...offering
classes on traditional techniques, and wholesale patterns.
Books and Patterns
The goal at Knitting Traditions is to educate knitters
while providing them with quality, well-written instruction
booklets. The designs are based on historic garments and techniques,
which are illustrated through the use of theory boxes, photographs,
and step by step directions. Garment finishing and washing
instructions, as well as a glossary of terms, are included.
A bibliography at the end of each booklet provides the knitter
with resources for further study.
Two free patterns to download!
Sock ornament or pin
Lovikka Mittens for kids
Please contact a retail supplier
to order any of our patterns. Minimum wholesale
order is 5 copies of any pattern. Suggested skill levels
for each pattern are shown in italics.
Books
 Beth's
first book, Knitting Ganseys was
first published in 1993, by Interweave Press. It is
a step by step guide to learning the traditional techniques
of creating ganseys, the British fishermen's working garment.
By knitting a small scale sweater which features these many
techniques, the reader can acquire the necessary skills
in a short time. The chapter on designing walks the
reader through the process, while the chapter of six garment
designs offers ready made instructions for those who don't
want to design quite yet. Knitting Ganseys
has earned the distinction as a classic knitting book. It
is in its ninth printing.
Beth's second book, Knitting Scandinavian
Sweaters, is being published by Nomad
Press. The release date has not yet been established.
Ordering Information
Click on an image to see a larger picture.
Sweater Patterns
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The Danish Nattrøjer
The Nattrøjer were a part of everyday wear
for Danish women in the 1800s. These were cropped pullovers,
used as undershirts. Although many variations were
created, the sweaters usually contained some of the
following construction details. The welts, made of
a checkerboard design, are knitted back and forth,
then joined circularly. The body is knitted in the
round up to the armholes, including a half gusset made
with increases. At this point the garment is split
at the armholes and is knitted back and forth up to
the shoulders, again dividing at the front and back
neck. The shoulders are then joined and the sleeves
are picked up and knitted down to the loose-fitting
cuffs. Because of the enormous motif repeat (58 stitches),
only four sizes are shown here. But by changing the
gauge, as noted in the pattern, a greater range of
sizes can be knitted.
Featured techniques/tips: Overlapped, Split Welts,
The Underarm Half-Gusset, The Three-Needle Bind-off
Yarn: Sport weight or Guernsey yarn
Finished Sizes: 33.25" (41.5",
49.25",
58")
Ordering Information
You may also order this pattern as a PDF download at
this LINK
on PatternFish. |
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Classic Gansey Cardigan
Intermediate. This Gansey Cardigan is worked
in one piece flat
(back and forth) for the body. The first half of the
underarm
gusset, a diamond shaped piece, is created with paired
increases in
the body. The gussets are put on holders, the body
is then split at
the armholes, and the two fronts and back are worked
flat separately.
The shoulders are joined and the sleeves are picked
up around
the armhole. The second half of the gusset is created
with paired
decreases as the sleeve is knitted to the cuff circularly.
The neckband
and buttonbands are then picked up and worked—no
seams
to sew!
Featured techniques: Reading Charts, Underarm Gussets,
Raised Increases, A Beautiful Buttonhole
Yarn: Worsted
weight
Finished Sizes: 36.25 (40.25, 44.25, 48.5, 53.5)"
Ordering Information
You may also order this pattern as a PDF download at
this LINK
on PatternFish. |
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A Braided Vest
Intermediate. Five sizes. This vest is trimmed
with a knitted-in braid which makes the vest look special,
and it's so easy to do! Directions are also included
for a crocheted steek. This is a nice alternative to
the standard steek which is sewn using a sewing machine.
The gauge is 4 sts/inch in Creskeld Aran yarn or other
heavy worsted weight.
Featured Techniques: Knitted Herringbone
Braid, Crocheted Steek.
Yarn: heavy worsted weight
Finished Sizes: 36", 40",
44", 48", 52"
Ordering Information |
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Confetti
Easy. Four sizes. This cropped pullover is
worked circularly from the bottom edge to the underarm.
The body is split at the armholes, and the front and
back are worked back and forth separately. The shoulders
are then joined and the sleeves are picked up at the
armhole and knit to the cuff. The neckline trim is picked
up and knit in the round. You can use one contrast color
or many. The yardage stated for the Contrast Color is
the total necessary. Three contrast colors were used
in the garment shown. The gauge is 5 sts/inch.
Featured Techniques: Color Changes
From Knit to Purl, The Three Needle Bind-Off
Yarn: worsted weight
Finished Sizes: 38.5 (40.75, 44.5,
48)"
Ordering Information |
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| GANSEYS for ADULTS |
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Photo: © 1993 Rick Mastelli
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Muted Musician
Easy. Six sizes plus notes on adjusting armhole
for men's sizing. This circularly knit all-over patterned
pullover has a 2 x 2 ribbing, underarm gussets, seam
stitches, shaped neckline, and crew collar. The gauge
is 4 sts/inch.
