Dear reader, it will be a short post today. It grieves me very deeply, very deeply indeed, to report that Gordon passed away on the evening of 1 December. Although the chemotherapy went well, he was in such a weakened state that when he developed an infection on the afternoon of the 1st, it led to sepsis and general organ failure. They did their best to resuscitate. He was confident that he would come through the treatment and be able to write the blog for many years to come.
As you can see from the photo above, he did not make any progress in the past week. He was feeling very poorly and didn’t have the energy to do anything.
Coo
I plan to finish the ganseys he started, as they were to be gifts. But although I can match his knitting skills (I taught him, after all, and helped him through many a wrong or dropped stitch), I know that I will never be able to match his wit, erudition and humour. He worked very hard crafting the blog, and was far better with words than I will ever be.
Splash! at the North Baths
I know the blog will lose readers, but I plan to continue at least for a while, and hope to keep the information pages available. It will be difficult at first. And I also hope to continue his planned projects – he has a huge stash of gansey yarn, it must be knit up!
And thanks to you for your good wishes, and visiting the blog loyally over the past thirteen or so years it’s been in existence. It wouldn’t be here without you.
Patterns in the foam
Margaret
Support Gansey Nation!
(Please use this button for donations – let me know if it doesn’t work. Due to the age of the site, the current theme won’t let me remove the other button from the sidebar. Thank you!)
I am so very sorry to hear this. Gordon has provided me with years of inspiration and entertainment through his blogs, his books and his knitting. I enjoyed pre-reading his books to give informal feedback– he was always gentle with his correction of my corrections (American English spellings and grammar vs British English) and had an amazing skill for poetic imagery in his fiction.
I will continue reading your/his blog, Margaret, both because you are a talented knitter and photographer in your own right and because I know you want to continue Gordon’s legacy. Be good to yourself, through your grief. My sincerest condolences.
Oh Margaret, I’m so sorry.
I’ve not posted a comment before, though I’ve been reading for a while. I’ve much appreciated seeing the growth of each gansey, with all the useful information and background, alongside the snapshots of life and Gordon’s thoughts.
I have the wool and needles to make a gansey, though it’s still in the planning stage, and Gordon’s notes and advice are one of the places I go to for information. On the feedreader I use I’ve bookmarked various of his posts where there was particularly helpful notes for the planning stages of his ganseys.
Thank you for taking the time to let us know today – at the usual time when a post arrives; it can’t have been an easy thing for you to write.
My best wishes to you,
Helen
My sympathy for your loss, Margaret. May he rest in peace.
I am very sad indeed to hear of Gordon’s passing. I have enjoyed his blog for several years, always looking forward to the notification. Much humour as well as stunning knitting skills.
This site is one of the very best there is.
I will continue to read and refer to it for inspiration and valuable resources.
Many condolences to you at this very difficult time. Best wishes
Commiserations, Margaret. What a terrible shock to bear. He will be missed very much. Thinking of you and what you have to undertake without Gordon,
Penny
Such a dreadful shock! I have enjoyed his blog so much over the years. His wisdom and humour were always something to look forward to weekly.
Take care of yourself, Margaret. He left a wonderful legacy.
Lois
Oh I am so, so sorry to hear this. I have enjoyed his creations and humor over the blog for years and was looking forward to many to come. I am sorry for your loss too.
I am so sorry and extend my deepest condolences on the loss of a truly brilliant writer. Gordon’s words illuminated the digital realm, leaving a lasting impact and inspiring me to complete my first-ever gansey. I was thinking of him just this weekend as I started to weave in the ends before blocking my gansey. Although we never met in person, I want you to know how I will feel his loss and I wish you strength and solace during this time. I look forward to your posts, and you have definitely kept a reader; I am not headed anywhere else!
