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Jersey (knitted clothing)

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Photo of a brown shirt knit with patterns on it
A traditional knit jersey

Traditionally, a jersey is an item of knitted clothing, generally made of wool or cotton, with sleeves, worn as a pullover, as it does not open at the front, unlike a cardigan. It is usually close-fitting and machine knitted in contrast to a guernsey that is more often hand knit with a thicker yarn. The word is usually used interchangeably with sweater.[1]

Etymology

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The garment's name originates from the British Crown Dependency of Jersey in the English Channel. The island became a large exporter of knitted goods in the Elizabethan era.[2]

Over time, "jersey" came to refer not just to sweaters made on the island, but to the specific style and method of knitting used in their production. This knitting technique was characterized by a close, flat-knit stitch that produced a smooth surface on one side and a slightly rougher one on the reverse.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Kane, C.D.; Patil, U.J.; Sudhakar, P. (1 August 2007). "Studies on the Influence of Knit Structure and Stitch Length on Ring and Compact Yarn Single Jersey Fabric Properties". Textile Research Journal. 77 (8): 572–582. doi:10.1177/0040517507078023. S2CID 138629386.
  2. ^ Ommer, Rosemary Elizabeth (1991). From outpost to outport: a structural analysis of the Jersey-Gaspé cod fishery, 1767-1886. Montreal Kingston, Canada: McGill-Queen's university press. ISBN 978-0-7735-0730-2.
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  • Media related to Jerseys at Wikimedia Commons