Featured Techniques: Double Cast-on,
Raised Increases, Knitted Bound-off Shoulders, Doubled
Crew Collar.
Yarn: heavy worsted weight
Finished Sizes: 34", 38",
42", 46", 50", 54"
Ordering Information |
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The Big Easy Gansey
Easy. Four sizes. This heavy worsted weight
drop-shouldered oversized garment is designed for circular
knitting, with two different necklines to choose from
(wide or conventional). Traditional gansey motifs have
been incorporated into the garment, while the construction
techniques have been streamlined for easy, no-fuss knitting.
The gauge is 4.5 sts/inch.
Featured Techniques: Double Cast-On,
Garter Stitch edges (bottom and cuffs), Shaped neckline,
Knitted Bound-off Shoulders (3 needle bind-off).
Yarn: heavy worsted weight
Finished Sizes: Petite-41", Small-44",
Medium-49", Large-54"
Ordering Information |
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Photo: © 1993 Rick Mastelli
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The White Gansey
Intermediate. Six sizes. Channel Island Cast-on
with 1 x 1 rib, seam stitches, bisected reverse stockinette
stitch underarm gussets, neck gussets and rolled collar.
A circularly knit, horizontally patterned gansey. The
gauge is 6 stitches/ inch.
Featured Techniques: Channel Island
Cast-on, Underarm Gussets, Knitted Bound-off Shoulders,
Inverted Triangular Neck Gussets.
Yarn: Guernsey yarn or other smooth
sport weight
Finished Sizes: 34", 38",
42", 46", 50", 54"
Ordering Information |
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Photo: © 1993 Rick Mastelli
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Grace's Cardigan
Experienced. Six sizes. A non-traditional,
over-sized cardigan, knitted back and forth flat. Channel
Island Cast-On, split garter welts, seed stitch initials,
seam stitches, garter stitch definition ridge, underarm
gussets, shoulder straps, very full sleeves, buttonbands
knitted as part of the body. The gauge is 7 stitches/
inch.
Featured Techniques: The Channel
Island Cast-on, Underarm Gussets, Raised Increases,
The Perpendicular Shoulder Join, Contrast Color Cast-on.
Yarn: Guernsey yarn or other smooth
sport weight
Finished Sizes: 36", 40",
44", 48", 52", 56"
Ordering Information |
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At Sea
Experienced. Three sizes. This is the sweater
I designed for the beautiful book Knitting In America,
by Melanie Falick. The pattern offers a choice of a
rolled neck or a cabled neckband, and lots of detail
in the patterning -- even the seam stitches are pairs
of baby cables! 7 sts/inch in Guernsey yarn.
Featured Techniques: The Channel
Island Cast-on, Underarm Gussets, Inverted Triangular
Neck Gussets.
Yarn: Guernsey yarn or other smooth
sport weight
Finished Garment Measurement:
42 (48, 53.5) inches
Ordering Information |
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Diamonds and Triangles
Intermediate. This tunic length gansey has
split garter welts, underarm gussets, and neckline gussets
to give depth to the otherwise boat neckline. Worked
in traditional knit and purl textural patterns, the
gansey is knitted in the round from the joining of the
welts to the mid-point of the underarm gussets. The
front and back upper body are worked back and forth,
and, after the shoulder seams are joined, the sleeves
are picked up around the armhole and worked to the cuff. The
neck is finished in garter stitch. The gauge is 20 sts
/4 inches.
Featured Techniques: Split Welts,
Underarm Gusset, Three Needle Bind-off, Inverted Triangular
Neck Gussets.
Yarn: Aran weight yarn
Finished Sizes: Width: 44 (48, 52)
inches; Length: 27 (28, 29) inches
Ordering Information |
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| ARANS for ADULTS |
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Celtic Dreams
Experienced. Four sizes. This Aran sweater,
worked from the top down, was first seen in Interweave
Knits magazine. I knitted this garment out of the
Creskeld Blue Face Leicester, but the Wensleydale would
also work. Gauge is 4.5 sts/inch.
Featured Techniques: Saddle shoulders,
a longer length, and a discussion of avoiding cable
splay.
Yarn: heavy worsted weight
Finished Sizes: 36", 40",
46", 52"
Errata >>
Ordering Information |
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Marilyn
Experienced. Four sizes.
This cardigan was first published in a Classic Elite
booklet. It is knitted from the bottom up as one
piece, back and forth, including the button bands which
are patterned in the OX cable. This was knitted
in the Wensleydale yarn by British Breeds, but is lovely
also in Black Water Abbey Yarns. Gauge is 5 sts/
inch, knitted firmly.
Featured Techniques: Bound
off Braid, Cable splay
Yarn: Aran weight or heavy worsted
weight
Finished Sizes (from button band to
buttonhole band): 40" (44", 48",
52")
Ordering Information |
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Jerod's Aran
Intermediate. Five sizes: child's 4: 30"
(Child's 6-8: 34", Child's 10-12/ Women's Petite:
38", Women's Small: 42", Women's Medium: 46").
