Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys, and Arans: Fishermen's Sweaters from the British Isles [Paperback]

Gladys Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1979

Save money, have more beautiful sweaters. "Fisherman's knit" sweaters, various types. 70 pattern variations. Authentic, collected in Hebrides, Aran Islands. 162 illustrations. "...a godsend to all knitters of Arans and Fishermen's jerseys."—Shawls.

Product Details

• Paperback: 173 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; 3 Revised edition (June 1, 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486227030
• ISBN-13: 978-0486227030
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #240,032 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys, and Arans;, September 18, 2000

By 

Sandra Eberhart (Alto, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys, and Arans: Fishermen's Sweaters from the British Isles (Paperback)

I am ordering a replacement copy for a book that has been "Read to Death". I have used the patterns in this book for many sweaters; it has a wealth of knit/purl and crossed stitch patterns for people who design their own knits. The sweater patterns themselves are less usefull, as they are knit very tightly in a much finer guage than most knitters would be interested in. Maybe if you have a machine that will do k/p patterning easily (mine won't). The Seahouses pattern is very lovely; I recommend it. It's also a good read for historical information on the history of these garments in the British Isles, and the author's search for information.

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars i had to weigh in, September 11, 2004

By 

E Rice (western ny state) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys, and Arans: Fishermen's Sweaters from the British Isles (Paperback)

when i saw this fabulous book got only four stars.

this in one of my absolute favorite knitting books--only EZ's (elizabeth zimmerman, for those knitters from another galaxy)_knitting without tears_ equals it in my heart. and if a knitter follows the advice and instructions in _knitting without tears_ and becomes a thinking knitter, this book is a delicious piece of cake.

yes, the gauge is british, from the 50s and earlier--before the idea that 'it takes too long' or 'it's too difficult' to use fine weight yarns. yes, you have to know something about knitting cables and purl brocade. but none of that is difficult. i used this book to design the third and fourth garments i knitted, and it has served as inspiration for more.

even if a knitter never actually uses the patterns, the historical information, social and textile, is wonderful.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peek into knitting history, November 4, 2004

By 

Nell Benton (Manassas, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys, and Arans: Fishermen's Sweaters from the British Isles (Paperback)

I love this book! It is part knitting book, part travelogue and very funny. It not only has many authentic patterns but tells the tale of a determined woman trying to collect patterns from real fishermen. A great read! I can't wait to make all the sweaters. A small intro helps the American knitter decode the English instructions and materials notes, which are somewhat difficult to grasp.
Nell