Checks + Stripes Dishtowels
Pattern mixing is a famously tricky endeavor… Who wants a dustup between their paisleys and plaids, their houndstooth and herringbone? With our Checks + Stripes Dishtowels you can knit with confidence that your mingling motifs will hit it off!
These towels use two variations of the Swedish Weave stitch pattern, a simple colorwork technique that’s much easier than it looks!
By moving a contrast color from the front to the back of the work right before you knit or purl, you weave in the striking checks and stripes that transform simple stockinette into charming towels. The two strands of yarn create a thick, squishy texture, equally satisfying to create and to use!
With its unmercerized finish, our gorgeous Tulip Cotton makes the Checks + Stripes Dishtowels both soft and absorbent. Ready to dry dishes, wipe tiny faces, or clean up spills. And when you’re done, throw them in the washer and dryer for another round!
This 100% organically grown cotton comes in thirty solid hues that are perfect for a little color play. You only need one skein of your main color for each dishtowel you’d like to make, and a contrast color skein can make up to four!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Gianna Mueller. Click here to see even more of Gianna’s designs!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoChecksAndStripesDishtowels, and #PurlSohoTulipCotton. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- Main Color (MC): 1 skein of Purl Soho’s Tulip Cotton, 100% organically grown cotton. Each skein is 131 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 131 yards required. We used Heirloom White.
- Contrast Color (CC): 1 skein of Tulip Cotton; approximately 32 yards required. We used Yellow Marigold, Amber Honey, Icecap Blue, and Blue Talc.
- US 7 (4.5 mm) straight or 20- or 24-inch circular needles
- If using straight needles: Two US 7 double pointed needles, for I-cord
NOTE: This is enough yarn for one dishtowel, but there is enough CC left over for three more! Be sure to pick up an additional MC skein for each one.
GAUGE
20 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern, unblocked
SIZE
Finished Dimensions: Approximately 10 inches wide x 16 inches long
NOTE: Our samples are an inch wider and an inch longer than the pattern’s final measurements. We altered the pattern a little bit to make sure you’d only need one skein of the Main Color! To be extra sure you won’t need more than one skein, make sure you’re getting gauge and don’t cut your swatch yarn so you can reuse it.
NOTES
STITCH MULTIPLES
These patterns work over an odd number of stitches.
STITCH PATTERNS
NOTE: For these stitch patterns, the Contrast Color (CC) is never worked, only passed back and forth between the needles while knitting with the Main Color. We recommend keeping CC strand loose for best results.
Checked Weave
Row 1 (right side): With Main Color (MC), k1, *holding tail of Contrast Color (CC) at back of work, bring CC between needles to front of work and k1 with MC, bring CC between needles to back of work and k1 with MC, repeat from * to last stitch, keeping CC in back, k1 with MC.
Row 2 (wrong side): P2 with MC, *bring CC between needles to back of work and p1 with MC, bring CC between needles to front of work and p1 with MC, repeat from * to last stitch, keeping CC strand front, p1 with MC.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for stitch pattern, omitting the step to hold the CC tail at back of work.
Striped Weave
Row 1 (right side): With Main Color (MC), k1, *holding tail of Contrast Color (CC) at back of work, bring CC between needles to front of work and k1 with MC, bring CC between needles to back of work and k1 with MC, repeat from * to last stitch, keeping CC in back, k1 with MC.
Row 2 (wrong side): P1 with MC, *bring CC between needles to back of work and p1 with MC, bring CC between needles to front of work, p1 with MC, repeat from * to end of row.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for stitch pattern, omitting the step to hold the CC tail at back of work.
Pattern
With Main Color (MC), cast on 49 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Set-Up Row (wrong side): Purl to end of row.
Work Checked Weave or Striped Weave pattern (see Stitch Patterns) until piece measures 16 inches from cast-on edge, or if using Tulip Cotton, until you have approximately 5 yards left, ending with Row 2.
Cut Contrast Color (CC).
With right side facing you and with MC, bind off knitwise to last 2 stitches, k2, leaving 3 stitches on right needle.
