Traditional Knitting: Aran, Fair Isle and Fisher Ganseys

by Michael Pearson

Michael Pearson's Traditional Aran, Fair Isle, and Fisher Ganseys [Jan 01, 1984] Pearson, Michael

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts

204 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Laryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book.

This book is less-so a pattern book & more-so a book about knitting. While patterns are included of many pictured fisherman's ganseys, they are only written to replicate that exact piece, not sized up to fit a range of bodies. The charts for traditional fisherman's ganseys are included, differing in design from village to village. This is one of the most interesting books I've ever had the pleasure of reading. So good I returned my library copy to purchase a copy for myself!

By the end of it you'll be dreaming of knitting a Sunday Best pullover for your spouse who is out at sea!

(P.S. some of these knitters could whip out a gansey in 36 hours!)

[Nicky Triggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was in a good readable style with lots of historical information, photographs and patterns. I read it from start to finish and will return to look at some of the patterns again. It doesn't have a nostalgic view, but does inspire me to knit. Information on how to knit several types of gansey is shared readily and the mystique is taken away.

[Lyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book that gives the history of the different fishing regions of England. It also gives patterns that are representative of each region. An excellent reference book!

[Marianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would add more stars if that were possible. This bok is a must have for the serious knitter.

[Fin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview, good layout.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Pearson's Traditional Knitting is an new and expanded edition of a book that was first released in 1984. In this book, Michael Pearson travels through the knitting communities of the British Isles, investigating the knitting traditions of each community. Here is a map of the places he travelled.



Pearson recounts how his method for finding out about the local knitting tradition changed in the researching for this book. Originally, he would arrive at the local tavern, order a pint and then strike up a conversation with a man who was wearing a handknit jumper. He says:

"On spotting a likely candidate, past experience even in those early days had taught me not to blast my way in, tap my chosen target on the shoulder and, by way of introducing myself, explain that I found the pattern on his gansey most intriguing. I also learned never to interrupt that most serious of games—dominoes. Apart from causing the poor fellow to splutter his pint over those dominoes, looking desperately for a way out, this approach somehow reduced the possibility of meeting the knitter, who, of course, was usually his wife. By then, having politely answered my questions (we were, after all, talking about a subject of common interest) it was usually too much for him to continue."

Seriously, what an adorable story! After a few towns, he started phoning ahead to introduce himself to the pub owner, who alerted the gansey-wearing men to Pearson's arrival and created a much more information-sharing friendly environment. And he certainly got a lot of information! Now I know that an entire cottage knitting industry existed, where women and children pumped out incredible amounts of handknitting for sale, and that this knitting industry largely collapsed when knitting machines were invented. I also now know that ganseys were invented because the gansey patterns, which combine knit and purl stitches, used extra wool, hence captured more warmth, which was vitally important for me who were out on a fishing boat all day. These patterns or combinations of stitches were usually family or village specific. Ganseys were knitted in the round on six or eight very long DPNs (which, incidentally, I tried after reading about in this book. I could not do it! I kept stabbing myself with all and could not get into a knitting rhythm.) Sizes were described in terms of how many repeats it would take to go around the torso - so a man might be a "sixteener" or "eighteener" (sixteen or eighteen repeats respectively).

Where possible, Pearson spoke to the knitter or knitter's descendants directly. However, even in the 1980s when this research was conducted, social and cultural changes in these towns meant that the rich local cultures that had previously existed were slowly disintegrating. Houses were being bought by weekenders, who only lived in the towns on the weekends, reducing the vitality of the towns. Additionally, fishing practices had changed, and the hard fishing lifestyle lived by the men and women in these town was often no longer viable. Where there were no knitters remaining, Pearson used archival resources such as local museums and photographs. The photographs of knitters and knitting throughout the book are really fascinating (although only the section on fair isle is in colour).

I like to knit and I like to read but I rarely read books about knitting other than pattern books. Although this book does contain some gansey and fair isle patterns, it is primarily a history rather than a pattern book. Traditional Knitting a fascinating insight into knitting and its history. It was not what I thought it would be when I picked up but I am so pleased to have read it. I know I said I would never knit another jumper but, after finishing this book, I kind of want to knit a gansey... (on a circular needle. I am not completely crazy!)

(for pictures, see http://hereiread.blogspot.com.au/2015... )

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reviewed this book for NetGalley.