Joining the others to send deepest sympathy. You and Gordon have been a true inspiration and such a joy for those of us who are part of the Cordova Gansey Project. Holding you in my heart and prayers as you navigate the days and weeks to come. Suzy in Nebraska, USA
My heartfelt condolences.i will miss his joyful outlook on life,his beautiful humour.which brought a smile every time.many people will feel this loss deeply
I will look forward to your blogging when you feel able..sending..much love meg
I’m very sad that we have lost Gordon. I looked forward each week to his gentle wit and inspiring knitting, and to your excellent photographs.
Thank you for keeping up the blog.
Did Gordon have a favourite charity to which donations might be made?
My deepest condolences. I have enjoyed Gordons’ blog for years, for the lovely knitting and the beautiful wit. I’ll continue to be here.
Oh,such sad news. His wide-ranging writing has enriched my reading, and I loved his way with words and sense of humour.
You have all my sympathies as you come to grips with your loss.
I look forward to continuing to follow the blog, enjoy the photographs and marvel at the skill of creating the wonderful ganseys as soon as you feel able to start posting.
I’m so very sorry for your loss, Margaret. I found Gordon’s blog posts very entertaining and I always consult his gansey instructions every time I knit one. I even copied his Wick Leaf Gansey for my husband. It’s wonderful that you will continue his knitting for him. May he rest in peace.
Evelyn
Oh Margaret, I am so very sorry to learn of Gordon’s passing. Mondays were always better after reading his post illustrated by your photographs. His wit and erudition were a delight and I loved how he connected his deep knowledge of regular people’s history to the ganseys he knit.
I’ll keep your site a must-visit.
I am so very, very sorry for your loss. Such a shock.
Gordon brought delight to so many of us; his blog was a source of joy and inspiration that I looked forward to reading – he just had such a way with words, I always enjoyed the whimsical scenarios he conjured up as well as his witty commentary on all things from weather to knitting! He was also so generous with his experience and I always loved seeing his projects develop on here.
I am so sorry to hear of Gordon’s passing Margaret. I am a relatively new follower but Gordon inspired me to start knitting ganseys and I looked forward to seeing his progress each week and enjoying his gentle wit.
I am so sorry for your loss, Margaret. Gordon was an inspiration both as a knitter and a writer. I’m so glad he had such an excellent knitting teacher.
The blog is on my reader list and will stay on it. (I need to go back and read the early posts.) I love your photographs! Even with all the reported mud in Caithness, it is clearly beautiful country.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I felt I had found someone I one day hoped to meet. I used to read his posts to my late father. Dad, whose family came from Caithness, enjoyed the wit – and the comments on Caithness weather. Fois Dhe fha anam.
Oh I’m so sorry to hear that. I have so enjoyed Gordon’s blog and we corresponded from time to time.
My sincere sympathy, Margaret. With your help Gordon learned to knit and then shared so generously with all of us.
You will knit love and memories into each stitch. We will be here when you are ready.
Julie
Oh, Margaret, my sincerest condolences to you and all who followed his blog and used his genius advice. I feel so privileged to have been one of his readers for so many years. Hugs and prayers for you as you move through the many stages of grief.
I am so, so sorry to read this. Although I am what is called a lurker on this blog, I have always enjoyed reading it, both for Gordon’s wit and knitting talent. I want to wish you lots of strength for what must be a very difficult time.
Thank you for letting us know, Margaret, this must have been so difficult for you to write this for us. Thank you also so much for your continuing here, we are your, fans, too. Now for tears.
Gordon’s wit and generosity inspired me as well as entertained. I’m so sorry for all of us to lose him, but especially for you. I will continue to read and wish you well as you tackle the remaining ganseys. I’m sure every stitch will include Gordon.
Oh Margaret I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
I was/am one of the quiet readers, the ones who sit on the sidelines enjoying every delicious word and picture Gordon posted. Wondering how many inches he’d managed over the week and what little tidbits of humour would accompany it. He will be missed
These days my knitting is confined to children’s wear – putting much love into jumpers/gansey style at times, for little ones whose families have fallen on hard times down here in Melbourne
Dearest Margaret,
My heart goes out to you. I just heard the news and felt such a loss. I was hoping one day to meet you both, and so grateful for the gansey he knit for us (engineered by you) that I slip on in the shop when I get cold and then wear for days because I don’t want to take it off. I have felt sucha kinship with you both tied with the ganseys that bind us together. I can’t tell you how hard this hit as I have been so busy lately and not paying attention. Please accept my sympathies and a long hard hug from around the globe. His memory will surely be kept alive by all those who appreciated his stories, advice and encouragements.
