I have been thinking about ordering a bespoke gansey from Tristan da Cunha:
https://www.tristandc.com/hand37degreessouth.php
I am looking at the cable style crew neck in local grey wool.
Should I? Has anyone here ordered from Tristan DC? Or have you visited there? Or what other sweaters or cardigans would you recommend?
No idea if they are good but I’m all for supporting such an isolated community
Le Tricoteur Guernseys are the best jumpers I've ever had.
https://letricoteur.co/collections/m...ernsey-jumpers
"A man of little significance"
Have you seen Flamborough Marine Ganseys? That’s where I’d be buying from if I was going to get one.
Saw those online a few months ago, as Flamborough isn't too far away we intend looking at those when when lockdown is over.Originally Posted by junglebert
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
What a interesting thread ...Is there a website for traditional Arran Jumpers ?, also what's the returns policy on the TDC Gansey Jumpers, time you sent it back and got the a different size you probably put the weight back on
Cheers
Yeah they're the ones we have, warm as toast.
Last edited by number2; 16th March 2021 at 17:57.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
No help really but an uncle of mine was Administrator there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Hu...t,_3rd_Baronet
That is fascinating. It must have been a remarkable experience to be posted there for three years in the early 1950s as a relatively young family man. They must have worn the local woolens, too. Thanks for sharing.
This is what is so compelling, that it is the remotest inhabited island supposedly, with about 250 souls. Even more isolated with COVID travel restrictions.
I like this bit from their website:
“The tradition of knitting on the remotest inhabited place on earth spans more than two centuries. Knitting to this day remains a very important part of Tristan life.”
Le Tricoteur looks great; I will keep that in mind. Flamborough Marine, too, though most likely out of my price range. If I am reading the Tristan DC site correctly, their locally made-to-order ganseys are £88.50 to £120.00. I am emailing an inquiry to them to confirm.
Last edited by williemays; 17th March 2021 at 00:50.
I had no idea these garments even existed but now I want one.
I have been after a traditional Aran Sweater for years, (not been there for a while and am wary of online versions) now these. I don’t need another collection. Thanks for sharing.
This is great! And what a price for a handmade item and a completely local production chain. (I must admit, I haven't looked at the shipping costs).
I can’t find prices for the sweaters. Can see everything else though! Where are the prices hiding ?
On this page:
https://www.tristandc.com/handwoollensbespoke.php
Guide prices, depending on wool type, design and size:
Sweaters/'Ganseys': £88.50 - £120.00
Sleeveless Pullovers: £60.50 - £67.50
I wonder if those prices are current, or what other costs or fees may be added. I don’t see shipping, either.
I sent an inquiry and will share their response here.
Last edited by williemays; 17th March 2021 at 08:40.
I suppose there’s always Sales Corner for irregular nonreturnables from the ends of the earth.
When i was looking for a Guernsey I went with guernseysweaters, mainly because they were a tad quicker delivery for what I was after, namely traditional cream.
who knew I was so stylish lol.
Cheers,
Ben
..... for I have become the Jedi of flippers
" an extravagance is anything you buy that is of no earthly use to your wife "
There goes a gentleman who is laird of his clan!who knew I was so stylish lol.
Were you wearing a watch in that photo?
When i was looking for a Guernsey I went with guernseysweaters, mainly because they were a tad quicker delivery for what I was after, namely traditional cream.
who knew I was so stylish lol.
I can't help thinking that man about town...
...has a slightly better ring to it than man about the Taunton Bypass.
In the Sotadic Zone, apparently.
As much as I would love to live in Mayfair, sadly Alan thats not going to happenI can't help thinking that man about town...
...has a slightly better ring to it than man about the Taunton Bypass.
Cheers,
Ben
..... for I have become the Jedi of flippers
" an extravagance is anything you buy that is of no earthly use to your wife "
Interesting that it's called a gansey. When I was a bairn in a Durham mining village, we'd get our home knitted ganzies out when the colder weather set in at the back end of the year.
F.T.F.A.
I know what you mean but, to be honest, whilst there was a time when a set in Albany would have been the perfect abode I think Covid (and perhaps a bit of maturity) has cured that.As much as I would love to live in Mayfair, sadly Alan thats not going to happen
In the Sotadic Zone, apparently.
I've still got a Guernsey made by my Mother (she is from the island) which must be 40+ years old. Amazingly still fits me, and in excellent condition because never thought it was very 'cool' so hardly wore it.
Don't think cream was ever a traditional colour BTW!
A genuine Gansey has no seam. It is knitted in the round. (Think tube/sock) they take in excess off 100 hours of knitting and range in price from £375 upto £900 depending on pattern chosen etc. Made for fishermen along the east coast each with a unique pattern and meaning. WindProof and long lasting.
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Can't be many destinations where you can do your quarantine while you're getting there.
In the Sotadic Zone, apparently.
I received a reply from Tristan da Cunha. Rachel there confirmed a cable style sweater in island grey wool in XL would be about £99.50, but they would need my specific measurements, which I have now sent. I am still not sure about shipping costs or timeframe, but will report back here when I learn more.
Keep us (me) posted. I'm getting more and more interested.
Yes please do, local spun wool, hand knitted in a small community, considering the hours involved, I bet every one is unique, £99 is a bargain and will last a lifetime.
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An update on my order from Tristan da Cunha!
The price, which includes packaging and postage:
Large Sweater - £95.50
Paypal Fee - £5.45
Total - £100.95
They also accept bank transfers.
Timeframe: “A sweater may take several months before its completed.”
Unless I hear anything in the interim, I will report again here after several months!
I am chuffed!
