Gansey – a traditional hand-knitted jumper dated back to approximately the 19th century. Flexible as a jacket but strong enough against the sea.
While bright yellow waterproofs are familiar today, for centuries fishermen braved the winter seas wearing something even more special—the Gansey. This iconic jumper kept trawlermen warm and dry in some of the harshest conditions imaginable.
A Jumper Steeped in Tradition
Ganseys were knitted by fishwives, who memorised traditional patterns passed down through generations. Each pattern was linked to a specific stretch of coastline, and fishermen often knitted themselves—a skill closely related to mending and making nets.
Knitted with 5-ply worsted wool on five double-ended needles, the tight-knit Gansey had no seams, keeping the heat in and the sea out. They came in solid cream or navy blue. Ingeniously, diamond-shaped gussets were added under the arms so fishermen could lift their arms freely, unlike ordinary jumpers.
More Than Just Warmth
Ganseys were worn next to the skin as a base layer and had practical uses:
- Turning up the bottom of the Gansey signalled a fisherman was available for hire
- The turned-up section doubled as a pocket for tobacco and matches
- Rarely washed, but a special set was kept for church and important occasions
- Some had the wearer’s initials sewn in to help identify bodies washed ashore in fishing disasters
Keeping the Gansey Alive
Fishing gear has changed, but the passion for the Gansey lives on. Recently, the Fishermen’s Mission received two beautiful donated Ganseys to help raise funds for our work.
- Fiona Anne Bird from Walton-on-the-Naze followed a pattern from a magazine and spent seven years knitting a stunning cream Gansey
- In Scotland, Caithness Port Officer Jackie Dodds coordinated with Deb Gillanders of Propa Gansey in Whitby and knitter Gordon Reid to produce a genuine Wick-patterned Gansey
These Ganseys are more than just jumpers—they are a symbol of the skill, tradition, and resilience of fishing communities.
