As a lifelong knitter with ancestors from Cornwall, I feel a special connection with the gansey knitting tradition that was practiced there. I’ve named this design for the former fishing and mining village of Perranporth, located on Cornwall’s Atlantic coast and now known for its golden sands and excellent surfing.

I wanted to use as many traditional gansey techniques as possible while still creating a piece you’ll want to keep in your wardrobe forever. You’ll find Channel Island Cast On, underarm and neck gussets, faux side “seam” stitches and seamless construction. Simple cables and knit/purl texture patterns, along with beaded rib trims create an instant updated classic.

For in-depth descriptions of the techniques used for this sweater, you should consult Knitting Ganseys: Techniques and Patterns for Traditional Sweaters by Beth Brown-Reinsel and Knitting in the Old Way: Designs and Techniques from Ethnic Sweaters by Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts and Deborah Robson.

Finished Measurements:
Bust: 34 1/2 (38 1/4, 41 3/4, 46 1/4, 49 3/4, 54 1/4, 57 3/4, 62 1/4, 65 3/4)“ / 87.5 (97, 106, 117.5, 126.5, 138, 146.5, 158, 167) cm
Length: 23 (23 1/2, 24, 24 1/2, 25, 25 1/2, 26, 26 1/2, 27)” / 58.5 (59.5, 61, 62, 63.5, 65, 66, 67.5, 68.5) cm
Yarn needed:
Color Twilight Honey, 4 (5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7) skeins
1290 (1417, 1571, 1724, 1848, 2023, 2138, 2381, 2446) yds / 1180 (1296, 1437, 1576, 1690, 1850, 1955, 2177, 2237) m