MAKE I-CORD
With remaining 3 stitches and switching to double pointed needles if necessary, work an I-Cord for 3 inches, working last row as follows…
Bind-Off Row: K1, k2tog, pass first stitch over second stitch and off right needle.
Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail and pull through remaining stitch.
Thread tail onto a tapestry needle. Make a loop with I-cord and weave tail into fabric at base of I-cord, then weave it through looped I-cord, and back into fabric.
Weave in the ends and wet block or machine wash and dry!
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
Is there a video showing how this pattern is created. I am a much better visual learner.
Thank you.
Hi Maureen,
Thanks for reaching out! We don’t currently have a video tutorial demonstrating this stitch pattern, but I’ll be sure to pass along your interest in seeing a tutorial to our design team! In the meantime, I would recommend searching “Swedish weave knitting” in your favorite search engine for more tips and tricks on this stitch.
I hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any questions.
All the best,
Carly
Desperatly needing a video I cant figure out how to hold the yarn
Could you substitute Cotton Pure for the Tulip Cotton?
Hi Mommo!
Thank you for your question! Since Cotton Pure is a fingering weight yarn, it would not work well as a substitute for worsted weight Tulip Cotton. However, we have many fun patterns for dish towels in Cotton Pure, including the Farmhouse Dishtowels, the Slip Stitch Dishtowels, and the Colorfield Hand Towels.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
For those of us who are beginning knitters, it would be helpful for your photoe of your lovely work to have more contrast. The Checked Weave colors are so close in hue that I cannot see the pattern. I have noticed this in other patterns you have offered as well. Thank you!
Hi Kerry,
Thank you for leaving your comment. We are very sorry that our photos are difficult to see, as we want to make sure our patterns and products are clear! I will be sure to mention this to our team, and in the meantime, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] so we can find some higher contrast photos for you!
All the best,
Margaret
This is so sweet and I love the worsted weight of Tulip Cotton! Would you be able to recommend a neutral (grey/taupe) pairing to go with the heirloom white? I would like a little contrast but still staying neutral. Thanks so much!!!
Hi Megan!
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! For a gray or taupe color to pair with Heirloom White, I would suggest using Gray Frost or Tin Gray. If you are interested in other neutrals and earth tones, Sesame Seed and Caper Green would be great options as well!
I hope this helps, and happy knitting!
All the best,
Margaret
LOVE, love, love! Any chance of a video demonstrating the recommended “trick” for holding the trailing yarn? It’s a tedious process for each. and. every. stitch.
Thank you for always inspiring!
Ann
Hi Ann,
Thanks for reaching out! We don’t currently have a video demonstrating Swedish Weave, but I’ve let our design team know that there is an interest in seeing a tutorial! I was also able to find some very helpful tutorials by searching for “Swedish Weave Knitting” in my search engine.
Please let us know if you have any questions!
All the best,
Carly
Hi Carly, I thought the same thing about the check & stripped pattern being the same… until I noticed that on the purl row, one pattern begins with p1 and the other, p2.
I’m trying to switch patterns half way through and am finding the switch challenging.
Forgive me, but the two pattern directions listed here appear to be identical. What am I missing???
Thank you.
Hi Ann,
Thanks for reaching out. The difference between the two patterns is on Row 2! In the Checked Weave stitch pattern, you purl 2 stitches at the beginning of the row, whereas in the Striped Weave stitch pattern, you purl 1 stitch. This detail is crucial, since it offsets where the woven contrast color falls. Hope this helps clear things up!
All the best,
Lili
I love that this a the product of a new design without it requiring a any new fancy stitches, just some creative thinking. Beautiful when the burnt orange and off white stripes.
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks so much for your question! The stitch used in the Checks + Striped Dishtowels is called “Swedish Weave Knitting” and is constructed by only knitting in your MC and using the CC to pass between the MC stitches.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Carly
Thanks Margaret for your response.
First row 2 of checked dish towel: is pattern in correct?
I’ve knitted that four times now and I end with yarn at back, not front before last purl 1.
