The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #167898   Message #4055033
Posted By: GUEST,buspassed
25-May-20 - 06:39 AM
Thread Name: arran sweaters - a sad loss
Subject: RE: arran sweaters - a sad loss
The Yorkshire knitted relative of the Arran is the Gansy. It may have originated elsewhere [I've heard it referred to as Guernsey so it might have links there.] Very difficult to knit according to my niece who made one for the Maritime Museum in Hull for a Gansy exhibition. Apparently each fishing community eg Filey, Staithes, Scarborough etc had it's own distinctive design which legend has it enabled an unfortunate drowned fisherman to be taken home.

Some years ago commercial versions were very popular as holiday wear and my wife bought me one. It had a very simple design across the front owing to them being mass produced. When I asked where I might end up up on being
discovered drowned the response was "Marks & Spencers in Lewisham!"