Traditional Knitting: Aran, Fair Isle and Fisher Ganseys

by Michael R. R. Pearson

On This Page

Description

""I think I was lucky in the timing - I learned to knit just when your book first came out. The other books on the subject seemed to be aimed at people who already knit. . . . and [it] is the only one I read for pleasure, not just for patterns."" - Gordon Reid, www.ganseys.com""For years knitters have been pining for the return of Michael Pearson's lovely book, Traditional Knitting, complete with historical notes, charts, photos and patterns for Fair Isle, Guernsey, and Aran sweaters. Once show more again, our wish is granted by dear Dover."" - Meg Swansen, Schoolhouse Press""A fascinating and well researched book."" - Evening PressAfter visiting the remote fishing villages of Scotland and England, Michael Pearson compiled this extensive record of unique patterns. His sources include oral traditions, documents, family albums, and photos. Pearson combines a social history of the villages and the living history of these crafts with detailed patterns and practical instructions for knitters. For this revised and expanded edition, the author has added an extensive selection of new pattern charts and full knitting instructions, making this essential work even more valuable to lovers of traditional knitting.""Great collection of patterns. So much history. I learned so many interesting things. The pictures were amazing and definitely my favourite part. A history and knitting lesson wrapped up in one book."" - Debbie's Bookcase show less

Tags

Recommendations

Member Reviews

4 reviews
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 show more 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. show less
Big improvements in Photos, charts and patterns, very well laid out compared to first edition.

Repeats romantic story that Aran knitting is very old, for better history read Alice Starmores Aran book.
½
An absolute must have source book for anyone interested in the history of knitting, knitting and social history, or just the origin of aran, fair isle and fisher gansey patterns.
Well illustrated, plenty of background, charts of the patterns.

Members

Recently Added By

Author Information

4 Works 201 Members

Classifications

Genres
Home & Garden, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, History, Hunting and Fishing, Sports and Leisure, Art & Design
DDC/MDS
746.432Arts & recreationDrawing & decorative artsFashion Design / Weaving, Knitting, EmbroideryNeedlework and handworkKnitting, crocheting, tattingKnitting
LCC
TT819 .G7 .P43TechnologyHandicrafts. Arts and craftsHandicrafts. Arts and craftsHome arts. Homecrafts
BISAC

Statistics

Members
175
Popularity
186,645
Reviews
4
Rating
½ (4.50)
Languages
English, German
Media
Paper
ISBNs
5
UPCs
1
ASINs
1