A Gansey Crochet Home

The designs in this booklet are inspired by 19^th-century fishermen’s sweaters but are all items for the home. From simple coasters to a much more complex throw, they all look simple but are marked intermediate, which wasn’t immediately obvious from the cover. I loved looking through the pictures as they are all beautifully done. Whilst I probably wouldn’t tackle a throw, the bowl, mug rugs and table runner were appealing. All the items are crocheted in neutral colours, but some items would transfer into coloured yarn well – especially the rug.

The booklet is only 48 pages long which makes it a useful size and one I could find space for on my bookshelves. In some cases, however, the patterns are split, and you have to jump from the front to the back to follow them, which seems odd in a pattern book. This is something I’d seen in magazines but not what I’d expect from a book. There’s a useful stitch guide and four blank pages where you can make notes. 

-- Natalie Tidy * Knitting & Crochet Guild - SlipKnot June 2020 *

Typically associated with knitting, you can now crochet Gansey designs that mimic the look. Originating from Guernsey over 400 years ago, the sweaters were designed for fishermen. The tight textured stitches ensured the sweater was warm, water-resistant and kept out the wind. Each design in the book is filled with texture and makes a perfect addition to any home.

* Machine Knitting Month