Our knit series continues with our latest cut & sew knit lesson, Drafting a Cowl Neck for Knits. (Image credit: UniversityofFashion.com)
If you have been putting off working with knits because you think it’s just too hard, well, fear no more. With over 35 lessons in our knit series, we are your one-stop shop for learning how to work with “cut & sew” knit fabric. From understanding knit structure and how to chose the right knit fabric for a particular design, to learning how to draft a set of knit slopers so you’ll be able to design hundreds of different knit garments, to learning the various machines used when sewing knit seams, knit necklines and knit hems, we’ve got you covered.
Before you get started, we recommend that you view our knit fabric lectures, Introduction to Knit Fabrics and Knit Fabric Principles
In our latest lesson, Drafting a Cowl Neckline for Knits, we will demo how to draft a cowl neckline using the knit sloper that you drafted in our lesson, Drafting a Women’s Fitted Stable Knit T-Shirt from Measurements. Taking the desired knit fabric choice into consideration, you will learn how to determine the height of your cowl and then how to draft this type of neckline. The results will inspire many other creative variations.
Front & back view of UoF’s Drafting a Cowl Neckline for Knits lesson (Image credit: UniversityofFashion.com)
Cowl Inspiration
Madelaine Vionnet cowls during the 1920s and 1930s, inspired by Greek & Roman classical dress. (ImageCredit: Pinterest.com)
The cowl neckline has a rich history dating back to ancient Greece, where it was known as the “kredemnon”. Originally made of wool and draped over the head and shoulders, it was worn by both men and women, often paired with a himation (a type of cloak). During the Middle Ages, cowl necks were a common feature of monastic robes with monks and nuns wearing long, flowing robes with cowls that could be pulled up over the head.
French designer Madeleine Vionnet popularized this style in dresses and tops during the 1920s and 1930s with Hollywood stars like Greta Garbo, helping to make cowl necks synonymous with glamour and sophistication.
An example of a contemporary hooded cowl. (Image credit: Pinterest.com)
Today, cowl necks are versatile elements in fashion, appearing in various garments from casual wear to formal attire and even bridal gowns.
