Contact Information
Flamborough Marine Limited
The Manor House
Flamborough
Bridlington
East Riding of Yorkshire
YO15 1PD
United Kingdom
Telephone:
01262 850943
International:
+44 1262 850943
E-mail:
gm@flamboroughmarine.co.uk
Filey
Other colours available include various shades of
red, green and blue, and lighter shades, such as
cream which has the beneficial side-effect of
showing the pattern beautifully. A fully patterned
Filey Gansey, hand knitted in moonlight 5-ply wool,
and featuring cables, diamonds and herringbone is
shown below, while the distinctive Humber Keel
pattern is shown at left in red.
Shown at left is Staithes
pattern, which is simple yet
elegant, and features a short
patterned welt, rather than the
deep ribbed welt of most
Ganseys.
Flamborough Ganseys
shown in “Denim” colour
5-ply wool at right and “Ocean Deep” above
In addition to the North-East
Ganseys, we have also knitted the
much more intricate Aran style. The
one shown at right was a special
order which, due to its intricacy, was
only available at a premium over the
normal Gansey price.
Whitby pattern in navy
For authentic hand-knitted Ganseys, Gansey Knitting Kits, Armor Lux
striped cotton Breton shirts and a range of traditional wool knitwear
from Le Tricoteur (the original Guernseys) and Armor Lux of France
Flamborough Marine Limited : Traditional Knitwear & Hand-Knitted Ganseys
The Manor House, Flamborough, Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire. YO15 1PD
Telephone: 01262 850943 [International: +44 1262 850943]
E-mail: gm@flamboroughmarine.co.uk
Authentic hand-knitted Ganseys, Gansey Knitting Kits, striped cotton Breton shirts, traditional wool knitwear from Le Tricoteur (Guernseys) and Armor Lux of France
The Gansey? :
A Gansey is a distinctive woollen sweater, originally designed to provide protection for fishermen from wind and water but which is ideal for all
outdoor activity. Using a tightly spun 5-ply worsted wool (popularly known as "Seamen's Iron") the intricately patterned Gansey is knitted in one
piece on five steel needles. The patterning to back and front and, in some cases, the upper part of the sleeve provides an extra layer of
protection, while the combination of seamless construction, fine wool and tight knitting produced a garment that is virtually wind- and water-
proof. Indeed, every part of the garment is designed with practicality in mind.
The wool is knitted tightly so as to "turn water"; the lack of seams ensures greater strength and impermeability; the underarm gusset allows
freedom of movement; the lower sleeves where most wear is sustained, are left plain so the worn part can be unravelled and re-knitted, while
the patterning across the chest provides extra insulation. Note that the patterning is the same, back and front. This means that the Gansey is
reversible, so that areas which come in for heavier wear, such as the elbows, can be alternated.
Important sizing information is shown below
As the Gansey is a traditional garment, with an age-old pattern, it can never go out of fashion.
For example, we were approached by a design student who wanted to take the basic garment
and then make it ever more eye-catching. To do this she needed a specially dyed wool, which
we were able to arrange. The result, a one-off, was faithfully knitted in one piece to the
authentic pattern but in a striking shade and was subsequently exhibited at the London
Fashion Design Show. It is because of our commitment to keeping the Gansey tradition alive
that This England referred to "Flamborough Marine Ltd, who now perpetuate the north-
eastern art of knitting ‘Gansey’ sweaters, a tradition which once seemed likely to die out". Note
that this Staithes pattern has a short welt with a split at each side (not visible) in contrast to the
more traditional long ribbed welt of other designs.
Flamborough Marine
Your source for authentic
hand-knitted Ganseys, Gansey
Knitting Kits, plus a range of
quality, traditional knitwear
and Armor Lux pure cotton
Breton shirts
We pride ourselves on our personal
attention to detail. If you are at all
unsure about any aspect of our
products, telephone, write or e-mail
us with your query which will be
answered promptly and, we hope,
knowledgeably. We wish to ensure
that you are completely satisfied
before making a purchase, as well
as after.
Authentic Fisherman’s Ganseys
Hand-knitted in one piece in the traditional way, using 5-ply worsted wool. Depending on demand,
we very occasionally have a Gansey available for immediate dispatch (usually shown on our Facebook
page); however, for special orders, other patterns or colours, please allow approximately six to eight
weeks for knitting, once a knitter becomes available. At times of peak demand we do have a waiting
list which can add months to the completion date. At these times we would respectfully ask for your
patience, in the knowledge that the end product will be worth waiting for.
We are capable of producing a Gansey from virtually any recorded pattern. Please note that for
special orders we require payment in advance. The wool used for knitting Ganseys is not specially
oiled, but relies on a combination of close knitting and a tight spinning twist for its weatherproof
qualities.
Important sizing information
The Gansey was originally a working garment so they are worn fairly close-fitting but should not be
uncomfortable. The patterning on them means that they can never be “baggy” and, in fact, they have
a tendency to “close-up”. In general, for the more heavily patterned Ganseys, such as Flamborough or
Filey, we recommend taking your ordinary, unexpanded, chest measurement and adding four inches.
So if your normal chest measurement is 42 inches you would require a size 46. For the plainer
patterns, two inches should suffice.