Help plz
Hello,
Thanks for reaching out! For row 2, the last repeat from * to * should end with your yarn in front and a purl 1 in MC, then from here you will keep your yarn in front to purl that last stitch in MC. If you find that you are still ending with your yarn in back, it might be helpful to count how many stitches you have on your needles. There should be 49 stitches on your needles, or an odd number of stitches if you are modifying the width.
I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions.
All the best,
Carly
I cannot believe I knit this and ripped it out twice since I had it right to begin with!! I simply was reading it incorrectly. Thank you!
Is there a tutorial for this pattern? Must it be knit Continental style – a little confused knitting English style as it is awkward passing the CC back and front…..thanks
Hi Ginny,
Thank you for your question! While we currently do not have a tutorial for this pattern, we suggest typing “Swedish Weave Knitting” into your favorite search engine to see this technique in action (in both Continental and English style, too!). This technique does involve weaving the contrasting color through the main color stitches, but we find once you get into a rhythm, it is actually quite fun!
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
In the instructions it says you purl 2 for checked weave but in your answer to Ann’s email you said P 1. Can you clarify?
Thanks,
Lori
Hi Lori!
Thank you for your question. Purling 2 at the beginning of Row 2 offsets the checkerboard design, whereas purling 1 at the beginning of Row 2 for the Striped Weave design is what creates the stripes, so depending on which weave you are making, you will either purl 1 (stripes) or purl 2 (checks) at the beginning of Row 2!
All the best,
Margaret
What is the weight of this yarn, worsted?
Hi T,
Thanks for reaching out. Yes, Tulip Cotton is worsted weight!
All the best,
Lili
Thanks!
For anyone who’s having trouble managing both yarns, I recommend knitting in continental style with the MC yarn in your left hand, and holding the CC strand in your right! This makes moving the CC much easier/faster. I like this tutorial for continental knitting: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=852OwkobTPc
I had a little trouble finding a tutorial for this stitch of Swedish weave but this video was helpful—the weave technique starts at around 3:30: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ovHaxpJZu2g
The knitter in the Swedish weave video shows how they anchor their CC yarn for the first stitch, which I found to be optional because I’m impatient haha, but could still be helpful.
Thanks for the videos! Most helpful.
I noticed one difference between the patterns and the videos that still needs clarifying. What do you do with the CC yarn at the end of each row? The video clearly shows the CC yarn being wrapped around the outside of the work and becomes part of the border. Whereas the photo of both the checked stripes patterns does NOT include the CC in the borders.
This is an area of the pattern that needs re-writing!
Hi Karen,
Thanks for writing in, and I’m happy to clarify! Since the videos that Rebecca posted in her comment are not associated with this pattern, they might do things a little bit differently than we do. Here’s how we deal with the CC yarn at the ends of the rows in our pattern though:
At the end of each Row 1, the pattern instructs you to keep the CC on the back of the work as you knit the final stitch with the MC. Then, at the beginning of Row 2, you purl the first stitch with the MC, and then move the CC between the needles to the other side of the work. A similar thing occurs at the other edge, and this way, the CC stays in the central portion of the dishtowel and does not become part of the border!
I hope this helps clear things up, but please let me know if you have any other questions.
All the best,
Lili
I am wondering what would be result of just knitting with main color and then just to make horizontal lines with complimentary color and needle? I definintly want to try, will show you the result, but really thank you for the idea.
Hi Natalia,
You can totally make this design that way as well! Let us know how it goes!
All the best,
Lili
I hate to say this because I love almost everything about your website, but this is the most poorly written instructions I have come across in a very long time. I am not a novice knitter; I am sorry but you need to do better.
Hi Lucy,
Thank you for reaching out, and I’m so sorry to hear that you’re having trouble with our Checks + Stripes Dishtowels pattern! Knitting should be a fun and relaxing experience, not a frustrating one, so we’re happy to help out with whatever’s causing the difficulties. Would you be able to let us know what aspects of our instructions in the pattern are difficult to follow? We can help troubleshoot from there, and we’ll also review the pattern itself to make sure that it’s written as clearly as possible.
