The Traditional Knit Project [Part 1- Introduction]

I'm embarking on a little (big) heritage project, and I'd love for you to join me!

Last year, I realised I don't have many "working" sweaters in my wardrobe. Let me elaborate: I only have a few knitted items that I'd wear on a hike in the countryside in mild weather, or on a muddy dog walk. I hadn't knitted anything with the intention of being "used" in a hard-wearing outdoorsy fashion. I didn't have a lot of sweaters I wouldn't mind snagging on a branch or dusting a clump of dried mud off.

Now, of the sweaters I'd currently happily wear out and about on a wintery walk- they all consist of 100% wool. About three of those are 100% coarse Irish wool, and a few of the others are 100% British. Realising this sparked a little lightbulb, and I ever so quickly turned to a book my grandparents gifted me last summer.

"The Traditional Knits from the Scottish and Irish Isles" was editied by Debbie Bliss and released in 1992 in the UK. This book has opened a world of heritage knitting I knew I wanted to venture down at some point, but I was never brave enough to, or I had too many current projects, or I just couldn't find the right pattern.

For my Birthday & Christmas '25, I asked for so many new books to add to my ever-growing collection of knitting heritage. Some point along the way I decided that the traditional knits were the perfect wardrobe fillers. If they're sturdy enough for a day on the sea, or up the farm- they're ideal for my measly little hikes. 

And, so, the Traditional Knit Project begins. I'll be working through a little list of patterns from our rich knitting heritage, trying to be as authentic as possible. I am well aware this project will take my quite a few years to get through (seasoned knitters could knit a gansey in 6-8 weeks, and I'm a quick knitter, but these patterns are written in formats I'm not extremely used to), but I'm up for the challenge!

I've set myself only a very few number of rules:

• I must try and source either the original yarn for the pattern, or the local yarn that knitters would have used traditionally. Bonus if I can source it from small & local mills!
• Wherever possible, I will try and use original patterns. A lot of the books I currently own have included their own versions of traditional patterns, but I'm not sure how authentic they are.

I'm also aware that a lot of these patterns will have been worked with specific equipment and notions, i.e Fair Isle Sweaters are made using a Shetland Belt. Now, as much as I would love to support a local maker and purchase a Shetland Belt for my project: a. they (rightly so) can cost a pretty penny, and I will already be spending a lot of money on yarn, and b. I'm not sure how much it would get used post-project. I could definitely donate once I'm finished, but we're back to problem a. It's something to consider further along down the line. 

Traditionally, such patterns as I will be knitting were also made with DPNs, or wires. I for one have never knitted with DPNs, but I'm very excited to give it a go and try it out. If it gets too much and I'm more comfortable with my circular needles- I will return to home comforts, but at least I have tried!

I'm also want to share my whole experience with my followers. I'll be updating everyone along the way with the history of each design, the pattern and yarn choices, and the process. I really hope you join me on this rather large project, either here or on my socials. I can't wait to get started, so keep an eye out!