The other dimensions (overall length and sleeve length) can be adjusted to suit your requirements
but, as a guide, on average, a size 46 Gansey would have an overall length (from the neck to the
bottom, but not counting the raised neck portion) of 28 to 29 inches, with a sleeve length of 22 to 23
inches. The Ganseys are straight-sided, as the body is knitted as one piece, then the stitches for the
sleeve are picked up and the sleeve is knitted downward. There is a slight taper but the upper and
lower arm measurement for the sleeves should be virtually identical (with the measurement above
referring to the average, being a measurement taken from the centre of the sleeve edge where it
joins the body, to the end of the cuff).
To reiterate, please bear in mind the propensity of the Ganseys to "close up" to the body, with the
heavily-patterned Ganseys, especially those with a number of cables, closing up further, so that the
finished product gives the impression of being smaller than they are : when placing a special order
with a knitter we instruct them to cast on a requisite number of stitches, based on a knitting tension
approaching eight stitches to the inch.
The two images (below, right) of the same size 42 Filey Gansey illustrate the extent to which the
heavily-patterned Ganseys draw in: laid flat, it will only measure about 38 inches but will comfortably
expand to the required size. This is due to the fine wool and tight knitting.
Please note that these are
ACTUAL
GARMENT SIZES
We recommend that you order at
least two inches larger than chest
size and, in the case of the more
heavily patterned designs, such as
Flamborough and Filey, possibly
four inches larger.
Please contact us if in doubt.
Details of postage charges for UK
and International destinations are
shown on the "Ordering
Information" page.
Current range of 5-ply wool colours
The colours are shown as accurately as possible. However, due to the limitations of
the scanning process, the colours may vary slightly from the wool actually supplied.
Not all Ganseys
are in Navy
The classic
Flamborough
Pattern
Web-site design & content Copyright © 2025 Geoffrey Miller
Shipping Charges
For orders outside the U.K. postage is
charged at actual cost using the
standard Air Mail tariff. Postage
charges for orders sent to a U.K.
address vary depending on the items
ordered. Please refer to the
"Ordering" page for further details.
International Orders
We are happy to ship to any
destination. Please note,
however, that as the currency
exchange rates change on a
daily basis, it is impossible to
provide a conversion table for
other currencies.
Please note that payment
must be made in British
Pounds Sterling (GBP). Due to
high conversion charges, we
cannot accept payments in
other currencies.
A common
misconception
The wool used for knitting
Ganseys is not specially oiled,
but relies on a combination of
close knitting and a tight
spinning twist for its
weatherproof qualities.
Supremely comfortable due to the seamless construction
Filey Gansey (left)
featuring cables, diamonds,
ladders and herringbone. Like
the Flamborough Gansey, the
Filey is fully patterned from
the shoulder to just above the
welt. Other designs are half-
patterned, providing an extra
layer of protection across the
chest, while the lower half is
plain.
Filey Pattern Detail
Shown above is a close-up of the Filey pattern, showing the diamonds
(representing nets), the cables and the herringbone which are such a
prominent feature of this popular pattern. Although the knitting looks
complicated, the patterning is simply a mixture of knit and purl stitches in
addition to the cable. The real art of Gansey knitting is, rather, the
accomplishment of using five double-ended steel needles. It is possible to
use a circular knitting needle for smaller sizes but the number of stitches
required for larger sizes (over 300) and the weight of wool means that only
steel needles provide a satisfactory result. The other requirement is
patience, for each Gansey takes a minimum of four weeks to knit.
Flamborough Marine : The Manor House : Flamborough : Bridlington : East Riding of Yorkshire Telephone 01262 850943
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Another satisfied customer,
trying on his Filey Gansey
(in “Moonlight” 5-ply wool),
outside our shop in
Flamborough.
An article in "Classic Boat" magazine, which featured
our Ganseys, resulted in queries and orders from
around the world. In Bielefeld, Germany Iris Heyer
noticed the article, showed it to her husband, and we
soon received a telephone call from Thomas Heyer, to
order a Flamborough Gansey. A few weeks after it
arrived, Thomas' brother Hans saw the Gansey and
was hooked! Hans ordered a Filey Gansey. And here
they are, proudly wearing their Ganseys at the Rum-
Regatta in Flensburg, a Regatta for traditional Sailing
boats which is held each year in the North of Germany.
The Ganseys proved to be immensely useful, fighting
cold temperatures and wind forces up to 6 on the
Beaufort scale!
In the photograph, taken by Iris, the Filey Gansey on
the left is worn by Hans, and, at right the Flamborough
Gansey worn by Thomas. (The photograph was kindly
supplied by Hans, who added: "It is great that you took
the effort in reviving this old knitting craft and our
admiration goes to the knitters for their skills!")
Pricing Information
We are not part of the VAT (Value
Added Tax) scheme. All prices
shown on this web-site are NET
with postage only to be added to
mail orders. Details of postage
charges for UK and International
destinations are shown on the
"Ordering" page.
Above: Filey 42 Gansey laid flat
Below: Filey 42 Gansey when worn
A variant of the
Flamborough pattern
with anchor and
Tree of Life
A variant of the
Humber Keel pattern
with the classic Star
Gansey Price List
Size (inches/cm)
36" chest
92cm
£480
38" chest
97cm
£490
40" chest
102cm
£500
42" chest
107cm
£510
44" chest
112cm
£520
46" chest
117cm
£530
48" chest
122cm
£540
50" chest
127cm
£560
52" chest
132cm
£580
54" chest
137cm
£600
Larger or smaller, please inquire
Filey Gansey in denim 5-ply wool
Flamborough pattern in
Herring Girl Pink
"Mrs Dix" pattern Gansey (a Staithes
variant) with roll neck
Flamborough Anchor &
Tree of Life variant