Much love and with kind regards,
Dotty Widmann
The Net Loft
Cordova, Alaska
I am so sorry for your loss, we will miss his witty words and observations. Gordon encouraged so many to both read more and to knit ganseys. He had the knack of breaking down each step until you felt it doable with his explanations and your lovely photos. It will be an honour to keep reading the blog and his books to keep him alive in our thoughts.
I join all the readers and knitters in sending much love to you. I too will continue to read this blog as long as you are able to write it. Be gentle with yourself. Big hugs from a Nova Scotia knitter. 💞💞💞
I am so sorry for your loss. I think because he wrote in such a self-deprecating and witty manner, I had no idea how ill Gordon really was, This blog has for years been a bright light in the online knitting world for me and helped rekindle my love of gansey knitting. And I will never forget your kindness in providing me help in translating the colors of a fair isle chart. I will remain a reader of course and as I knit a few rounds on my current gansey today, I will think fondly of you both.
Dear Margaret
I am very shocked and saddened to read that Gordon died so unexpectedly. My sincere condolences to you and the family. I never met Gordon but found the blog when attempting my first gansey. I am wearing it now and I would not have been able to finish had he not very kindly found a ball of navy 5 ply which he sent me when I ran out of wool. I wrote to him on the off chance that he might have a ball and was delighted when he said he had one in his stash. I was delighted. I would love the blog to continue but know that you will be very busy and sad for some time so please don’t put pressure on yourself.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Kindest regards
Nicola ( Bielicki)
A grey day just darkened even more. Sincerest and heartfelt condolences to you. Be gentle with yourself. The words of W.H. Auden sum up greatly feelings at this time.
So sorry to hear this, his updates were hilarious. I still haven’t knit a Gansey
Dear Margaret
I am so sorry to hear this very sad news. I have never posted a comment before but I’m sitting here wearing the first gansey I ever made which was inspired by reading this blog. I couldn’t have done it without Gordon’s wonderful instructions. I will miss the weekly injection of wry humour and knitting knowledge that Gordon so generously provided. Like others, I will continue to follow this blog. You should know there are a lot of people out here sending you love and best wishes at this difficult time
Oh no, such very sad news. We have lost a treasure. I feel so lucky to have stumbled across Gordon’s wonderful blog some years ago. Exquisite inspiring knitting and always a chuckle too.
My heart goes out to you Margaret, please take good care of yourself. Like so many others, sending love and very best wishes.
If you feel able to continue sharing your incredible knitting knowledge we will all be very fortunate.
Dear Margaret,
So sorry to hear this news. As you can see from the previous comments, we all share in your sadness. Gordon’s blog was such a joy to read. I have yet to knit a gansey myself, but he has inspired me to try. Just his example that row by row, week by week, keeping at it, you can create wonderful sweaters. The blog was a nice corner of the internet — knitting, stories, wit, lovely photographs, and a community of fellow knitters. I hope that you can keep it going. My sincere condolences on your loss.
Dear Margaret,
I’m so sorry for your loss. His presence must be sorely missed.
I knit my first Gansey with Gordon’s matter of fact instructions. I had been so intimidated by all these “oh so serious “ or way too brief Gansey patterns that I was almost catatonic. Gordon just cut through all of that and made it real and accessible.
Lyle
I am so very, very sorry to read this sad news.
It is hard to think of anything that hasn’t already been said.
Gordon was such an inspiration and I looked forward to the blog each week, invariably with a smile at his way with words and clever wit.
I hope you can gain some comfort from the love and prayers coming to you from all around this wonderful (knitting) world.
