1/4 Zipped Guernsey Jumper from Channel Jumper
Now that summer has ended (don't laugh, we did have a summer.....well the rain was warmer), and we enter the time of falling leaves and gusty winds, let’s talk about jumpers, more specifically, Channel Jumper’s 1/4 Zipped Guernsey Jumper.
We apologise for the shock, and potential psychological damage, that may occur at suddenly viewing photos of Damian, but he's the boss!
I first met Jessica, from Channel Jumper, at an outdoor trade show, and amongst her other wares this jumper caught my attention. The first thought that crossed my mind was, “Ooo, that’s smart”, and the second was that it would keep me warm and cosy whilst in the Doon buggy, on those days when a coat would be a bit excessive.
Fast forward a week or so later and one was kindly delivered to Muddy Towers for me to review. Now before I start going all mushy over my new favourite jumper, I better introduce you to Channel Jumper, and explain why their kit is so good.
The company started as a cottage industry back in 1974 and has been registered in Alderney since March 1976.
The intention was to both revive the Alderney sweater which had not been in production for over 50 years, and to establish a knitting industry on the island.
Today the company continues to produce the traditional Guernsey sweater in a variety of styles, as well as a range of contemporary knitwear for both men and women.
After starting its life on sheep grazing the fells and downs of the great British countryside, the wool goes through quite a process; words such as hand graded, scoured, combed and vacuum extraction are thrown around on their website. You can be assured that before your jumper becomes a jumper, its wool has gone through a whole host of vetting, cleaning and twisting procedures to make sure it’s at its best.
The result is that their Guernsey sweaters are knitted with close stitches from tightly twisted wool which gives it the ability to not only withstand sea spray and rain, but you get a strong, long lasting garment that will hold its shape, after wear and washing, time after time.
Wearing the jumper for the first time I was quite surprised by its stiffness and weight - it’s quite weighty! This however confirms the quality, it’s no lightweight, in both meanings. The more it’s worn the less stiff it becomes.
A few months down the line, and so far it hasn’t let me down, no matter what the weather. It has kept me warm whilst out in the Doon Buggy, and dry when I’ve been caught out in the rain. Obviously it isn’t waterproof, but the wool weave does a fine job of resisting the rain, up to a point.
Born in the islands' seafaring communities, the traditional Guernsey sweater has a rich history and a hard-wearing reputation as local fisherman's working garment, hence the diamond under the arm for ease of movement and extra strength.
Some people will spend a fortune on designer labels, only to get rid of them the following season when they’re no longer 'trendy'; the 1/4 Zip Guernsey Jumper isn’t for them. It’s one of those items of clothing that in decades to come you’ll look at it, and marvel at the timeless design and at how well it's lasted.
It’s probably the best £92 that you’ll ever spend on an item of clothing.
Website: www.ChannelJumpers.com
Price: £92.00 incl P&P for UK customers (this includes VAT)
£72.00 excl P&P for customers elsewhere