Our Favorite Ganseys and Gansey-Textured Accessories

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Ganseys are perennially-popular handknit sweaters, and for good reason. They’re unapologetically cozy, often knit in thick, warm yarns with durable hems and seams, and they’re covered in cozy textured patterning. What’s not to love! While the picturesque story-book origin stories of the gansey (for example, the idea that the unique patterning helped to identify bodies lost at sea) are mostly fiction, they’re absolutely evocative of a blustery day by the sea on the British Isles. Plus, they’re really fun and rewarding to knit!

Above, from left to right: Breakwater Beach Vest, Worthington Gansey, Narragansett Gansey

This month, we’re focusing on all the things you can do with just knit and purl stitches; last week we rounded up some of our favorite garment and accessory patterns that use just knit-and-purl patterning, and we also turned our eye to textured socks. This time, we’re taking a look at ganseys. While these kinds of sweaters often use a cable motif or two for patterning, the majority of their rugged appeal comes from charted motifs and textural patterns worked in knit and purl stitches.

As you might imagine, we’ve published a lot of ganseys and gansey-style sweaters in Interweave’s long history. We’ve also published many far less traditional garments that take their cues from the gansey, as well as gansey-textured accessories. Here are a few of my favorites from each of those categories, many of which come from our Gorgeous Gansey Textures collection.

Modern Gansey Sweaters

If you’re looking for a gansey to add to your queue, one of these might tickle your fancy. I’ve chosen some which are knit in more traditional styles and yarns, as well as a more lightweight option that still looks “classic” to me. Finally, I’ll share a beginner-level version for new sweater knitters, or for experienced knitters looking for a quick knit.

Deer Isle/Plum Island Pullover by Alison Green

This classic design was published in knitscene Fall 2014, and it’s a wonderful take on the traditional gansey. Best of all, there are two versions depending on your preference: one with more masculine sizing and fit, and one that’s a little smaller and more curve-conscious, designed for women.

Both versions feature a cozy funnel neck, lovely textured patterning, and a great fit. I especially love the seeded ribbing at the neckline, hem, and cuffs! You can get both patterns together, along with four others, in the Gorgeous Gansey Textures collection.

Worthington Gansey by Courtney Spainhower

You couldn’t call this a traditional gansey, knit as it is in a lightweight, silk-blend yarn. But I love this design so much that I just had to include it. If you’ve shied away from knitting ganseys because an oversized look doesn’t really flatter or suit you, consider this your call to think again.

The Worthington Gansey features flattering gusset shaping and ribbing at the waist for a half-cropped look. The stitch patterns and textures are gansey all the way—you’ll absolutely love working those charted motifs.

Narragansett Gansey by Kathy Zimmerman

Knit in a sturdy, traditional Aran wool, this sweater is designed for vigorous wear—if you use the yarn called for, you can even throw it in the washing machine without worry of it pilling or shrinking. But the best part of this stunning design is the allover patterning.

The Narragansett Gansey uses a stitch pattern called Trinity, which involves working three stitches into one followed by working three together, every other row. That’s that almost bobble-like pattern you can see on the front and sleeves. Such a satisfying texture to work and to wear, and it’s all accomplished with knit and purl! We also love the gorgeous cables framing the center panel. Ribbing, Broken Irish Moss stitch, and seed stitch tie the whole design together.

Bonus Beginner Version: Ellen Saddle Gansey by Courtney Spainhower

If you’re new to sweater-knitting but want to try your hand at a gansey, don’t be afraid to think simple! The beautiful Ellen Saddle Gansey features a flattering cowl neck and simple stitches: garter, stockinette, and reverse stockinette. The pattern is available on it’s own, but if you’re looking for more beginner sweaters, I encourage you to pick it up as part of the Wool Studio 101 collection, which is full of simple sweater designs.

