Classic Style is Always Classic: Schiaparelli’s Bowknot Sweater

I was so excited to discover a little feature in the latest issue of Vogue Knitting about the release of Sciaparelli’s Bowknot sweater pattern for free by Schoolhouse press.  Although this recent pattern has been slightly updated by Lisa Stockebrand, Meg Swansen, and Joyce Williams, this is such a great example of how classic style is always classic.

(photo courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art: Gift of Vera White, 1952)

If you’re not familiar with Elsa Schiaparelli she was an Italian fashion designer who was regarded by many as one of the most prominent figures in fashion between the two World Wars. Her chief rival was Coco Chanel. She launched a her collection of knitwear in 1927 using a special double layered stitch created by Armenian refugees. It’s a neat stranded technique where the accent color is carried through the body fabric, woven in periodically, creating a tweed-like effect in the main color body section of the sweater.

Don’t you just want to knit this?  How about charcoal gray with a pale pink bow? How about a cream sweater with a blue bow? What about a grass green sweater with a khaki bow?  All of the beautiful updates on classic style.