Pointelle is a

knit Knitting is a method for production of textile fabrics by interlacing yarn loops with loops of the same or other yarns. It is used to create many types of garments. Knitting may be done by hand or by machine. Knitting creates stitches: ...

fabric Textile is an umbrella term that includes various fiber-based materials, including fibers, yarns, filaments, threads, and different types of fabric. At first, the word "textiles" only referred to woven fabrics. However, weaving is no ...

pattern with tiny holes typically in the shape of chevrons; the structure is geometric in shape and with repeated design similar to

lace Lace is a delicate fabric made of yarn or thread in an open weblike pattern, made by machine or by hand. Generally, lace is split into two main categories, needlelace and bobbin lace, although there are other types of lace, such as knitted o ...

. It is a fine knit pattern with small open spaces, subtle stripe, and floral effects. The fabric is lightweight, airy, and of a very delicate nature. Pointelle is possible on warp knitting and

weaving Weaving is a method of textile production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. Other methods are knitting, crocheting, felting, and braiding or plaiting. The longitudinal ...

also.

Etymology, and origin

Origin, 1950s, probably from a point in the sense ‘lace made entirely with a needle’ + the French diminutive suffix -elle.

Fabric construction

Pointelle fabric is an intricate pattern as compared to simple knitting structures like jersey fabric. In pointelle knitting, the

yarn Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibres, used in sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery, ropemaking, and the production of textiles. '' Thread'' is a type of yarn intended for sewing by hand or machine. Modern ...

does not form a complete loop and create a hole. The pointelle knitting requires

jacquard Jacquard may refer to: People * Albert Jacquard (1925–2013), French geneticist and essayist * Joseph Marie Jacquard Joseph Marie Charles ''dit'' (called or nicknamed) Jacquard (; 7 July 1752 – 7 August 1834) was a French weaver and mercha ...

controlled

knitting machine A knitting machine is a device used to create knitting, knitted fabrics in a semi or fully automated fashion. There are numerous types of knitting machines, ranging from simple spool or board templates with no moving parts to highly complex mec ...

s. The jacquard machines equipped with computers, wheels, punching cards, etc., allow the knitter more adjustments of yarn feeding, knitting, and tucking positions. These settings help in producing required motifs and complex design and pattern making. The size of the pointelle holes is adjustable to an extent with needle selection on the machine. The resultant fabric is a lightweight, delicate fabric, stretchable and comfortable to wear. In knitting, the transfer knit is used to create the design. It is possible with the jersey and rib structures.

Uses

It is used predominantly in clothing manufacturing, due to its appearance and fabric characteristics, it is suitable for Men's, kids wear and feminine

dress A dress (also known as a frock or a gown) is a one-piece outer garment that is worn on the torso, hangs down over the legs, and is primarily worn by women or girls. Dresses often consist of a bodice attached to a skirt. Dress shapes, silh ...

es. The fabric is also used for cardigan, tops,

T-shirt A T-shirt (also spelled tee shirt, or tee for short) is a style of fabric shirt named after the T shape of its body and sleeves. Traditionally, it has short sleeves and a round neckline, known as a '' crew neck'', which lacks a collar. T-shir ...

pajamas Pajamas (American English) or pyjamas ( Commonwealth English), sometimes colloquially shortened to PJs, jammies, jim-jams, or in South Asia, night suits, are several related types of clothing worn as nightwear or while lounging. Pajamas are ...

, night suits, bags and

lingerie Lingerie (, , ) is a category of primarily women's clothing including undergarments (mainly brassieres), sleepwear, and lightweight robes. The choice of the word is often motivated by an intention to imply that the garments are alluring, fashio ...

References

Knitted fabrics {{Textile-stub