Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Whitby Ganseys


Gansey sweaters are found in this village. These sweaters were knit by the women of the village for their fisherman. Each village had their own identifiable knitting pattern design motif, related to the sea. When fisherman were found dead on the shoreline, they could be identified by their pattern and sent back to their village. They are knit with tightly spun yarn, to repel water. The patterning on the front and back is the same so it's reversible and the thickness of the patterning also keeps them warmer. The bottom is left rather plain so when it becomes too worn out, it can be unraveled and re-knit. It is tight fitting so it's warmer and so it doesn't come off in the water if they died. For more info:
http://www.manorhouse.clara.net/knitwear/ganseys.htm
http://www.manorhouse.clara.net/knitwear/history.htm

1 comment:

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