During our holidays in Devon, we crossed the border into Cornwall and the lovely fishing village of Polperro. If you happen to pass that way, do take the time to visit the excellent Heritage Museum. It has an amazing collection of old photographs recording the daily life of this fishing community. A section is dedicated to the traditional knitting of Guernseys, Ganseys or Knits-frocks as they are called in this part of the world. Naturally, I was fascinated by the stories of these women knitting jumpers for their men and boys, each one made unique by a change in the pattern and/or even the initials of the wearer knitted on the underarm gusset. I came out with a copy of this book. If you are interested in the making of traditional Guernseys and the history of this craft in Cornwall, this book is a Must.
My husband set me a challenge by asking me to knit him one of those Knit-frocks and I am seriously tempted to have a go. I realise it could take me ages due to the size of the needles (2.25mm) and garment (man size), but I am intrigued by the "one piece - no sew" construction... I think curiosity might win...
The book does sound very interesting. I read an article on those guernseys in Simply Knitting a while back now, and they sound as though a lot of work was put into them. I hope you take up the challenge, and I cant wait to see what pattern you will be knitting too.
Posted by: Sue | August 27, 2007 at 02:32 AM
Intéressant ton musée. J'ai beaucoup aimé le nom de "knit-frocks", c'est la première fois que je le vois. D'autre part, je savais qu'au 19ème (et pas que sur les jerseys), on tricotait les initiales des destinataires des tricots, mais je ne savais pas que les goussets étaient ausi un endroit où les mettre ! J'ai appris plein de choses en venant te voir, merci. J'ai fait un guernsey en rond (mon premier tricot en rond) pour mon père, taille XXL, j'ai trouvé que ça allait assez vite : je l'ai fait avec de la Frangipani, en 2,5 ou 3, je ne me souviens plus (Flying geese de Starmore). Fais plaisir à ton mari, c'est très agréable comme fil à tricoter et le pull est d'une solidité exemplaire. En plus, c'est très original !
Posted by: Christine | August 27, 2007 at 05:07 AM
I've knitted a gansey on tiny needles - Beth Brown Reinsel's At Sea Gansey. It took ages! It will be a challenge though. There's a great supplier of coloured gansey yarn in the UK - Frangipani at guernseywool.co.uk if you feel like knitting one!
Posted by: dawn | August 27, 2007 at 07:28 PM
quel courage... rien que d'envisager le projet! Que je te crois fort capable de réaliser en plus!!!!
Posted by: cécile | September 03, 2007 at 01:42 PM