CANADIAN MOOSE DESIGN COWICHAN STYLE

WOOL KNIT CARDIGAN SWEATERS

2010 Olympic Cowichan Sweater
100% Wool Hand knit style with moose design from the Cowichan First Nations tribe of British Columbia.

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For OLYMPIC COWICHAN SWEATER CARDIGAN
In Stock August 2010
This is the sweater about which there has been quite a bit of Olympic controversy. The Cowichan Native band has launched a copyright infringement action against the corporation that produced them.
HOW CANADIAN is THAT!
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ABOUT The AUTHENTIC COWICHAN KNITS

This beautiful, super warm 2010 sweater comes in sizes Adult S, M, L & XL
as well as girls & boys size 10, 12 & 14
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MORE ABOUT The FIRST NATIONS AUTHENTIC COWICHAN KNIT SWEATERS


I have been checking into the Cowichan knitters and after reading all about the issue, I really do think that artistic credit would normally be given to the originators of the process, design and development of this important creative property. These Olympic 2010 sweaters display a very clear use of the Cowichan traditional knitters design themes and formula of geometric bands above and below the various geometric wildlife motif on back, front and sometimes the sleeves. IMO - All of us, as individuals, corporations and world powers, at THIS point in our apparently civilized society, ought to take every single opportunity, large & small, to show our admiration and respect for our first nations people. Asking them and then actually giving them the contract to knit their traditional Cowichan sweaters for our Olympic Celebration would have been a great chance to tell the world about our respect for our First Nation Citizens.
It could have been, what I would like to have thought, a very healing CANADIAN gesture!

Abtracted from From 'Cowichan Sweater Design' on Wikipedia

The Cowichan Band Knitters probably began using Fair Isle patterning in the early1900s, using the contrasting shades and colours of yarn to produce images in geometric patterns. Characteristically they are placed horizontally on the mid-portion of the body of the sweater. If the design in this centre portion is geometric, it is laid out in a broad band and repeated on the sleeves. If the main design is representational, for instance an elk, or deer as in the 2010 sweater, it is usually centered on the back, with the same design on the front of a pullover, or two smaller versions of the same representation on either side of the front on a cardigan. As well, there are traditionally contrasting, geometric motif bands above and below the wildlife motif on front and back, which are also repeated on the sleeves.

Most knitters collect designs, some of which are passed on through families and friends. Some families have proprietary designs, although this is relatively rare. The popularity of Indian-patterned sweaters prompted the Mary Maxim Co. to produce graphed commercial patterns, beginning in the 1940s. Ironically, the knitters soon began to collect and use these charts themselves. They continue to retain favourite designs and to make modifications of them. There are, for example, many variations on the eagle, deer, whale, thunderbird, bear and buffalo images. Knitters will also create custom patterns, often with no traditional associations. Despite the diversity of patterns, however, experienced knitters and dealers can often identify the maker of a sweater through the particular qualities of design and knitting style that form a kind of personal signature.
Conclusion? The Cowichan Copycat cardigan is also a great sweater, and though I would have loved to have had them made by our own people, regardless of who the knitter is and I would love to own one - they last for DECADES!!