VisitGuernsey and I Knit London, the yarn shop and community knitting group, have selected five finalists for the final knit-off of the I Knit Guernsey competition.

Jason Moriarty, Director Marketing & Tourism for VisitGuernsey said: “The shortlisted designs show amazing creativity and skill. And we’re very excited about the prospect of seeing the final garments. It’s wonderful to be able to revive the tradition of creating unique family knitting designs on the guernsey sweater in this way. And we hope to raise awareness of Guernsey’s strong history of community knitting dating back to the Tudor knitting industry, at the same time.”

Finalists Rose Polli, Gisela Clasen, Janet Andrews, Jackie Butterfield and Suzanne Strachan are each busy creating their updated guernsey patterned jumpers. Designs will remain confidential until the judging period that will be taking place in the run up to National Knitting Week, commencing October 10, 2011. However we can reveal that inspiration has been taken from a wonderful mixture of nautical symbols, sea creatures, Guernsey’s history and even tattoos!

Winners will be announced during Knitting Week.  Stay tuned for further updates.