be dated back to the late 15th century when a royal grant was obtained to import wool from England and re-export knitted goods to Normandy and Spain. The wool from which gansey jumers are made is knitted very tightly, with the purpose of “turning water”. History of the Sweater. Guernsey is one of the Channel Islands in the English Channel near the French coast, and is a self-governing British Crown dependency. Gansey sweater is worked sideways, Back and … See below for the button to click to purchase the digital, downloadable version of this DVD. Moreover, the combination of seamless construction, fine wool and tight knitting resulted in a garment that is simultaneously wind and waterproof. Indeed, each part of the garment is designed with practicality in mind. Used in coastal England (and also in some countries across the North Sea) in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, gansey wool is a worsted-spun, high-twist sportweight yarn constructed of five plies. The texture stands out against solid color and a variety of stitches maintain the crocheter’s interest throughout the project. Whilst this is a charming decorative detail, some say that this was to help identify the body should the fisherman fall victim to the sea. Each style has its own name and particularities. Do you wear gansey sweaters? A gansey is usually knit with a hard-wearing dark blue yarn with a very tight twist. As a ten year old child, Gansey — who has a deadly allergy to wasps — stumbled across a nest of them in the woods outside of the home of a family friend. How do you wear them? Do you find pure wool itchy? Liev Arts P.S. what a delight to find others interested in these wonderful designs–now, retired, i have more time to use what i have collected over the past yrs. The Gansey sweater is one of the most practical garments in the history of knitwear. Here, I used: double moss stitch, diamonds, ladder stitch and moss stitch. My first attempt at a traditional Gansey stitch layout. The most Gansey families were found in the USA in 1880. The design of a classic gansey sweater could vary from a very simple "working" garment to something more elaborate that would be worn for special occasions, such as church. See more ideas about knitting, fisherman sweater, knitting patterns. Most of the time the patterns for these sweaters are passed down through the generations not through written word but through memorization. Peter Heylindescribed the manufacture and export of … Many of the fishing communities lived in isolated areas, meaning that they had no choice but to be self-sufficient. Yes, that is very specific. The fine ganseys were often made by women who were going to get married, and who wanted to show society who they were through the style and workmanship they put in their fiancées’ sweaters. For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram! The Gansey (or Guernsey) sweater is a hard-wearing, seamless sweater worn by Fishermen who spent their days at sea. Back in the original comments, Dianna had uncovered a men’s fashion blog that had posited that DDL’s had come from Flamborough Marine, purveyors of handknit ganseys, and they do offer a version called, you guessed it, the Staithes Gansey. In which color do you prefer them? What would your stitches look like? But all experienced knitters swear by them, and they’re kinda right. Nov 29, 2015 - Explore BJ Hinman's board "Knit Gansey, Aran & their History", followed by 124 people on Pinterest. Gansey pullovers are made from a tightly spun 5-ply worsted wool (popularly known as “Seamen’s Iron”), which is knitted in one piece on five steel needles. As a hand knitter, you have the incredible opportunity to tailor your garments to your own requirements too. Every feature of this sweater has been carefully chosen to meet the daily needs of its wearer, yet it is highly attractive too. Attire Club This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In Cornwall alone, twenty-four principal patterns have been identified, each one drawing inspiration from ropes, chains, waves, nets and sand-prints. A traditional Aran Jumper usually is off-white in colour, with cable patterns on the body and sleeves. P.S. Find out about the fascinating history of these sweaters... A gansey (or guernsey) is a hardwearing, hand knitted, woollen jumper which has been worn by fishermen around the coast of … In today's article, I will be sharing more about the history of the Gansey sweater to inspire you to knit garments that are both beautiful and practical. I'd love to hear about ways that you make your own knitted garments more practical. The lack of seams leads to a greater impermeability and strength; the underarm gusset allows the wearer freedom of movement. InCompany by Attire Club Gansey sweater is worked sideways, Back and Front separately. Parts of the sweaters were unravelled and mended when needed meaning that the colour of the indigo could vary wildly in one garment as parts of the fabric aged. A guernsey, or gansey, is a seaman's knitted woollen sweater, similar to a jersey, which originated in the Channel Island of the same name, sometimes known as a knit-frock in Cornwall, especially Polperro. In some designs, seam stitches were simulated, however, they were purely aesthetic. Does your wardrobe mainly comprise of high-waisted skirts and trousers? After that I wanted the real thing and switched to 2.25mm needles and guernsey 5-ply yarn. How to wear sporty men’s sweaters: 10 tips. The texture stands out against solid color and a variety of stitches maintain the crocheter’s interest throughout the project. He was viciously attacked, but, as he lay dying, he heard the words: "You will live because of Glendower. The patterning across the chest and back serves not just a stylistic purpose, but it provides extra insulation as well. The gansey came into being as a garment for fishermen who required a warm, hard-wearing, yet comfortable item of clothing that would resist the sea