Genuine Cowichan Sweater with a deer design. Knit by hand with natural hand spun wool by a Coast Salish Native artisan.
Size Men's Large, Women's XL. Chest 48", arm 29", back 27".
Each Sweater is unique and one of a kind. They are not standard sizes. The stated sizes are generalization. Consider that some sweaters are tapered at the bottom and some aren’t, and also the arm widths vary. The chest size of the sweater should be 3-6" larger than the size of the person wearing it. The back measurement is from the base of the neck to the bottom of the sweater. The arm is measured from the centre of the back-neck to the end of the sleeve.
During pre-contact times blankets were a primary form of currency with a high value attached to them. They were given as payment to witnesses at namings, marriages, funerals, and other important events. Women had a high status in Coast Salish society because they produced the blankets so necessary in their culture. The ‘Puberty’ or ‘Coming of Age’ ceremony for young women was an initiation into woolworking. Men produced intricately carved tools (beaters, combs, spindle whorl, looms) for the women.
During the 19th century, traders brought European mass produced blankets into Coast Salish territory. Gradually the cheaper trade blankets began replacing Salish blankets. Coast Salish women filled the void by taking up knitting needles, spinning machines and sheep’s wool.
