What is Pointelle?
I recently added two pointelle vintage tops to our shop, delicate and retro in lovely bright shades of blue. But what's 'pointelle' you might ask…
Pointelle is a word to describe knits with openwork, also known as lace knits. The origin of the word dating back to the 1950s was used to describe lace made entirely from a needle. The result is a delicate feminine fabric with decorative 'holes', used for creating texture. It is often used to create details on otherwise plain knitted garments, was commonly used to create small accessories such a gloves and as was popular during the 1960s and 1970s for creating an all-over textured fabric for a garment.
For example, these two lacework sleeveless vests from the 1960s and 1970s are made using pointelle.
Personally I love a bit of Pointelle, it creates interest on otherwise simple garments, which means you can keep your outfit one colour or tonal without it feeling boring. It's fantastic for cooler summer days because the openwork is cooler than a solid knit.
Do you own a perfectly delightful piece of pointelle knitwear? Can you knit pointelle? Share your photos with us on instagram or leave us a comment, we’d love to see!
- Bella, The Shopkeeper, Rag & Magpie