spray. In many cases, the fisherman's initials were stitched into the sweater. Gansey sweaters were knitted by the wives for their husbands. The History of Knitting in Cornwall: Cornwall used to have a thriving knitting industry with each fishing port or even families having their own unique pattern for their 'Cornish Gansey Jumpers'. : A Gansey is a distinctive woollen sweater, originally designed to provide protection for fishermen from wind and water but which is ideal for all outdoor activity. Guernsey sweaters were cast on and off in "double wool" for a rather bulky, but highly durable edge. Learn by doing: Knit along with Beth with step-by-step instruction and demonstration of a doll-sized sampler sweater. As a fun fact, ganseys that were made for children were made larger, so that the child can grow up and wear the same pullover. Traditionally dark blue, ganseys were hand-knitted using inventive combinations of stitches. The gansey sweater is a great example of how an item charged with practicality and symbolism became a fashion staple that is a clear reference to an old, rough past. I tried the "double wool" cast on, but find the way that it spreads unsightly. Gansey knitting kits cost from £80.70 and contain five-ply worsted Guernsey wool, a set of five double-ended 2.5mm steel needles, individual body and sleeve charts, and full … Sweaters were knitted in the round. Likewise, the knitting patterns for these sweaters were also passed down through the generations, purely from memory. Generally, looking at the gansey styles, there are two types of this sweater: one is a “working” gansey and the other is a “finer” type. From the author of the classic best-selling book on Gansey knitting, this DVD provides an introduction to the tradition of this elegant, practical sweater. a big disservice. The inspiration for this sweater comes from rich textural effects found in gansey sweaters. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Guernsey is one of the Channel Islands in the English Channel near the French coast, and is a self-governing British Crown dependency. Because the pattern is the same on both sides, the gansey is reversible, so that parts which come in for heavier wear, such as the elbows, can be alternated. These jerseys, known as ganseys, became and intrinsic part of the identity of the Dutchmen who wore them, and their daily lives as fishermen. They were also knitted for their children. Using a tightly spun 5-ply worsted wool (popularly known as "Seamen's Iron") the intricately patterned Gansey is … The knitting industry of Guernsey Island goes back to the 15th century, when a royal grant was obtained. Gansey sweaters were traditionally knitted by the fishermen’s wives and the pattern was passed down from mother to daughter through the generations. They served two purposes. The guernsey is the mainstay of Guernsey's knitting industry which can be dated back to the late 15th century when a royal grant was obtained to import wool from England and re-export knitted goods to Normandyand Spain. Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! Ganseys come today in almost all colors and styles, which makes them even better. Fishing sweaters spread widely and many other countries adapted them. Often, gussets were added under the arms for greater ease of movement when working on the boat. New York had the highest population of Gansey families in 1840. Sleeves are worked separately from bottom up. We want to hear from you! The gansey sweater was a garment developed on this island and became a staple of fishermen, as they required a hard-wearing, warm and comfortable garment that would withstand the spray of the sea. Please share them in the comments section below! Today, they have entered in the fashion world as well and are worn by many men (and women alike), not just by sailors. These smarter sweaters featured much more stitch patterning than their working counterparts. The Gansey? The gansey dates from the end of the 18th century and is closely associated with fishermen and sailors. The navy sweater is a familiar sight and is worn not only as a tradition, but also for the quality of the knitted fabric. Bringing you Attire Club for free takes hundreds of hours each month. Sweaters were often knitted by Fishermen's wives (or prospective wives) to protect their husbands from the ruthless conditions at sea. Visible mending at it's finest! It all began with Gansey sweaters. The Gansey (or Guernsey) sweater is a hard-wearing, seamless sweater worn by Fishermen who spent their days at sea. It originates from the Island of Guernsey, where it was developed over 400 years ago. Making ganseys was also a business, as many families supplemented their incomes by making these jumpers. This makes in many ways gansey sweaters a part of the cultural heritage of the British Isles. Local women then altered the sweater and began knitting an all-over pattern. Rilo, Free Knitting Pattern, Hat, Cable Knitting, Gladys Thompson's Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys & Arans. The latter was worn on occasions or as Sunday attire. Growing up with Gansey knitters, a child would start on small items, e.g. For the same reason, some Gansey sweater designs feature split, straight welts at the hem rather than ribs. If you find useful information and stimulation here, we would appreciate a donation of your choosing that will allow us to continue to expand and enhance our concept. Their tough style with a soft twist is enjoyed by many as they make great autumn or winter pieces. My first knitting project was a gansey-inspired chunky sweater. The patterning on the back and front and sometimes the upper part of the sleeve, which characterizes the style, provides an extra layer of protection. It originates from the Island of Guernsey, where it was developed over 400 years ago. It's thought that the guernsey may have been modified to become the gansey sweater. 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