Roy Edwards
Artist Roy Edwards is originally from Kuper Island and is a member of the Coast Salish tribe. Roy is a canoe builder, and he also enjoys canoe racing. He built the Makah 1 and the Makah Warrior. Roy and his family now reside in Lady Smith, British Columbia. Cowichan style knitted products are a unique creation of the North West Coast Salish Natives and are a family venture. His wife and sons knit hats, booties, scarves, mittens and sweaters. Roy travels about to market the handmade knitted items his family has created.
Genuine Cowichan knitted products are a unique creation of the North West Coast Salish Natives. Each product has the quality of a work of art, not only in design, but also in craftsmanship. Fleece from breeds of sheep such as Dorset, Hampshire and Suffolk provide the entirely natural colors used in authentic Cowichan products, from a creamy white, through brown, to black. The wool is lightweight and water resistant, producing a garment that is beautiful and functional. Traditionally, the wool was washed, dried, hand teased and hand carded before being spun with a spindle whorl. Today most spinners obtain their carded wool from a local Native mill and spin it into a single strand on an Indian Head spinner. Treated properly, without the aid of chemical detergents, the wool retains its natural lanolin, the oil that gives it strength and integrity and makes the sweater both warm and water resistant. The patterns in Genuine Cowichan products take their inspiration from the abundant and varied wild life on Vancouver Island, from the Eagle, Elk and Killer Whale to the Deer and Bear. Other designs have been passed on through families and some are taken from traditional Salish basketry and weaving motifs. Because each is hand crafted, no two are exactly alike. Although the same motif may be used many times, the individuality of the knitter produces variations in form and color that enhance the unique nature of these remarkable representations of the Northwest Native Culture.
Genuine Cowichan knitted products are a unique creation of the North West Coast Salish Natives. Each product has the quality of a work of art, not only in design, but also in craftsmanship. Fleece from breeds of sheep such as Dorset, Hampshire and Suffolk provide the entirely natural colors used in authentic Cowichan products, from a creamy white, through brown, to black. The wool is lightweight and water resistant, producing a garment that is beautiful and functional. Traditionally, the wool was washed, dried, hand teased and hand carded before being spun with a spindle whorl. Today most spinners obtain their carded wool from a local Native mill and spin it into a single strand on an Indian Head spinner. Treated properly, without the aid of chemical detergents, the wool retains its natural lanolin, the oil that gives it strength and integrity and makes the sweater both warm and water resistant. The patterns in Genuine Cowichan products take their inspiration from the abundant and varied wild life on Vancouver Island, from the Eagle, Elk and Killer Whale to the Deer and Bear. Other designs have been passed on through families and some are taken from traditional Salish basketry and weaving motifs. Because each is hand crafted, no two are exactly alike. Although the same motif may be used many times, the individuality of the knitter produces variations in form and color that enhance the unique nature of these remarkable representations of the Northwest Native Culture.