This Aran is knitted in the round up to the armholes,
and knitted flat for the yoke. The sleeves are knitted
up to the armhole, then saddle shoulders are worked
with the perpendicular shoulder join. It's a seamless,
circular Aran! Gauge: 4 sts/in. The cables jump out!
Featured Techniques: Knitting in
Sleeves, the Perpendicular Shoulder Join.
Yarn: heavy worsted weight
Finished Chest Measurement:
30 (34, 38, 42, 46) inches
Ordering Information |
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| GANSEYS for KIDS |
Photo: © 1993 Rick Mastelli |
Jerod's Gansey
Easy. Booklets available in two different
gauges, for worsted weight or gansey weight. Circularly
knit horizontal patterning with simple shoulder extensions,
seam stitches, bisected underarm gussets, and ribbed
cuff, neckband, bottom edge.
Featured Techniques: Multi-strand
Cast-on (gansey weight only), Rig 'n' Furrow Shoulder
Extensions, Kitchener Stitch.
Yarn: heavy worsted weight
Finished Sizes: 22", 24.75",
27.5", 30", 32.75".
Yarn: Guernsey yarn or other smooth
sport weight
Finished Sizes: 22.5", 24.5",
26.5", 28.5", 30.5", 32.5"
Ordering Information |
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Photo: © 1993 Rick Mastelli |
Snakes and Ladders
Intermediate. Three sizes. Wonderful snake
cables and ladders adorn this circularly knit toddler's
pullover as well as the knotted cast-on, a garter welt,
seam stitches, underarm gussets, and a rolled collar.
The gauge is 6 stitches/ inch.
Featured Techniques: Knotted Cast-on,
Raised Increases, Underarm Gussets
Yarn: Guernsey yarn or other smooth
sport weight
Finished Sizes: 22", 24",
26"
Ordering Information |
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Photo: © 1993 Rick Mastelli |
Chelsea's Heart Gansey
Intermediate. Six sizes. Hearts and baby
cables adorn this child's circularly knit gansey made
with overlapped split welts and margin rib, underarm
gussets, shoulder extensions, and neckline gussets.
The gauge is 6 stitches/inch.
Featured Techniques: Knotted Cast-on,
split overlapped welts, underarm gussets
Yarn: Guernsey yarn or other smooth
sport weight
Finished Sizes: 22", 24",
26", 28", 30", 32"
Ordering Information
You may also order this pattern as a PDF download
at this LINK
on PatternFish. |
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Chloë's Dress
Intermediate. Three sizes. This little girl’s
dress won first place in the Design Competition at the
1987 TKGA National Convention and was featured on the
cover of Cast-on Magazine . Thus began my career...
The skirt is knitted circularly up to the armholes,
the shirred bodice is knitted flat, and the puffed sleeves
are picked up and knitted down. It occurs to me now
that ganseys are knitted the same way and I carried
that construction method over into this dress without
even thinking about it! The picot hem and I-cord cast-off
at the cuffs and neck add to the daintiness of this
garment.
NOTE: All proceeds from the sale
of this pattern are donated to the CJ
Foundation for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Ordering Information
You may also order this pattern as a PDF download
at this LINK
on PatternFish. |
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| ARANS for KIDS |
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Jerod's Aran
Intermediate. Five sizes: child's 4: 30"
(Child's 6-8: 34", Child's 10-12/ Women's Petite:
38", Women's Small: 42", Women's Medium: 46").
This Aran is knitted in the round up to the armholes,
and knitted flat for the yoke. The sleeves are knitted
up to the armhole, then saddle shoulders are worked
with the perpendicular shoulder join. It's a seamless,
circular Aran! Gauge: 4 sts/in. The cables jump out!
Featured Techniques: Knitting in
Sleeves, the Perpendicular Shoulder Join.
Yarn: heavy worsted weight
Finished Chest Measurement:
30 (34, 38, 42, 46) inches
Ordering Information |
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| FAIR ISLE for KIDS |
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Chelsea's Fair Isle Vest
Experienced. Four sizes. This pullover vest
is knitted in 8 colors. The square armholes and V-neck
are steeked. The vest appears complex, although the
main color remains the same throughout, making it easier
to work. The background shading changes every 2 to 3
rounds. Don't let the gauge scare you (9 stitches/inch).
There are four colorway suggestions based on the colors
Brown Sheep carries, but you are invited to try your
own combinations! Worked in Nature Spun Sport Weight
yarn.
Featured Techniques: Two-handed Stranding,
Corrugated Ribbing, Weaving, Steeks and Cutting Your
Knitting.
Yarn: Brown Sheep Nature Spun sport
weight
Finished Sizes: 25", 28.5",
32", 35"
Ordering Information |
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