Eriskay knitting

For those old enough to remember The Seekers, you might also remember Judy Durham singing the beautiful Eriskay Love Lilt, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzxdgsSCth4, a traditional song from the islands of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Eriskay is also famous for the unique knitting patterns developed for the fishermen’s ganseys or jumpers. Using simple diamond, chevron and herringbone patterns based on knit and purl combinations, repeating patterns become symbols of Marriage Lines, Tree of Life, Starfish, Heart in the Home and Fishing Nets.  These patterns are knitted into the jumper in a particular format that creates a unique garment. 

As I haven’t been able to find any knitting patterns from the Isle of Mull (the home of my ancestors) but as it forms part of the Inner Hebrides, I decided to use the Eriskay patterns to knit myself a jumper using my homespun wool. I think my g.grandfather, who was a lobster fisherman and a farmer on Mull, would have approved.

Here's another version of the Eriskay Love Lilt by the Corries, with superb photos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Oh4mWtZxXU