not me literally writing about how I cannot talk about fall today and then now finding myself in a Cowichan rabbit whole with multiple new saved searches. oops.
They had a major moment recently, when Ryan Gosling wore a fox version of Mary Maxim’s blood thirsty wolf pattern in Project Hail Mary. Mary Maxim couldn’t keep up with kit orders from knitters.
I have a faux Cowichan by Ralph Lauren - it’s cotton and a pullover and I love it very much. I’ve been wearing it all summer thrown over a breezy dress, which is the perfect vibe for the PNW. There are a couple of authentic vintage Cowichans hanging in the closet of my husband’s family’s house on Orcas Island in the San Juans. They are incredibly beautiful and heavy. Great to throw on for blustery boat trips.
Ok- this round up is sooo good!! I have never heard of Cowichan (maybe bc I grew up at the beach?!😂) but I’m sold!!! Can you tell me if they are itchy?
Subscribing- excited for the next round up, this is really a beautiful article. 👏
It really depends — I would go for one of the more modern vintage ones (Kanata). The wool is a bit more processed and thus less itchy. I wore mine this weekend for low 60s weather comfortably!
I was going to school you on not using "Cowichan" appropriately (I'm from Vancouver Island - I've been through the Cowichan Valley MANY times), but you are amazing and actually looked up the history! Thank you! You are amazing. No one here calls them "Cowichans", FYI.
Most authentic Cowichan sweaters are very HEAVY and THICK- they are actually too hot to wear in our part of Canada, unless it's below zero! Much of what's out there is made by moms and grandmothers and other knitters up until the end of the 80s. I had one that my mom made but it was SO FORKING HOT and itchy(!!) to wear that I quickly donated it.
I am not thinking about sweaters yet, but I do keep a small pile of them out all year round!
You are always welcome to school me, but I'm glad you approve! My traditional geometric one is indeed very warm and usually replaces a winter jacket (but we do spend a lot of winter in Wyoming which is quite cold). My latest one (the whales) is perfect for crisp summer nights.
I couldn't help but think about the mothers/grandmother who knitted the ones I put in the roundup. I think they would be happy to see them live a new life and land in their next (stylish) hands. <3
not me literally writing about how I cannot talk about fall today and then now finding myself in a Cowichan rabbit whole with multiple new saved searches. oops.
I’m sorry but I promise you’ll thank me in a few months!! 🙃
They had a major moment recently, when Ryan Gosling wore a fox version of Mary Maxim’s blood thirsty wolf pattern in Project Hail Mary. Mary Maxim couldn’t keep up with kit orders from knitters.
I watched Hail Mary and must not have been paying close enough attention!
I write about knitting and in that small world it was BIG news.
Love! I also just snagged some heavy corduroy pants on sale…wincing at the thought of trying them on in this weather but excited!
But future fall you will be so pleased!!
Love this!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4545082549/handmade-cowichan-50s-knit-mens-sweater?ref=share_ios_native_control
Sooo fun. I love how unhinged and whimsy some of the patterns are. I saw a great bowling one.
I have a faux Cowichan by Ralph Lauren - it’s cotton and a pullover and I love it very much. I’ve been wearing it all summer thrown over a breezy dress, which is the perfect vibe for the PNW. There are a couple of authentic vintage Cowichans hanging in the closet of my husband’s family’s house on Orcas Island in the San Juans. They are incredibly beautiful and heavy. Great to throw on for blustery boat trips.
Sounds like you have your summer and winter sweater game set 😇
You’re a genius
🥹🫡
Ok- this round up is sooo good!! I have never heard of Cowichan (maybe bc I grew up at the beach?!😂) but I’m sold!!! Can you tell me if they are itchy?
Subscribing- excited for the next round up, this is really a beautiful article. 👏
It really depends — I would go for one of the more modern vintage ones (Kanata). The wool is a bit more processed and thus less itchy. I wore mine this weekend for low 60s weather comfortably!
I’m sold!
Me too, which is always the problem 😅
I was going to school you on not using "Cowichan" appropriately (I'm from Vancouver Island - I've been through the Cowichan Valley MANY times), but you are amazing and actually looked up the history! Thank you! You are amazing. No one here calls them "Cowichans", FYI.
Most authentic Cowichan sweaters are very HEAVY and THICK- they are actually too hot to wear in our part of Canada, unless it's below zero! Much of what's out there is made by moms and grandmothers and other knitters up until the end of the 80s. I had one that my mom made but it was SO FORKING HOT and itchy(!!) to wear that I quickly donated it.
I am not thinking about sweaters yet, but I do keep a small pile of them out all year round!
You are always welcome to school me, but I'm glad you approve! My traditional geometric one is indeed very warm and usually replaces a winter jacket (but we do spend a lot of winter in Wyoming which is quite cold). My latest one (the whales) is perfect for crisp summer nights.
I couldn't help but think about the mothers/grandmother who knitted the ones I put in the roundup. I think they would be happy to see them live a new life and land in their next (stylish) hands. <3
Yes, the ones made with cotton or more processed wools were not as hot as the OG ones!
I think they would be amused to know that their handiwork is “trendy." I recall being very embarrassed by the “ugly” sweaters my mom made me!
Yes, the parka of sweaters.
Exactly!
A few years ago Mary Maxim brought out kits with the vintage patterns and yarn so that you could knit your own sweater.
Do you think these are men's sizing? Great article - subscribing for more!
love the idea of wearing these with a long sleeve tee and shorts during the transitional weather - will be keeping my eye out for one!
I want that whale one so bad. I’m so jealous
The duck one is VERY tempting
I need everything.