In late nineteenth-century Cornwall, hand-knitting was an important cottage industry, and coastal villages developed their own distinctive patterns and names for the traditional navy blue guernsey. By the 1920s contract knitting had died out and was almost forgotten until Mary Wright started asking old people about it. Her research resulted in ‘a remarkable picture of social history’ (The Guardian), ‘fascinating reading … beautifully produced’ (Western Morning News). There are many delightful contemporary photographs, and detailed instructions and charts show how to knit a Cornish guernsey incorporating one of 30 local patterns.
Mary Wright is a specialist knitting instructor and demonstrator. Her work has been exhibited extensively throughout the UK and in Japan. She is the author of Cornish Treats (Alison Hodge, 1986).
Abbreviations and Symbols Introduction Research Frocks and Jerseys Schools of Industry Contract Knitters Sticks and Needles Polperro Cornish Patterns Cornish Patterns (knitting instructions) Search On In the Round Cornish Guernsey, Basic Pattern Pattern for a Polperro Knit-Frock Bibliography
‘Along with a remarkable picture of social history there are instructions as to how to knit a gansey with thirty individual village or family patterns.’ (Guardian, 01.01.80)
