Dowsey Heritage Cable Gansey

“I listened to the lapping water against the boat and watched the enormity of the sky and the clouds moving within it and I felt the dancing energy of the pulling water, as it tried to teach me to let go.”

Threads-The Delicate Life of John Craske. Julia Blackburn.

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A modern take on an iconic cable Gansey, Dowsey brings the character of the traditional Norfolk Gansey into a beautifully considered, contemporary jumper.

Expertly crafted by my Italian knitters in Perugia, from 100% British wool, Dowsey is knitted from an exclusive blend of Wensleydale and Teeswater fleeces, with a touch of Shetland wool in the Oatmeal shade to create its naturally beautiful hue. Both Wensleydale and Teeswater are rare native British breeds, prized for their long-stapled fleece, which gives the yarn its distinctive smoothness, strength and subtle lustre.

The wool is worsted spun for a sleek, refined finish and exceptional stitch definition. It has a wonderfully soft feel against the skin, with the smoothness and handle of a fine Merino, but with the character and provenance of a truly British wool.

The heritage cable stitch is taken from the original Norfolk Ganseys worn by Willy Long and “Dowsey” Little in the early 20th century. Their jumpers featured two versions of the traditional coil o’ rope cable – a classic Norfolk Gansey stitch that we’ve reworked here into a modern, nautically inspired design.

The silhouette is deliberately relaxed: boxy but not too long, with a dropped shoulder and an easy drape through the body. Despite the substantial weight of the cable knit, it doesn’t feel bulky. A deep 1×1 rib finishes the cuffs and hem, with the cuffs gently shaped into the wrist to create an elongated, slightly bell-shaped sleeve, while the hem sits clean and straight.

The chunky ribbed crew neck is softly curved and open enough to show a shirt collar or T-shirt underneath, making it an easy layer whether you’re dressing up or keeping things simple.

With over a kilo of wool in each jumper, Dowsey is the most luxurious knit in the Charl British knitwear collection. It is made for cooler days when you want something with a little more presence – a jumper that feels special, but still has that effortless, thrown-on quality.

A real heritage knit, rooted in the working jumpers of the Norfolk coast and reimagined for today.

Very limited quantities available. Pre-order yours now for delivery mid-November.