Figure 1.--

Despite this restriction, the industry grew from strength to strength. Wool had to be imported to supplement the local supply and the export of garments began. The 'Gansy' as it was called, became known on both sides of the Atlantic. Queen Elizabeth I is reputed to have had her stockings knitted in the Channel Islands.

Over the last four centuries the most popular of all garments have been the traditional sweaters of Jersey and Guernsey. The latter has individual and distinctive patterns on the shoulders depicting rope ladders and ripples on the sand. The story goes that should a seaman be drowned at sea it was possible to identify from which island or particular parish of that island he came.

Whilst knitting slowly declined, giving way to tourism and agriculture, the popularity of the Jersey and Guernsey sweaters did not wane. Wishing to continue this fine local tradition, the local industry has retained the accepted designs and knit only 100%, pure wool giving the garments an extremely warm and most durable quality.

These traditional sweaters are here to stay and I am proud to be able to supply a garment which has found its way into the homes of Royalty and which once may have been worn by Sir Walter Raleigh.

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Created: May 20, 1999
Last updated: September 4, 1999