Cowichan sweaters originated in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada around the 1880’s and are still being produced today. They are knit by the Coast Salish First Nations using traditional knitting methods and intricate designs that have been passed down from generation to generation.
These sweaters grew out of several factors:
- The decline of Cowichan blanket trade at the end of the 19th century due to competition from European mass produced blankets and the banning of cultural practices such as potlatches where the traditional trading in blankets took place
- Introduction of sheep to Vancouver Island in the 1850’s which provided a plentiful supply of wool
- Sisters of St. Ann established a school for the “Indians” in 1864 and taught the women how to knit
- Jermina Colvin emigrated from Shetland to Cowichan Station in1885 where she raised sheep and hand-spun her own wool. She began to teach knitting in the 1890’s using patterns brought over from Scotland.
The wool used in these sweaters have a high lanolin content which makes them water repellent, stain resistant, able to absorb body moisture and ventilate body heat. These sweaters provide warmth and protection from the damp – perfect for the climate in British Columbia and in many other parts of the world (i.e. New Zealand). Due to their popularity there have been many copies mass produced and sold by major retailers and patterns adapted by wool producers such as Mary Maxim. This has greatly impacted the quality of these sweaters and the economic viability of sweater production in the Coast Salish Nation,
Authentic Cowichan sweaters are now registered trademarks under “Cowichan”, “Cowichan Approved” and “Genuine Cowichan Approved” and guarantee that these sweaters have been hand knit in one piece with raw, unprocessed undyed, hand spun wool using traditional tribal methods by members of the Coast Salish Nation.
The Cowichan sweater shown below shows the authentic trademark and was thought to have been purchased in the 1970’s and worn by a local doctor, probably for warmth and protection from the damp.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1103120837772343 – CBC Gem – Importance of real Cowichan sweaters/The Cowichan Sweater: Our Knitted Legacy
https://knitwithpurpose.com/authenticity/
https://www.cherylstradingpost.com/service/cowichan-sweater-history/
© Karen Ridley November 2024