Cables, Diamonds, & Herringbone: Secrets of Knitting Traditional Fishermen's Sweaters

I own this author's earlier work in German on this subject plus several other books no longer available. She begins with a short history followed by information on gussets and shaped armholes. The information on how to begin a sweater is well illustrated. The first two sweaters are easy ones followed by 5 more very beautiful sweaters all of which have charts and schematics. The last half of the book is devoted to the various patterns also well illustrated and with charts. Finally initials are charted out and yarn sources and a short bibliography. The only problem I can see is that the sweaters in the book are knit with German yarns which might be hard to find so the author has suggested American and English yarns which she says will work in these patterns. In general the yarns used are special for these sweaters. They are generally dk weight but they are knit up tighter on smaller needles so the knitter has to get her gauge first in order to make them properly. However, the yarns made in England are the traditional ones so hopefully there won't be any problems. There are two other books on Amazon on this topic: Knitting ganseys by Beth Brown-Reinsel and Gladys Thompson Patterns for guernseys, jerseys and arans. While both of them are very good this one seems easier for the beginner to this topic so I highly recommend it. The book is very well printed with nice color photos throughout.

I would have given this book a 5 star except that the cover had sticker glue left on the front cover and feelable scratches . and was listed in new condition.

It is remarkable, gives me the History of cables as well as the way to make them

This is a great book that I had lost and replaced with this purchase. I knit several men's sweaters using the suggested patterns provided from old photos of traditional English fisherman sweaters.

An excellent resource.

This is a really great instructional book for cables and such. The pictures are well done and the patterns are easy to follow. This is a great book for anyone as crazy about knitting as I am.

This is an adequate book on fisherman's sweaters. The patterns included are attractive. However, for a comprehensive book on fisherman's sweaters and designing, there are better choices. Beth Brown Reinsel 's book and Gladys Thompson's book are more in depth and still available for a reasonable price.

Beautiful rich textured cables... many ideas to combine into sweaters and other garments.

This is very well illustrated, has detailed photographs and lots of information for a knitter new to ganseys to get started. This is not for beginner knitter as it assumed that the knitter has basic skills and is comfortable working on double pointed needles and/or circular needles.There is a brief history of gansey knitting and the difference between shaped armholes and gussets. There is a section on the yarn used, needles etc and how to measure a garment being knit in the round. The first sweater is a basic man's sweater with little patterning and is based on an everyday work design and has underarm gussets. The secound pattern is a ladies design with vertical panels and shaped underarms. The remaining patterns are based on traditional styles found around the coast of the UK and all are well illustrated and with charts. The next section of the book is motifs and other stitch patterns which are photographed and charted. Finally initials are charted out and yarn sources and a short bibliography. The sweaters in the book are knit with German yarns which might be hard to find so the author has suggested American and the traditional gansey English yarns and the needles that would normally be used.There are other books on Amazon on this topic and for more info I have used:  Knitting Ganseys  and Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys & Arans (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace) . While both of them are very good this one seems easier for the beginner to this topic as there are more photos and diagrams. Knitting GanseysPatterns for Guernseys, Jerseys & Arans (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace)

Well constructed articles.

Lovely book bought for a friend who is delighted with it.

First class selection of fishing village and family knitting patterns, Must have been a very difficult and long task to have gathered them.

Love the historical information and the patterns are wonderful. Can't wait to start knitting them!