Vintage Moose Cowichan Sweater Mary Maxim Pattern 552 1950s

This is a vintage Mary Maxim cowichan sweater featuring the “Moose” pattern, number 552.  Mary Maxim was an Ontario, Canada firm that expanded into the United States in 1956.  They were known for their high quality knitting yarns and sweater designs.  The pattern on this sweater is well documented as a Mary Maxim design, although it’s not often seen.  This cowichan sweater sweater is made in a cream white colour, a little to the yellow tone, with the pattern and detailing in dark brown, blue, grey and green.  The sweater does up with a brass metal “Coats & Clark” zipper down the front and has a rounded collar.  It has inset sleeves and a small pocket at either bottom side front.  These types of sweaters are generically called Cowichan sweaters after a British Columbia native tribe called the Salish who live in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island on whose designs they are based.  They are also referred to as curling sweaters in Canada.

Sizing: No size is indicated on this cowichan sweater, and although it should fit a men’s medium size, please rely on the following measurements for fit, comparing to a cowichan sweater or other sweater that you already own, if possible:

Shoulders:  17” across shoulder/sleeve seams

Sleeves: 24 1/2” long from the shoulder seam

Sleeve Inseam: 17” long

Chest: 43” around, taken under the arms

Bottom: 37” around, stretches out to 42”

Overall length: 26”, measured flat at the back from the neck seam

Condition: This cowichan sweater is in very good condition with no pronounced wear, tear, staining or odour.  There is some slight soiling at the back of the neck and maybe some overall slight yellowing of the original colour although this isn’t really perceptible

This is a wonderful vintage Mary Maxim cowichan sweater - complicated intarsia pattern, probably a reason why this particular vintage sweater is rarely seen…..