Definition of Houndstooth

Houndstooth is a type of checked twill fabric. Usually, houndstooth is made of two color threads, but there are variations.

History

Houndstooth originated in woven woolen fabric in Scotland. Traditional houndstooth is made of black and white threads or yarns, but a variation called glen plaid can be made of multiple colors. Glen plaid, also known as Glen Urquhart plaid after a valley in Scotland, was popularized by Edward VIII when he was Prince of Wales and so is also known as Prince of Wales plaid.

Other Names

Houndstooth is also known as houndstooth check or hound's tooth.

How it's Woven

Houndstooth is made from alternating stripes of black and white in both directions made up of four threads each. Each thread is woven over two threads and under two threads of the opposite directions to create the houndstooth pattern.

Uses

Houndstooth is most often used for jackets and coats and occasionally for pants and skirts.

Fun Fact

Bear Bryant, the famous former football coach at the University of Alabama, used to wear a houndstooth hat. It became so closely associated with him and the team that fans began wearing it in his honor.

References

• Fabric Link

Resources

• The Scottish Weaver's Houndstooths