Fridays Fine Knitting.
A gansey is the name given to the traditional hand-knitted pullover worn by fishermen fishing for herring off the costs of Britain, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The garments are supremely practical for the purpose – more flexible than a jacket, but robust enough to keep out wind and light spray; knitted by the womenfolk, often elaborately patterned, it is easy to imagine why these jerseys became so popular throughout the industry.
Knitted on the finest needles. No way I would attempt this!
Ethel, featured on Landward, 7p.m. on BBC 2 in Scotland, knitting a Gansey. Her first was knitted after she married, Ethel was a herring girl.
And some old herring girls with their knitting.
Ethel is now passing on her skills to the primary school children in Fraserburgh schools.
4 comments:
Interesting bit of knitting history there Jill............such beautiful intricate patterns, I'm sure I wouldn't have the patience to attempt a gansey either. x
Good for Ethel to be passing on the old skills. Isn't there a Gansey Project going on up your way?
I could do with one of those at the moment, it is b cold here and due to get colder and wetter,ugh.
Yes Christine, its a Moray Firth project. Ethel lives in Pitullie and is involved, Pitullie is just about on the Moray Firth, left of Fraserburgh.
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