Two sweaters in the same color can look completely different once you see the stitch. The texture decides how thick a piece looks, how it drapes and what you can wear under it. Here is how to recognize the four textures that show up most in our cardigans and sweaters.
Rib knit
Rib knit forms vertical lines of raised and flat stitches. It looks like fine corduroy made of yarn. Rib stretches sideways, so ribbed cuffs and hems hug the wrist and hip. When a whole cardigan is ribbed, like our open front rib knit cardigan with front pockets, the lines run from shoulder to hem and make a long layer look longer.
Cable knit
Cables are twisted columns of stitches that look like braids or ropes. They sit on top of the fabric, so a cable sweater looks thicker than a plain one and holds its shape. Diamond cables add an open pattern between the ropes. Our oversized cable knit crew neck sweater shows both, and it reads best over a thin top with no collar competing for attention.
Waffle knit
Waffle knit makes a grid of small raised squares, like the pattern on a waffle. The squares catch light, so solid colors look textured without a print. Waffle is easy to spot in a close photo: look for the checkerboard of tiny pockets across the body. Our waffle knit crew neck cardigan pairs this grid with large buttons, which makes it work over a collared shirt.
Pointelle
Pointelle is a pattern of small, planned holes in the knit. The holes form lines, diamonds or flowers, and they let the color underneath show through. That makes pointelle a good layer for warmer days. Look at the edges too: pointelle styles often finish in scalloped trim, as on our cropped pointelle cardigan with scalloped trim.
How to check the texture before you buy
- Zoom into the main photo. Every product description names the texture it shows.
- Look at the cuffs and hem. A ribbed edge on a plain body is common; a fully ribbed body is not.
- Check what the model wears underneath. Open knits like pointelle show the layer below.
If a texture looks different in person than you expected, you can return or exchange it. Our Refund & Returns page explains how, and our FAQ answers the most common questions.