Take care of yourself.
Very sad news indeed, I have not known Gordon for a very long time, and mainly was in a working relationship with him, but the time was sufficient for me to realise the great loss.
Hope you find comfort in the care, sympathy and prayers of all the wonderful people surrounding and caring for you!
I too am a silent but passionate and constant reader.
no one imagined such an epilogue.
He will be missed by all of us, but especially by you.
we are all close to you, with thoughts and prayers.
heartfelt condolences.
a lighthouse has disappeared, my ganseys will never be the same without Gordon.
REP
lui from Italy
My deepest sympathies to you, Margaret. This is such sad and unexpected news.
Like many, I have been a silent reader of the blog for many years. I also knit my very first gansey by following Gordon’s excellent instructions and am happy to report that it is still my husband’s favourite sweater. Thank you for continuing with the blog. It continues to be one of the most enjoyable and useful knitting resources out there.
Dear Margaret,
Please accept my sincere condolences. I’ve enjoyed Gordon’s blog for many years. He knit so many lovely Ganseys and wrote such entertaining posts. Sending you all my love, Tamara (from California)
Oh I am so, so sorry to receive your news. I have never commented before – just enjoyed the knitting and the writing. And the inspiration of course!
Please look after yourself. May Gordon rest in peace x
We all knew Gordon wasn’t well, but this is so totally unexpected. And such a shock. I only knew Gordon through this blog and for all the guidance in the Gansey notes. It must be totally devastating for you Margaret. I am so so sorry. Gordon will be remembered by hundreds of us for his lively blogs and wonderful Ganseys. One day lass you’ll think of him and smile, but maybe not yet. We are all thinking of you. Lynne
Was shocked and saddened by the news of Gordon’s passing. Like the others I didn’t realize how sick he really was, although being optimistic is part of the cure. Sending you my heartfelt condolences. I found the blog by accident after reading about Ganseys, and over the past few years thanks to his instructions have managed to knit 2. As you can see he inspired people worldwide with his love of Ganseys and his blog was always the bright part of the week for many people. Thinking of you at this difficult time
Oh Margaret I am so very sorry to read your news. Bless you for all you do and have done. May you have support and love from family and neighboors during this difficult time.
Felicity
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Gordon made the process of knitting Ganseys so easy to understand and enjoyable to do. His enthusiasm lit up the website. I hope knowing how many people he reached will be a comfort to you in such a difficult time.
Dear Margaret,
So sorry! I have wondered how you were. I’m not much of a knitter but had ambition to knit a gansey. Gordon made it seem possible.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I heard about Gordon years ago from Fiona, one of his archivist colleagues from a few years ago. She spoke of his passion for Gansey knitting, and as a knitter myself, I found his blog really interesting and funny. I never had the privilege of meeting him but I see all the comments from others who’s lives he touched.
What a legacy.
I came to the blog this morning to see what progress on the latest gansey and read your post. I am not a frequent reader but chcked in occasionally. What a loss! My condolences to you as you grieve. I really must knit a gansey!
Sorry for your loss from another silent reader and admirer from afar. Much love to you. Am currently researching Gordon’s beloved Gladys Thompson and am very certain she’d be very proud of him and all he achieved in ganseydom and how his work kept her work out there. Gordon brought so many new people into an interest in traditional knitting and wrote with a deft, witty and light touch, I admired so much.
I too am a silent reader and fairly new reader at that! I am so sorry for your loss, and, our collective loss. I have been intrigued with Gordon’s website devoted to Gansey’s, and so much more! Gordon was inspiring with his humorous stories and optimism. Because of his influence I even purchased a cone of Frangipani gansey wool in Falmouth navy to swatch while considering whether to knit a whole Gansey! This website is a treasure house of information and I hope it can remain for future Gansey knitters to discover. Gordon lives on in the hearts of the many knitters he touched. Please accept my deepest condolences.
I am very, very sorry to hear of this. Gordon was an inspiration to so many of us.
Ellen S.
Lafayette, Indiana