Channel Islands Gansey Coverlet, Throw, Wrap came about when I rediscovered Gladys Thompson’s book, Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys and Arans hiding on a shelf in my library. As I thumbed through it, I remembered that I had been interested in the tradition and had intended to try it as one of my sons wanted one of the sweaters. But he changed his mind when he went off to school, and I lost track. I got interested in dyeing and other stuff and forgot all about it.

When I found it hiding on the shelf, I pulled it out, reread some bits and started doodling. Then I bought a couple of other books on tradtional Guernsey knitting, and kept doodling. Some of my drawings were of the charts in the book, something I do when I’m trying to understand how the designs work and how they move. Then I started making new ones, because by then I’d started looking at pictures of the landscape and wanted to figure out ways to capture them in the doodle charts.

Interesting about those doodles and the traditional designs I saw in Gladys’ book and in lots of photos: the one zigzag pattern I’ve used in “Channel Islands” is a slight variation on a traditional Gansey stitch, and oddly enough, it was the most difficult to knit, though it looks relatively simple. I could have changed it--I had charted other, easier-to-knit designs by then. I liked the idea of leaving that difficult bit in as a nod to the technical expertise of generations of Guernsey knitters all up and down British Isles coastal regions.

The other pattern elements were drawn to represent various physical elements I saw in the photos of the maritime landscape of the Channel Islands, and at various points along England’s southern coast and all up along the North Sea coast, where the Jerseys are also found. They include “Sea Wall,” “Lighthouse Windows,” “Beach Grass,” and “Cross Tides.”

Gypsy Wools’ “Channel Islands Gansey” is written in three sizes: a Stole size (25” x 84”), a Throw (45” x 72”) and a full size Coverlet (60” x 84”). Kits are no longer available, but the yarns are on the shelves at Gypsy Wools and online.

Please note: for those who participated in the MKAL version, we are aware that there were some errors in the pattern. We have made corrections, and will continue to do more as we find them (it’s a big, involved project). If you purchased a pattern and didn’t receive the corrections, please contact us at info@gypsywools.com and we will send you the newest copy. Also, if you require some help, please call, email or even come and see us, and we’ll see if we can help (store phone: 303-442-1884.)