 
  
  
 
  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
  If your browser indicates that this site is not secure, please click HERE to go to the secure version.
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
  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
  For U. S. orders, please add 10%
   
 
 
  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