Traditional Dutch Ganseys for Children: Over 40 Sweaters to Knit from 30 Fishing Villages

Based on the original designs shared by families and discovered in archives, Stella has created recreations of these historically important garments for our contemporary life that ooze classic style with modern minimalism. With these designs, you are offered not only a chance to pay homage to the women who lovingly knitted the jumpers and to share in a beautiful Dutch tradition, but also give something for your child to treasure for years to come.

The sizes of the ganseys run from 2- to 14-years old, but can easily be adjusted to any child’s size by following Stella’s straightforward measuring instructions in her chapter on knitting know-how. With a wealth of fascinating background information and historical photos of the original designs alongside every design, this is a unique and inspiring book for the ambitious knitter looking for unique, classic knitwear, and a brilliant read for anyone interested in craft, culture and heritage.

Between approximately 1875 and 1950, Dutch fishermen wore sweaters with characteristic knit and purl stitch patterns, sometimes cable. These jerseys, known as ganseys, became an intrinsic part of the identity of the Dutchmen who wore them. Many of the children in these fishing families wore ganseys too, and numerous photos have been discovered in recent years of schoolchildren dressed in the knitwear seen on their fishermen fathers.

Now, based on her popular Dutch Traditional Ganseys (2013) and More Traditional Dutch Ganseys (2017), Stella Ruhe returns with over 40 sweaters to knit from 30 different Dutch villages – this time, for your little ones to wear and ramble in.