Knitting Ganseys

Note: I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.

Two of my hobbies are history and crafting (knitting, crochet, cross stitch, sewing). Crafting something from an old pattern, in an old technique or based on a historical object is always very cool. Even though I am intimidated by knitting an adult-sized sweater, a gansey or fisherman sweater has been on the top of my wishlist for the longest time. When the new (revised and updated) edition of Knitting Ganseys by Beth Brown-Reinsel came up for review I couldn’t help myself.

I don’t know the 1993 edition, so I can’t compare both editions. My review just focusses on this 2018 edition by itself.

This book is a combination of history and show more patterns. The book starts with a chapter on the rich history of ganseys. The following chapters let you knit a small sampler gansey. Each chapter explains a technique in great detail, from casting on (describing several different cast-ons, in continental and English methods) to the gusset and the neckline. After working through the first 10 chapters and finishing your sampler, you have knit your first (small) gansey and have used all needed techniques. The book then continues with instructions on how to design and knit your own gansey. This chapter includes instructions on sizing, adjusting fit, charting a pattern. It even has a worksheet and special calculations to help you with your design. The book finishes with 9 patterns for complete ganseys for men and women. I especially love “alouette”, which is a gansey dress!

All-in-all this is a very complete book, that helps even the most unexperienced knitter design and knit their own gansey, all while learning about the history of ganseys. I can’t wait to start on my own gansey. Maybe one for our boy? He’s small, I’d be done quickly. Five out of five stars from me. show less

Excellent book for knitters who like to work from a technique or theory, rather than follow a completed pattern. Brown-Reinsel clearly and concisely describes all the steps needed to knit an authentic Gansey from the sturdy, attractive Channel Island cast-on (not "unduly laborious," rather eminently suited to the special requirements of the garment) to the method of calculating shapings. A few finished patterns are included, but on the whole this will appeal most to knitters who enjoy a challenge and wish to design their own sweaters. Makes a good companion to Gladys Thompson's book of Guernsey, Jersey, and Aran stitch patterns.

Interesting history of the gansey. I enjoyed knitting up the sample sweater and learned a few new techniques; if at some I decide to knit a full size gansey I will definitely refer to this book.

Definitely a book for process knitters, though there are a couple of patterns in the back for the rest of you :D
Learn how to build a bottom-up Gansey sweater to your own specifications, then run with your new knowledge and put a sweater on every back in the family - without making the same sweater over and over!

Only a few patterns in the back of the book. Gives an extensive history of Gansy sweaters and their uniques construction. Excellent graphs and knitting diagrams. All black and white pictures.

a bit overrated; cast on technique is unduly laborious

Excellent resource on how to design and knit gansey sweaters