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

Gladys Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1979

This fully illustrated guide features 82 geniune patterns for traditional fishermen's sweaters. Collected from sources in the Hebrides, Aran Islands, and throughout the British Isles, these sweaters and cardigans for men and women range from lightweight jerseys to heavier guernseys. "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: 7.9 x 0.4 x 8.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #240,745 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 62 people found the following review helpful

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

By Sandra Eberhart

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.

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful

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

By E Rice

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.

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful

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

By Nell Benton

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

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys & Arans October 20, 2003

By Gillian M Davis

This book is a combination of history and knitting class.

As a history book it is brilliant, alive and sentimental.

It is also a wonderful knitting book except, I do believe you need to be a very experienced knitter to attempt these patterns and the language used in the instructions may be a little confusing.

I consider myself to be a very good knitter but I think this book requires another "picture" book to give more visual help to those of us who need to "see" rather than read instructions.

A wonderful read all the same.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dover saves vital crafts again August 5, 2006

By David Loomis

Once more Dover Publishing steps in to insure that good books whose copyright have expired don't simply go out of print forever.

Thompson's book on knitting patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys, & Arans is the result of hundreds of hours of research around the coasts of the British Isles, where each seaport had its own traditional sweater pattern. While this was useful in recognizing drowned sailors, it also is part of the British Folk tradition, which is rapidly vanishing in the face of modern day pursuits, where the young have no time for the old ways. This book preserves many of the traditional patterns of knitting sweaters, called Guernseys, Jerseys, and Arans for the islands on which they originated, so modern knitters can make sweaters in the old patterns, before they are lost forever. A great pattern book for the dedicated knitter, it also preserves these traditional patterns for the time when these sweaters are no longer commonly worn, and stands as an archaeological work of preservation.

Dave

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful patterns, but not for inexperienced! January 20, 2009

By M. Clifton

I have knit sweaters for years but never tried a guernsey until now. This book has oodles of great patterns to place into your sweater but if you haven't a clue how to get started, it would be difficult without experienced help. There are a few patterns which take you from the beginning through to finish but the remainder assumes you are designing the sweater and inserting patterns of your own design. I loved the stories of gathering the special designs of the individual villages and following the men around to determine what design was used and how it was done! That takes guts! Great book for my library and knit bag!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A gansey knitter's bible May 17, 2008

By Neville S. Orchard

Amazon Verified Purchase

I knew of this book before purchasing and when it arrived I was not disappointed. Gladys Thompson does a wonderful job of guiding a competant knitter through the tricky parts of making Cornish fishermen's sweaters (Ganseys,Geurnseas and Jerseys). Her knitting instructions are mixed with interesting history of the craft and I think the book is quite delightful.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Details "Stitch" Patterns But Only "Recipes" for Construction November 24, 2011

By TBM Devotee

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have lately turned back to Alice Starmore and her tightly constructed garments and in looking for more information on these lovely sweaters, I discovered this book and ordered it.

While I understood the practical purpose for heavy, dense, well-constructed garments for fishermen, I still always believed Alice Starmore held her needles with a death grip. The gauge is always so squeezeyourbumtogetherastightlyasyoucanwhilstwalking tight, it isn't always possible for the average knitter to do. Lots of complaints out there about the "impossibility" of getting the Starmore gauge.

These sweaters are seriously tightly knitted, something like 8 - 9 stitches to the inch on almost invisibly thin needles so if you don't like super small gauges, then you probably won't have fun making random stabs with your needle at the stitches on the other needle. Stick with DK or worsted and size 7s.

I am a loose knitter and have always been uncomfortable with larger sized gauges so I think I have found a home with these teeny, tiny made for pixies gauges.

All that said, the book definitely isn't what *Americans* are accustomed to when it comes to instructions for knitting. I understand that the old European patterns, particularly the Norwegian old school fair isle patterns, simply gave a rough suggestion of how to get the end result. It is presumed (think Dale of Norway) that Norwegian construction, stranding and steeking were learned before walking and talking.

Most American patterns seriously handhold the knitters with step by step instructions for everything from ribbing to finishing.

I'm enthralled and determined to design my own but be warned: it's more like the old Harmony Stitch Guides than a pattern book....

The history, storytelling and old photographs are more than worth the price of the book. Read more ›