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Le Tricoteur Guernsey Sweater Pop-Up Shop

When we first started Labour and Wait, the traditional Guernsey sweater was one of the 'must haves' for the shop. The Guernsey sweater represents in one garment all the aspects of what we think makes a great product - it's traditional, with roots stretching back hundreds of years; it's hardwearing- being able to battle rain or storm; it's practical- constructed symmetrically, it can be worn either way around; and it's timeless- a wardrobe staple with modest flourish, not to dominate just compliment.

The Guernsey sweater has been a British Isles wardrobe staple for hundreds of years, first documented on the island of Guernsey in the 16th century. The ‘Guernsey’ was originally knitted by the wives and mothers of fishermen and farmers to stave off bracing winds and rain. Later the use of worsted wool from the 1600s onwards meant that Guernseys were extra durable and weather resistant, springing back into shape after washing or a good soaking in a storm. These sweaters protect the wearer from the very worst the elements could throw at them and are still produced with that same intent today.

Records from the Tudor era show a thriving trade in the export of luxury knits many made from worsted wool for a finer yet stronger knit – a tradition that continues in Guernsey today. The version we sell by Le Tricoteur has been in production for over 60 years, based on the same enduring properties first established hundreds of years ago, with many of the processes remaining by hand…

At one point almost half of Guernsey’s population worked as knitters. Their work was of such a high standard that Mary Queen of Scots wore white Guernsey stockings at her execution and it’s reputed that Elizabeth I was also occasionally clad in Guernsey wool!

With industrialisation, the island’s knitters turned their hands to creating warm woollen jumpers for their seafaring folk using a technique much like the one used to make their famous stockings. Reversible and durable, these weather-resistant knits piqued the interest of Lord Nelson, and in 1804 he recommended them as naval wear.
Many of the techniques used to make a Guernsey remain the same today. All the sweaters we carry are hand finished, meaning the body and sleeves are woven before being passing through a team of trained knitters. The Guernsey ‘parts' are sent around the island to the knitters, who hand finish each garment in their home. A true cottage industry that continues on Guernsey.
The knitters individually knit the featured shoulder seams and necks; varying their stitches according to the size and bringing that personal stitched piece of mastery to every garment – just as they would have done many generations before. The finishing is so personal that the factory knows exactly which knitter has finished what sweater! It’s comparable to handwriting. Each sweater is also labelled with who hand finished them, which you’ll find on the finished garment.

To celebrate this perfect sweater, we are hosting a pop-up shop by the Guernsey sweater manufacturer, who we have worked with for many many years, Le Tricoteur.

From Thursday 31st October until the end of 2024, we will be offering a widely extended range of colours and stripes in our Shoreditch and Marylebone shops from Le Tricoteur. Also available online.

What's more, you can get a sneak preview of all the colours on the evening of Wednesday 30th October, when we'll also host a talk with the owner of Le Tricoteur, with drinks and nibbles. If you would like to attend, please visit the following link for free tickets: Click here.

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