Traditional Guernseys were knitted by the womenfolk of the fishing and farming families of the islands, when many earned their living from the sea or the land. The distinctive pattern was handed down from generation to generation and the knitting skills passed on from mother to daughter.

To this day traditional Guernsey knitwear and Alderney sweaters are produced using age old techniques that have been tried and tested for more than a century. The traditional Guernsey is created by carefully increasing or decreasing the number of stitches in any row and thereby producing firm selvedges through which wool seaming yarn is sewn. They are knitted with close stitches from tightly twisted wool and this gives it its ability to withstand sea spray and rain The result is a strong, long lasting garment that will hold its shape better in both wear and washing.

The traditional Guernsey has always been made from the best English worsted wool since the 16th century, when licenses were granted by the crown to import wool from England. Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots both owned Guernsey knitwear. Mary Queen of Scots even wore Guernsey stockings at her execution. Channel Jumper still only knit with the best English worsted wool and have presented their traditional Guernsey knitwear to several of today's British Royal Family as gifts when they have visited the small island of Alderney.

The Guernsey had become well known by the 19th century. Nelson recommended it to the Admiralty as a valuable article of Naval clothing and, in 1857, the soldiers of the garrison in Halifax, Nova Scotia were issued with Guernseys as part of their winter equipment.

© Copyright Channel Jumpers - Traditional Guernsey knitwear and genuine Alderney sweaters 2007