A Tale of Three Islands
Twist, Knit or Stick?
Hello,
Welcome to the latest update on the RNLI Gansey, sorry it has been a while since the last update. The gauge swatch is finally finished and un-steeked it is a whopping 12.5” x 10” (32cm x 25cm). I am not sure if I will steek the sample or not, if I do, I will video it so you can see how it turns out.
As the tension swatch sample is now finished and measured, this means that I can now start on the RNLI Gansey proper. (Spoiler: I have cast it on, but will give more details in the next missive.) For now, I need to sort out which version of the Isle of Wight I will be including in the finished Gansey. I knitted three different versions to see how they would pop on the swatch. I was happy with the design I previously used, but as the gauge is smaller I wanted to ensure it still worked.
I created three different versions. Which one do you prefer? Let me know in the comments, it would be lovely to hear your thoughts.
Just purl stitches
just purl stitches Purl stitches, with some twisted stitches to try to emphasise the island’s outline.
With a few twisted knit stitches added in A modified middle where the River Medina flows into the Solent.
with the modified middle - that didn’t work…
What Tools am I using?
I knitted the swatch using a Chiagoo 2mm/100cm needle and casting on 186 stitches. My 2mm double-ended needles (dpns) are too long for this work, I would have just ended up skewering myself… The main Gansey will be knitted on dpns, I did try working a full-size gansey on a circular needle, but the tight gauge and stiff wool meant I spent more time moving the knitting around the cable than actually knitting… So not a good plan, it quickly came off and back onto the dpns.
Smaller Gansey Items
Are you feeling inspired? Would you like to knit something in the traditional Gansey style, using Gansey yarns?
Enter the fabulous Jane Lithgow, she has designed some mitts and socks using 5ply Gansey yarn and they can be found on Ravelry. If you can’t use Ravelry, just message her via her Instagram page. I’m sure she will try to help you.
Ganseys in the Wild
If you are on the Isle of Wight during April there is an exhibition on at Monkton Arts in Ryde - Celebration of Wool. There will be displays and workshops*, so if you are in the area please do drop in. The Ganseys will be there alongside hand-dyed yarn, felting, both wet and needle, weaving, spinning and much more.
*please note that the spinning and weaving classes are already full.
Take care, everyone, until next time, keep knitting.
Lots of Woolly love,
Tracy x
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Until next time, bye for now.
Order Your Own Gansey
My order book will be closed for commissions while I work on the RNLI Gansey. It will re-open later this year for commissions, so, if you would like me to design and knit a Gansey for you, please either watch out for the announcement or drop me a line for details.
Links:
Jane Lithgow Instagram Page - @ProbablyJane
Fitzroy Mitts by Jane Lithgow - Ravelry Link
Beaufort Socks by Jane Lithgow - Ravelry Link
WollyKnits.com 5ply Guernsey British Wool 250g cones
Frangipani 5ply Guernsey British Wool - 500g cones
Frangipani wool is also available in 100g balls from WildandWoolly.co.uk
*Cornish Ganseys and Knit Frocks by Mary Wright
*Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys, and Arans: Fisherman’s Sweaters from the British Isles
*Knitting Ganseys - Revised and Updated by Beth Brown-Reinsel
*Traditional Dutch Ganseys for children: 40 Sweaters to Knit by Stella Ruhe
Anything in bold and underlined is a link to the relevant article or web page. None are affiliate links, just things I hope to benefit you, or people whom I admire and have worked with in the past.
Note: If there is a * these are affiliate links and may earn me a few pennies without adding to your cost. Disclosure: If you buy books linked here, I may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops
I like the one with the twisted stitches best! :)