Dr. Pearson has written a passionate book about the traditional knitting culture of the British Isles (England, Scotland, Fair Isle and Ireland). This book is the story of his extensive endeavors to record these knitting traditions and their cultural backgrounds before the modernization of the last quarter of the twentieth century either modified them beyond recognition or destroyed them.

In my opinion, he is quite successful. He writes well and comes across as an affable person who could charm his way into any small village and obtain the villagers' complete cooperation in discussing their knitting traditions, which can be very deep and ancient.

The book includes discussions of the stitch patterns, garment styles, use and history of the knitting traditions of each village and area he visited. And there are a lot of them. There a numerous illustrations, all either black and white or color photos. And there are complete knitting patterns of some of the traditional garments.

An excellent reference book, and a must read for any knitter who wants to know about the history and craft of knitting. I highly recommend it. It is truly educational (and I have now read both editions of this book!).

Wonderful book, Dr. Pearson!

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, factual, informative, current and historical information related to Gansey, Fair Isle and Aran knitting fills the pages of this book. With over fifty years of knitting so far under my belt I have learned a GREAT deal that I did not know before. Original knitting guild members were male, knitting became a way to augment income, women were able to knit a sweater much faster than I am able to, special devices I had never heard of were used by knitters to facilitate the process, people carried their knitting with them almost everywhere, Gansey sweaters have purl stitches that form patterns while Aran sweaters use knit stitches to do so instead, gussets were made under the arms, reworking sweaters was easier using the methods and patterns described in this book…I could go on but I have to say that this is one very intriguing book and I am thankful to Net Galley and Dover Publications for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[kathyrn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a wonderful history of knitting in small villages in England and Scotland with an abundance of historical photographs and pattern charts. Then the book goes on with an ample selection of complete patterns and charts for making Fair Isle, Guernsey, and Aran sweaters and garments. I have to agree with other reviewers that this book deserves more than five stars. If you have never knitted anything done in 2 colors or pattern stitches I wouldn't be intimidated because it is easier than you think it would be. This is a book you will want to keep and not let anyone borrow because you wouldn't want to lose it. Thank you Dover Publications for reprinting it. Read as a netgalley copy.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish Pearson had spent a little more time with Aran knitting and a good bit more on Fair Isle. I realize that he believes Aran arose commercially rather than traditionally, and this is probably his reason for giving it so little space and attention in his book. However, he acknowledges that Fair Isle knitting is at least partially traditional (rather than commercial) but still gives it relatively little consideration compared to the extensive treatment of ganseys from the rest of England.

Still I enjoyed reading about the history of fishing and knitting and the people who pursued these employments throughout both the coastal villages and the inland waterways of England.

[Polly Krize · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is not just a knitting pattern book, but a thorough study of the fisherman knitting styles of all parts of England, Scotland, the Shetlands, Fair Isle and Aran. The different techniques used are fascinating, and traditional knitting styles differ from region to region. Photographs chronicle the history of these knitters. There are four Aran sweater patterns near the end, as well as examples of Fair Isle, Shetland knitting throughout the book. A meticulous, well researched, and detailed book.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful pattern book that is a must-have for any fan of Fair Isle knitting. This is a new and expanded version from the 1984 edition.

This book celebrates knitting as it was in the life of small fishing communities located on the coast of the British Isles. It was essential to survival, not recreational as it is now.

Traditional Knitting not only gives an interesting history and depiction of knitting, but also covers basics. There are beautiful vintage and functional patterns.

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

More an account of ethnography than a knitting handbook, this is chock full of information. Pearson's methodology is elaborated thoroughly and robust and so the detail and information is trustworthy as well as interesting. There are many knitting patterns elaborated in full but I'm at a level below them so I couldn't tackle any of them...but I shall.
What I was left wondering was how the knitting done in mining towns differed from that done in fishing towns-any recommendations?

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concentrates on the Gansey style sweaters. Unfortunately, older black and white photos, typically from a distance make it very difficult to see the patterns. Made especially difficult because traditionally these sweaters are navy blue.

Some information on Fair Isle and Arans as well.

I plan to buy this book.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy to have this book. Great collection of patterns. So much history. I learned so many interesting things. The pictures were amazing and definitely my favorite part. A history and knitting lesson wrapped up in one book.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an exceptional knitter's resource. It goes into the history of the different styles and has photos and interviews. Then there are patterns and charts for each plus so much more. A worthy addition to any dedicated knitter's collection.