Requesting suggestions for yarn for Irish fisherman's sweater project

[AGRES]

I just came across Galadys Thompson's book of Patterns for Guernseys,
Jerseys and Arans. What modern yarns would you suggest to knit these
patterns in a most authentic manner? That is, what modern commercial yarns
come closest to what would have been used to knit a fisherman's sweater in
Ireland or Scotland 50 or 100 years ago? I really do not have any feel for
the kind of fleece that was used, or how tightly the yarn was spun.

Also, what color? I would have thought only natural sheep retained enough
lanolin for a sweater expected to withstand lots of salt water spray. But,
Thompson says that many of the older sweaters were "indigo." What would be
the modern equivalent?

I do intend to wear the sweater salmon fishing off the North Coast of
California. (Well, at least once anyway.) I wish to test the theory that
the traditional patterns in a fisherman's sweater provided ventilation
between the waterproof layer (oil skins) and the insulation layer (sweater),
allowing condensation to be removed and keeping the fisherman much dryer and
warmer than if he had been wearing a sweater knit entirely in garter or
stockinet stitch.

Thanks in advance for any input.

If I do not get any other suggestions, I will most likely use Bartlett's
Fisherman's Yarn ( http://www.bartlettyarns.com/products.cfm?CATEGORY=FY ).
Do you think this would be an "authentic" style of yarn?

Aaron

[SlinkyToy]

Carraig Donn is a vendor in .ie that sells authentic Aran yarn. Ganseys are
typically knitted with finer yarn than Arans. Wendy 5-ply guernsey yarn
would be appropriate for a true gansey/guernsey, or I'll give you my contact
info for Carraig Donn and you can order direct.

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[Katherine Burgess]

I would use an Aran yarn. You can get varying qualities of it, so you should
speak to the salespeople at the yarn store before you buy. All of that type
of sweater I have knitted have been in an off-white/cream colour, which I
always considered "authentic".
HTH
Katherine

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