The sculpture depicts a young woman knitting, while waiting for her husband to return from sea. The tradition of knitting ganseys is particularly strong in this part of the Yorkshire coast, especially Flamborough village, with designs passed down through generations of local fishing families. A gansey is hard wearing fisherman's jumper, similar to Guernseys and Jerseys made in the Channel Islands.
Inscribed on the fish round the plinth of the statue are the names of families that have fished off the coast or have been involved with harbour industries.