Free gansey knitting patterns are inspired by the sweaters worn by fishermen around the coasts of the UK which were called ganseys or guernseys. They feature combinations of stitch patterns using just knit and purl stitches. Updated 1/7/24
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Free Patterns
Mini Gansey Sweater
Child sized pullover featuring a variety of traditional fisherman gansey motifs including basketweave, diamonds, beaded rib, and more. Sizes 2 (3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10) years. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Lena Skvagerson.
Sundance Gansey Scarf
Textured scarf knit with a zigzag pattern, lace and gansey stripe section, ending with rib edges. Designed by Lena Skvagerson. Aran weight yarn. Featured in Knit and Crochet Now and also one of the patterns in Learn-a-Stitch Knit Scarves.
- Get the free knitting pattern at Annie's for free registration
- Buy the video class for this pattern and 2 other patterns for $3.99
- Buy the Learn-a-Stitch Knit Scarves book
Nordkapp Hoodie
Long-sleeved hooded pullover sweater features textured sampler patterns reminiscent of Gansey stitches. Sizes Woman’s S through 2XL. Designed by Lena Skvagerson. DK weight yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern at Annie's for free registration
- Buy the video class for this pattern and 2 other patterns for $3.99
- See more Hoodie Knitting Patterns
Battersea Top
Short-sleeved pullover features a curved hemline, boat-neck neckline and traditional fisherman gansey motifs on the yoke. Designed by Valérie Miller. Sizes 34 (35.5, 37, 39, 41, 42.5).
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- See more Short Sleeved Sweaters Knitting Patterns
Trading 4s Gansey Sampler Scarf
Scarf with sections of textured stitches. Aran yarn. Designed by Shannon Dunbabin for Cascade Yarns. (This is a reworking of the Gansey Sampler Scarf which was discontinued.)
- Get the free knitting pattern on the Internet archive
- See the Ravelry page
- See more Easy Scarf Knitting Patterns
Texture Mix Scarf
Scarf with alternating sections of textures in knit and purl stitches including Diamond, Basketweave, and Diagonal pattern. Approx 13" x 84" (33 x 213.5 cm). Designed by Yarnspirations. Bulky weight yarn.
- Get the free PDF VERSION knitting pattern at Yarnspirations
- Get the recommended Patons® Alpaca Blend yarn
Easy Knit and Purl Baby Blanket
Easy baby blanket in a gansey sampler style in sections of stitches made just by knit and purl combinations. Suitable for beginners according to the designer Tina van den Berg. Rated easy by Ravelrers. 80cm x 80cm - instructions included for blankets of 100cm/120cm width. Pictured project by pamcama
Textured Stitch Wrap
Easy rectangular shawl pattern by Patons that features 3 stitch patterns repeated to the desired length. Approx 16½” x 65″ [42 x 165 cm]. Pictured project by frankmomof3
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Patons Canadiana yarn on Amazon
Wee Gansey Sweater
This baby pullover features hearts and diamond motifs with cables in the gansey fishermen sweater style. Sizes 3-12 months, 12-24 months. Sport weight yarn. Designed by John Crane
Old Way Gansey
Classic long-sleeved pullover designed by Ann Budd. Originally designed to be felted so if you don’t felt, knit to the after felting measurements. One of the free patterns in the free ebook 7 FREE Knitting Patterns for Men from Interweave. Pictured project by alissahead.
Guernsey Style Baby Blanket
Kate McDaid was inspired by the textures of classic Guernsey, or Gansey, patterns to create this easy blanket that knits up quickly in bulky weight yarn.
The Great Gansey Top
This pullover tee features a Gansey pattern that’s just a 12-stitch repeat with welts as resting rows. Designed by Kalliopi Aronis. Women’s XS, S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Cascade Yarns Cascade 220 Sport yarn on Amazon
- See more Tee Top Knitting Patterns
Murrayfield Hat
Beanie with textured stitches and cables in gansey motifs. DK yarn. Designed by LES BONNETS NÊ. Available in English and French.
Gansey Diamond Mitts
Fingerless mitts feature a Gansey inspired stitch pattern of purl stitches on a stockinette field. Designed by Kerin Dimeler-Laurence. Pictured project by Chimona
More Free Patterns
Gansey Poncho
The poncho is knit in a single long panel that is folded in half and sewn together along one side, with an opening left for the neck. The sideways construction made this look crocheted to me but it’s knit! Designed by Premier Yarns.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Premier® Yarns Serenity® Chunky on Amazon
- See more Poncho Knitting Patterns
Carra Sweater
This gansey-inspired pullover is knit in pieces with simple knit-and-purl charted stitch patterns. Sizes Bust—33 (36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54)”. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Alison Green for Berroco for one of my favorite yarns Berroco Modern Cotton
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Berroco Modern Cotton yarn on Amazon
- See more Long Sleeve Pullover Knitting Patterns
Gansey Wristers
Fingerless mitts with textured stitch sections. Designed by Kalliopi Aronis
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See Kalliopi’s children’s book Peril at Pixie Publishing Co.
