Everything Gansey: Knit Your Own Mini Sweater with Linda Perry (October 3, 2026)

Join us to learn about the history and construction of British ganseys and get started on your own mini sweater! 

This is a single day workshop, Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

• Please note: Registration closes Tuesday, September 22, as yarn is included with your registration and must be distributed in advance for the required homework.
• We encourage you to register early! Class size is intentionally limited to ensure plenty of individualized attention, and if you'll need your yarn shipped, registering early will help ensure you receive it with plenty of time to complete the prep work.

Discover the rich tradition of British gansey knitting with Linda Perry while creating your own mini gansey sweater—a small-scale project designed to teach the essential techniques of this iconic fisherman’s garment.

Ganseys, worn by coastal communities over 100 years ago, are known for their distinctive construction, textured stitch patterns, and practical design. In this workshop, you’ll explore the history and regional characteristics of ganseys while learning the skills needed to knit one yourself.

Working step-by-step, you’ll knit a mini gansey that showcases traditional construction methods. This approachable format allows you to focus on technique and structure without the time commitment of a full-sized sweater—while still gaining the knowledge and confidence to make one on your own.

Techniques covered include:

• Understanding gansey construction and traditional styling
• Reading charts and working textured stitch patterns
• Knitting in the round to create a seamless garment
• Shaping and working the yoke and upper sleeve detail
• Knitting an underarm gusset
• Creating welt ribbing
• Picking up stitches for armholes
• Using a three-needle bind-off

By the end of class, you’ll have completed a substantial portion of your own mini gansey and developed a strong foundation in traditional gansey techniques.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner / Intermediate
Students should be comfortable with knitting and purling; casting on and binding off; ribbing; increasing and decreasing; knitting in the round; and reading motif charts.

Materials: Yarn and handouts are included with registration. Yarn is provided in advance so that you can start your homework. We'll be using Harrisville Highland 100% wool. When you register please indicate your color choice from one of the following by noting it in your order comment:

• White (0114080C)
• Red (0114550C)
• Mustard (0114820C)
• Lime (0114860)
• Cornflower (0114360C)
• Aegean (0114880C)
  
• Magenta (0114500C)

If you're local, you may pick up your yarn at the shop during regular business hours (Thursday & Friday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm; Saturday, 10:00 am–4:00 pm), or arrange for curbside pickup. If you'd prefer to have your yarn shipped, simply let us know when you register and we'll send you an invoice for postage.

Homework: Please plan for a little prep work before coming to class! You will need to complete some basic knitting from the bottom up in order to have your piece ready for the custom gansey part during the class. Here's what to plan for in advance:

• CO 84 sts using circular needle
• Place marker for beginning of round
• Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist sts
• Work [K2, P2] ribbing for ¾"
• Continue in stockinette stitch until piece measures 6" from cast-on edge
• Leave live sts on needle

Students will need to bring:

• 16" circular needles in US size 6 • Shop Circular Needles
• Set of five short double-pointed needles (5" or 6") in US size 6 • Shop DP Needles
• It will also be helpful to bring scissors, a ruler or tape measure, and stitch markers
• Note: Gauge is 5 sts = 1" recommended needed US size 6, please adjust needle size accordingly to achieve gauge!

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Save when you learn at Halcyon Yarn!

Students receive a 10% discount on the day of, and for two weeks following, your class. Our way of encouraging you to keep on making!

After registering you'll receive an email containing complete class details and policies.

See all class policies, including cancellation information, here.

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Artist/Instructor Bio:

A lifelong knitter and recent devotee of traditional British ganseys, Linda Perry has designed and knit more than twenty of the iconic sweaters to date. Her work is informed by in-depth research into the lives and culture of British fishermen circa 1850–1920. Travels to England and Scotland, along with visits to maritime museums along the coast, further deepened her passion for this textile tradition. With degrees in textiles and design, she has taught in higher education for over forty years. She is now retired and resides in Damariscotta.

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All classes are taught in-person at Halcyon Yarn, 12 School St., Bath, Maine, unless otherwise noted.

Accessibility: There are no steps required to enter the store, classroom, or restroom. Parking is available on-site. If there’s anything we can do to assist you, please let us know in advance.

Learn more about our classroom & see upcoming events here!

Student discount is valid the day of, and two weeks after the class start date. 10% off is valid only on regularly stocked items and does not apply to the purchase of gift cards, clearance, or special order/drop-shipped items. Discounts cannot be combined.