The Gansey Diaries (ep 5)
So here we are again. Still knitting the stocking stitch section. It's now 16cm, so I'm making progress, despite a bit of frogging when I noticed I had inexplicably knitted one row much tighter than the rest. I wonder what I was watching or listening to at that point?
The section needs to be at least 21cm and as there isn't too much more to say at this point other than, well, just stocking stitch, I thought I might take a look at some questions about knitting ganseys.
And if you fancy a completely free taster, my mug warmer pattern includes traditional gansey motifs — the perfect cuppa-sized introduction to gansey motif knitting (and you can sign up to the newsletter there too!).
If you want to comment or ask questions, please use the contact me form on my website, or find me on social media (@thewrinkledthistle on Threads, Facebook and Instagram).
Q: What is a favourite gansey motif that you would knit on repeat?
A: This is a really tough question to answer. I think I'd go for a zigzag or a herringbone pattern. Once you get the pattern set, there is a lovely rhythm to knitting these and they seem to help knitting progress faster!
Q: What would you recommend to someone who's never knitted a gansey before?
A: A traditional gansey is a big commitment; depending on what pattern you want to create, there could be lots of stocking stitch (ahem), or find yourself stuck on sleeve island for longer than you ever thought possible (also much stocking stitch, coming in a later episode). You might be comfortable getting stuck in. Or you might prefer to build your confidence with smaller projects featuring gansey motifs; get comfortable with the rhythm of the patterns, try out the techniques on a smaller scale, and then take the plunge into a full gansey when you're ready.
Q: What is the perfect yarn for a gansey? A blend or single breed?
A: Another really tough one to answer. On the one hand, there is the traditional yarn that the original knitters used, but we now have modern yarns, which can equally be used to create ganseys.
For a traditional gansey, the yarn needs to be 100% worsted-spun wool, highly twisted, at a 5ply weight, often from more than one breed, and this is what I use for commissions (Frangipani 5ply).
You can also get mixed-breed yarns from other suppliers, such as Baa Ram Ewe Skipper 5ply and Jamieson & Smith 5ply Shetland yarns. Blacker Yarns Romney Guernsey is a single-breed 5ply yarn. Please note that these are the yarns I have easily available to me in the UK; you may well have other similar yarns in your own back yard that are also 5ply and readily available.
Of these other yarns, I have only tried Romney Guernsey so far and found it to be slightly softer than the Frangipani on knitting, but once these wonderful garments are worn, the yarns soften up and they become better and better with age.
What about other yarns? I've only mentioned traditional yarns, but there is no reason that a gansey cannot be knitted in a 4ply or even (shocker) DK. In my opinion, it would lose what the garment is meant to be with a thicker yarn, but there's nothing to stop you creating it!
Going back to our original question — the perfect yarn for a gansey — there are so many variables and qualifying questions which need to be asked that I do not think there's a single answer. If it's a traditional gansey you're looking for, then 100% wool, 5ply, high twist yarn. If you're looking for something a little different, then it's time to get creative and enjoy your knitting!
If you'd like somewhere to start, keep an eye out as I'll soon be releasing a collection of three mini-gansey patterns. These tiny versions (just 18cm back length) have all the traditional features of a full gansey, in a fraction of the knitting time. Perfect for learning the craft, or simply enjoying the making. My newsletter subscribers already have the inside track on this — one more reason to sign up!
In the next thrilling instalment of The Gansey Diaries, I really hope to be reporting that I'm moving from the stocking stitch section to the pattern section. Wish me luck!
The Wrinkled Thistle
Heritage Ganseys | Modern Knitting
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