Fisherman Knitting [Shire Album 31]

by Michael Harvey, Rae Compton

Since the evolution of the craft of hand knitting over two thousand years ago, many traditions and byways have grown up within it. One of the most fascinating of these is the knitting of fishermen’s jerseys, which by 1900 had become an art form. Traditions for distinctive styles evolved, such as those for the English and Scottish fleet ganseys, Fair Isle and Aran garments. In many areas special stitch patterns for a particular port or family were worked into the garments, making them the fisherman’s ‘coat of arms’. This book is an introduction to fisherman knitting and gives complete instructions for four garments, which the enthusiastic knitter will tackle with relish.

Michael Harvey became interested in the history of knitting because his parents owned a wool shop. He is a Fellow of the Roya Society of Arts and remains a director of his family’s retain business, though he now teaches in London. Rae Compton studied design at Edinburgh College of Arts. She was commissioned to design and make a layette for Princess Margaret’s first baby. Edit of Vogue knitting Publications, the knitting and crochet sections of Golden Hands and Modern Knitting, she took up serious journalism, while continuing to design.

32 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1978

About the author

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