- See more Wristwarmer Knitting Patterns
Baby Gansey Sweater
This Easy Baby Aran pullover features gansey texture stitch patterns and buttons at the shoulders for easy dressing. Designed by Sarah Hoffman. Size 12 to 28 months / 20 inch chest finished size. Pattern is on the Internet Archive.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Lion Brand Wool-Ease yarn on Amazon
Drift Cardigan
Classic long-sleeved cardigan by Norah Gaughan features the gansey stitch patterns in flattering lines. Sizes XS-2X
Gladys Gansey Socks
This sock features textured stitches like those in traditional Guersey / Gansey fishermen’s sweaters. Designed by General Hogbuffer who named this after Gladys Thompson who wrote the book Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys & Arans
- Get the free knitting pattern
Get the book Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys & Arans on Amazon (Kindle and Prime available)
4-Row Gansey Scarf
This textured scarf is knit with a 4 row repeat — even including the cables. Designed y Marji LaFreniere
Arguyle Pullover Sweater
Long-sleeved pullover with stitches inspired by fishermen’s gansey sweaters. Sizes S[M, L, 1X, 2X]. Designed by Kathleen Sperling
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page with notes on modifications
- See more Men’s Sweater Knitting Patterns
Karin’s Gansey Scarf
This scarf features diamond motifs and other textured stitches. Designed by Tina Hees. Pictured project by jeffmeister
Guernsey Sweater
Long-sleeved pullover with gansey textures. Sizes child 10, adult S, M, L. Bulky yarn. Designed by Christiane Burkhard.
Gansey Hat
This easy pompom beanie hat is sized for children but some knitters have adapted for adults by adding repeats. Designed by Christiane Burkhard of LISMI Knits
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash yarn on Amazon
- See more Pompom Hat Knitting Patterns
- See more of Christiane’s Knitting Patterns
McDreamy Jumper
This pullover has a textured Gansey-style yoke and buttons along the edge of the raglan sleeve for easy dressing. Sizes 1/3 – 6/9 – 12/18 months (2 – 3/4) years. Designed by DROPS Design. Available in many languages. Pictured project by Fraugee728.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Garnstudio DROPS Baby Merino Yarn on Etsy
- See more Baby Pullover Knitting Patterns
Treads Tipless Gloves
Victoria Anne Baker’s Gansey-inspired unisex gloves feature the linen ridge stitch that inspired the name of the pattern that can easily be modified to make full-fingered gloves, fingerless mitts, or even mittens.
Buttonbox Vest
Elizabeth McCarten’s vest features a modified gansey pattern with french knots and pockets. Knitters have customized this pattern for other stitch textures, without the pockets, or deeper shawl collar. Great range of sizes XS/S-3X. Pictured project by Tricodentelle
Pern
Norah Gaughan’s easy tee top re-interprets the traditional fisherman’s gansey with easy slipped stitch rib, garter details, and a generous hem. XS, S, M, L, 1X, 2X
Patterns for Purchase
Modern Gansey Sweater
No longer free. A top-down textured pullover with customizable bands of gansey stitches in knit and purl. Instructions for a cropped, high neck feminine version or a long crew neck version for men are included. Sizes 36, 40, 44, 48, 52". Designed by Elizabeth McCarten. Bulky weight yarn.
Knitting Ganseys, Revised and Updated: Techniques and Patterns for Traditional Sweaters
In this newly revised and updated edition, you’ll find even more information on the gansey tradition as well as new, modern sweater knitting patterns.
Gansey Afghan
Five different stitch patterns are repeated in row sections in this fishermen’s sweater style afghan. Finished size is approximately 44″ x 50″.
Ganz Shawl
Ganz is a slightly asymmetrical triangular shawl that begins with a cable and gansey panel. Stitches are picked up on the long side of the panel to work the stockinette stitch body.
River Forest Gansey Sweater
This long-sleeved pullover features Tree of Life and basketweave gansey stitches. Sized to fit child to adult. Chest 25, 29, 33, 37, 39, 43, 47, 51, 55 inchesOne of the more than 50 patterns in Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick (Author) and Susan Pittard (Photographer). Pictured project by eileenwh
Gansey Stole
Cozy scarf or shawl features a variety of stitch patterns. Finished size is 19″ x 70″
She’s Electric Skirt
This Aztec Pattern Bodycon Skirt takes the gansey textured designs and adapts them to Aztec design to create a skirt that can be adapted for all times of the year. Sizes XS-1X to fit 31-49″ Hips
Gansey Workbook
Elizabeth Lovick provides instruction and at least 6 patterns in this workbook.