What makes this sweater beginner-friendly? It’s knit from the top-down, all in the round. That means you can try it on as you go, and that there won’t be any seams to worry about when you finish. Traditional ganseys are worked in pieces and seamed; while that makes for a more durable sweater, it’s nice to be finished as soon as your done knitting! It’s a quick knit that more experienced knitters will enjoy, too.

Gansey-Style Garments with a Twist

If you love the geometric designs, knit-and-purl patterning, and nautical feel of the traditional sweaters but aren’t interested in knitting one right now, check out these modern takes on the tradition. From a dolman to a vest to a tee, you’re sure to find something intriguing!

Eastbound Sweater by Courtney Kelley

This fun design is near the top of my personal queue. The Eastbound Sweater features extra-wide underarm gussets, placed very low on the body. The resulting roomy silhouette, combined with a wide neckline, drop shoulder, and bell sleeves, makes for a roomy and modern dolman.

All the elements of traditional ganseys are still here; they’ve just been reinterpreted! There’s ribbing, knit-and-purl patterning, and slender cables framing a geometric central motif. While that central motif includes a non-traditional lace chart, it’s still very much in the spirit.

Breakwater Beach Vest by Irina Anikeeva

If you’d like to knit a gansey but aren’t interested in knitting sleeves, check out this irresistible vest! While the design has a lot more cables than is typical of a gansey, there’s also cozy ribbing, plush seed stitch, and a decidedly nautical feel to this vest, all of which means I just had to include it.

The elements that, to me, really elevate this pattern are the wide, cozy cowl neck, the slight high-low hem, and the side vents. I can imagine styling the Breakwater Beach Vest with just about everything I own, plus it can be worn in a lot more seasons and climates than can a traditional gansey sweater.

Jess’s Gansey by Elizabeth Lovick

If you want to get your hands on that allover knit-and-purl texture but don’t want to knit a whole garment, maybe a tee version of the gansey is for you! This pattern was published way back in Interweave Knits Winter 2007, and I think it’s time for a revival. There’s an option to make the sleeves full length, if you desire, but personally, I love this short-sleeved version.

If you don’t look closely, you might miss that every single panel across the front of Jess’s Gansey is different. That’s a lot of charts to keep your place in, but the geometric shapes make them easy to follow. I also particularly love the hem and cuff facing treatment for this design—sturdy, yet decorative.

Gansey-Style Accessories

Finally, if you want to knit gansey-style motifs but aren’t looking for a sweater at this time, consider one of these lovely textured accessories!

Gansey Leg Warmers by Courtney Kelley

For a much simpler version of all that fun patterning, consider legwarmers. Knit-and-purl charts are easiest when worked in the round, and with legwarmers, you don’t even have to turn a heel! These easy-to-knit accessories are not universally loved within the Interweave family, but I personally love to knit and wear them.

The highly-adorable Gansey Leg Warmers use diamond and star motifs often found in full sweaters. You only have one chart to work at a time, and they’re all geometric and easy to follow. This could be the project that hooks you on ganseys!

Gansey Clock Socks by Ann Budd

No collection of gansey-textured accessories could be complete without an excellent sock. The Gansey Clock Socks are an older pattern, but their charm is still strong. I love the mix of cables, knit-and-purl patterning, and ribbing that allow these socks to harken to tradition while still being stretchy, comfy, and wearable.

The cabled heel flap of this pattern is particularly special. I prefer to knit and wear socks with a little bit of texture on the heel flap, but I’ve never knit one with cables! There are tons of other textured socks in the Interweave archives if you’re looking for a more simple interpretation, but I encourage you to give these a try.

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I hope you enjoyed looking through the archives of ganseys and gansey-inspired patterns with me! If you liked what you saw, check out the Gorgeous Gansey Textures collection to get several of these designs, and many more.

Do you have a favorite gansey pattern, whether traditional, modern, or a variation on the theme? Let us know in the comments!

Happy Knitting!
-Andrea

Originally published June 11, 2021. Updated March 18, 2022.

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Favorite Gansey Patterns from Interweave