You probably picture a fisherman wearing a thick knitted jumper. There is more to the jumper, or gansey, than just keeping warm. These garments have a fascinating history. In this article, you can learn more about the fishermen's ganseys of the North Yorkshire coastal villages.
The coastline of North Yorkshire has a fascinating history of fishing and seafaring. One of the most iconic symbols of this heritage is the traditional gansey. Each village along the coast has its unique pattern passed down through generations of skilled knitters. This article will explore the history and significance of fishermen's ganseys of the North Yorkshire coastal villages.
What is a gansey?
The gansey is a traditional hand-knitted pullover worn by fishermen who fished for herring off the coasts of Britain. Particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. These garments were practical. They were more flexible than a jacket yet robust enough to keep out wind and light showers. Women often knitted them and featured elaborate patterns.
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What makes a fisherman's gansey?
You will first notice how finely and tightly they are knitted. The wool used to knit ganseys is called Guernsey 5-ply. A hard twist worsted spun wool that is available from specialist suppliers. This is a very fine yarn that knits up into a tight mesh.
Besides the type of yarn, the needle size is another crucial factor that contributes to the tightness of gansey knitting. Typically, 2.25 mm needles are used, resulting in a stitch gauge of approximately 8 to 9 stitches per inch and 12 rows per inch. However, personal stitch gauges may vary.
Like other traditional pullovers, ganseys are knit in the round. Starting from the bottom and working up to the armpit gussets to create a tube. Half of the stitches are transferred to a holder while the other half are worked back and forth up to the shoulders. The first half is then worked back and forth up to the shoulders as well.
Finally, the shoulders are joined by knitting them together and casting off. To create the collar, stitches are picked up around the neck, and the collar is knit as another tube from the bottom up. The sleeve is then knit from the shoulder down, in the round as a tube, decreasing as you go, ending in a ribbed cuff which is cast off. This process is repeated for the other sleeve.
Ganseys were traditionally knit one colour
In the past, a gansey was typically knitted using only one colour: navy blue or cream. However, nowadays, suppliers have become more innovative and offer a diverse range of appealing shades!
Fishermen's ganseys of the North Yorkshire coastal villages
Each village and family had their unique pattern for the ganseys worn by fishermen.
It is believed widely that the reason for creating these patterns for different villages was so that they could be used to identify their bodies in case of accidents or shipwrecks.
However, there is little evidence for this. Many designs were even replicated for example, the Staithes and Whitby “Henry Freeman” pattern of alternating rows of knit 2/purl 2 pops up everywhere from Cornwall to Yorkshire.
To add a personal touch, many fishermen had their initials stitched into their sweaters. Although it's a pretty decorative detail, some say that this was another way it helped identify the body should the fisherman fall victim to the sea.
Patterns passed down from generation to generation
The patterns were passed down from generation to generation through word of mouth, as they were not written down. It took around six weeks to hand-knit a gansey, usually done by mothers, wives, and sweethearts. The ganseys were knitted seamlessly in one piece on five or more small needles using four or five ply wool that was both fine and hardwearing. These were knitted tightly to ensure they were as weatherproof as possible. The tighter the knitting, the more resistant the gansey was to water and weather.
The gansey jumpers design could vary from a simple “working” garment to a more sophisticated one that was reserved for special occasions like visiting church. The latter featured more stitch patterning than the former. Inspired by everyday objects that fishermen observed at sea, like rope, netting, and ladders
Where can I buy a fisherman's gansey? Berties of Bay
Berties of Bay, based in Robin Hood's Bay, has found a unique way to knit traditional ganseys. From local Yorkshire patterns, without seams, using modern machinery. This allows the shop to make them more affordable for most people. The ganseys will last a lifetime, and the shop is proud to offer a little bit of history to its customers.
Along with gansey jumpers and beanies, the shop sells fisherman's smocks and anchor belts. While the gansey is the most popular product, the shop has also made wearing fisherman's smocks trendy. The shop offers three different gansey patterns: Robin Hood Bay, Staithes and Whitby. The team is now looking to introduce a couple more patterns from further down the coast.
Ganseys served as a source of warmth and protection for the fishermen. But they are more than just jumpers; they tell tales of the lives, challenges, and aspirations of the people who wore them. It's lovely to see them made and worn today, keeping the legacy alive.
I would like some information on what I can do with a collection of traditional ganseys . They belonged to Michael Pearson, Michael Pearson’s Traditional Knitting. I am in Western Australia, Michael died in 2016.
Hi Patricia. You may wish to contact Berties of Bay in Robin Hood’s Bay. They might be able to point you in the right direction.
Hi would be interested in these if still available