Excellent. It looks quite a cheap price for what it is, regardless of the wait.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
That's incredible good VFM for a handmade, bespoke item! And let's not talk about the (more-or-less) absense shipping costs!An update on my order from Tristan da Cunha!
The price, which includes packaging and postage:
Large Sweater - £95.50
Paypal Fee - £5.45
Total - £100.95
They also accept bank transfers.
Timeframe: “A sweater may take several months before its completed.”
Unless I hear anything in the interim, I will report again here after several months!
I am chuffed!
An update! My gansey is complete and is awaiting ship to Cape Town.
According to shipping schedules at https://www.tristandc.com/shipping.php departure should be on 25 June 2021. It is a 6-day 1750-mile voyage to Cape Town.
With permission, here is the gansey with Tristan da Cunha knitter Catherine Glass:
That looks fantastic. Amazing value.
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Lovely colour, cabling and neck. You’re a big chap Willie, or the lady is small.
Isn’t the difference between a Gansey (I think more of an east or north east term, my dad called all jumpers Gansies) and a Guernsey the cabling?
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Thanks, Billy. I am 6 feet tall and 174 pounds, but I took my own measurements, so I am hoping that lady is tiny. Maybe this is like the recent photo of the Bidens and Carters?
Their website says gansey is a local variation of Guernsey, but it is not clear if it refers to a specific style or design of pullover sweater.
They have been making wool clothing there for 200 years, but I think most islanders are British descendants, so I imagine they have adapted the northern term for their own use.
Here is more about their history: https://www.tristandc.com/hand37degreessouth.php
According an email this morning from Tristan da Cunha, the gansey is leaving by ship in the next few days. I believe this is the vessel, the MFV Edinburgh:
Photo from https://www.tristandc.com/shipping/n...-edinburgh.php.
On arrival in Cape Town, the package could take approximately 2 to 4 months to arrive at my location in the US.
This picture is the best I've ever seen of a courier. This beats DHL, Fedex and all those white van deliveries. Hands down.According an email this morning from Tristan da Cunha, the gansey is leaving by ship in the next few days. I believe this is the vessel, the MFV Edinburgh:
Photo from https://www.tristandc.com/shipping/n...-edinburgh.php.
On arrival in Cape Town, the package could take approximately 2 to 4 months to arrive at my location in the US.
I shipped a pair of clogs/wooden shoes to a friend in Ohio. I used the Dutch version of the Royal Mail. It a month for the parcel to reach is address. Word has it that US customs prefers shipping by boat.
Menno
Looks a cracking jumper and I love the tradition and personal touch. I really don't need more than one Guernsey though (having been persuaded by Foxy's thread years ago to buy a Tricoteur). I look forward to the unwrapping photos.
Fantastic thread and thanks for the updates regarding the delivery of the gansey.
Like several others, I have some that were hand knitted for me by a relative (to measure). They have lasted well and for a long time.
I found them particularly useful in bad weather (as they help to repel water and breathe), and when doing more strenuous or long-lasting outdoor activities.
That the area around the armpits is quite loose is to my preference.
The quality of the wool, in addition to the skill of the knitter, is significant, imho.
Geansaidh (Scots Gaelic) and geansai (Irish Gaelic) are the words for a jumper or swearer. There must be some distant etymology.
I'd say a Gansey is a generic term for a fisherman's style jumper. A Guernsey is a specific pattern from the island of Guernsey (obviously).
The gansey arrived on 21 August!
The colors in these phone images seem off. In reality the wool is a handsome natural grey blend.
The sweater was made by hand to my measurements, and it fits perfectly and is very comfortable. I will share more photos this fall when I am actually wearing the gansey in cooler weather.
For those interested, my initial inquiry by email was 16 March, and I paid £101 on 22 March. The knitting was completed by 4 June, and the sweater departed Tristan da Cunha by ship on 14 June.
I assume the knitter Catherine Glass is a descendant of William Glass who settled on the island around 1817, and the wool was taken from sheep which have been raised on the island for generations.
I am very excited, and am glad I decided to give this a try. I thought a bespoke island gansey would have cost two or three times much as this did. I am looking forward to wintertime, and to wearing this for years to come!
Very impressed and may well order oneThe gansey arrived on 21 August!
The colors in these phone images seem off. In reality the wool is a handsome natural grey blend.
The sweater was made by hand to my measurements, and it fits perfectly and is very comfortable. I will share more photos this fall when I am actually wearing the gansey in cooler weather.
For those interested, my initial inquiry by email was 16 March, and I paid £101 on 22 March. The knitting was completed by 4 June, and the sweater departed Tristan da Cunha by ship on 14 June.
I assume the knitter Catherine Glass is a descendant of William Glass who settled on the island around 1817, and the wool was taken from sheep which have been raised on the island for generations.
I am very excited, and am glad I decided to give this a try. I thought a bespoke island gansey would have cost two or three times much as this did. I am looking forward to wintertime, and to wearing this for years to come!
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
Very nice althoigh how come it took so long to arrive in the UK. Appreciate it is a remote location but surely there is at least a weekly boat?
Edit I just Wikipedia-d the island - blimey that IS remote!
Last edited by ryanb741; 23rd August 2021 at 23:40.
… and I am in Dubuque (US), the world’s remotest city.
I had a fun night out in Dubuque once!
I take your T-da-C wire wool gansy and raise it by a Herdwick. If you want the authentic wire-wool-wearing experience, buy a Herdwick.
Don't try to soften them; just love them.
At one of our fine casinos?
The Cape Town-TdC-Cape Town boat is less than once a month.
That fabulous knitwear has had quite a journey!
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Br interested to know how you get on with this as I find alot of these types of jumpers to be very itchy. I had a Guernsey one a while ago and sold it on on here as no mater what I tried it just didn't seem to soften up.
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