Going forward, I also wanted to let you know about all the avenues in which we offer pattern support! If you have any feedback about any of our patterns, you can send us an email or even sign up for a free 1-On-1 Project Help session, where a team member would be happy to chat or demonstrate techniques in real time for you over video!
I’ll keep an eye out for your reply, and then I’ll be able to attend to any specific questions, comments, or suggestions you have for the Checks + Stripes Dishtowels! Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts. We really appreciate your feedback and take it very much to heart!
All the best,
Lili
Hello,
These look super fun! Could the striped weave also work for a wool throw, or would the ease of a wool yarn cause the contrast yarn to be at risk of pulling?
Thanks so much! Love this site!
Hi Jodi,
Thanks for reaching out. You could absolutely use these stitch patterns for a throw! Since the yarn is only woven over one stitch at a time, there will not be enough length for it to get pulled. Furthermore, wool is actually very “sticky,” compared to cotton, so the fibers will naturally adhere to one another somewhat, also preventing pulling. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
I have to say I found this project very challenging and sad to say I didn’t really care for it. I had a lot of problems keeping the tension of the contrast color pretty much perfect. I would say I am a very competent knitter and I had to rip each towel out numerous times while in the process of knitting. I loved the pattern when I saw it and keep thinking while knitting if it was me, which I am sure I did have a part of the problem. I am thinking if there could be a different way of writing the pattern or some way to remedy this as I see other people had issues also.
Hi Hope,
We’re so sorry to hear that you didn’t have a great time knitting this pattern! Knitting should be a fun and relaxing experience, not a frustrating one, so we’re happy to help out with whatever’s causing the difficulties. Would you be able to let us know what instructions in the pattern you thought could be written differently? We can help troubleshoot from there, and we’ll also review the pattern itself to make sure that it’s written as clearly as possible.
Going forward, I also wanted to let you know about all the avenues in which we offer pattern support! If you have any feedback about any of our patterns, you can send us an email at [email protected] or even sign up for a free 1-On-1 Project Help session, where a team member would be happy to chat or demonstrate techniques in real time for you over video!
I’ll keep an eye out for your reply, and then I’ll be able to attend to any specific questions, comments, or suggestions you have for the Checks + Stripes Dishtowels! Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts. We really appreciate your feedback and take it very much to heart!
All the best,
Lili
I love the stitch & pattern. What would you think of a blanket and what yarn would you use if you think it would work?
Thank you ~ Amy
Hi Amy,
Thanks for your question! This is such a fabulous idea! I think this stitch pattern would look super cool as a blanket. The yarn used in the pattern, Tulip Cotton, is a worsted weight, so you could substitute any other worsted weight yarns for your blanket. Here’s our collection of worsted weight yarn if you’d like to take a look! You could also definitely use a thicker or thinner yarn if you’d prefer. The main thing to make sure of is that you’re casting on an odd number since this stitch pattern is worked over an odd number of stitches.
I recommend deciding on the dimensions for your blanket and making a swatch with your preferred yarn to find out how many stitches per inch you’re getting. Then, you would multiply that by the width of your blanket and round to the nearest odd number for your cast-on number of stitches. After that, you’re all set to knit the pattern as written!
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
How exactly do you start the project? I don’t see instructions for casting on.
Thanks
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for writing in! You can find the cast-on and set-up row instructions under the Pattern section towards the middle of the page. You start the project by casting on 49 stitches in the main color (MC). Then, you do the set-up row (“Set-Up Row (wrong side): Purl to end of row.”) and then just follow the Checked Weave or Striped Weave stitch pattern located under the Stitch Pattern section further up on the page!
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
Hi,
I do not understand how the stripes are meant to work. If the CC is at the back at the end of row 1, it is at the front when the work is turned and between stitches 1&2. When the CC is then moved to the back isn’t it just undoing the weave? I’m clearly missing something about how it is anchored when turned but I’ve read this a million times, read all the other comments, and I’m lost. Help?
Hi Mia,
Thanks for writing in! As you are moving the contrast color to the front and back, you will always be sort of ‘locking’ it in with a knit or purl stitch. So when you are moving the yarn to the back on the last stitch of row 1, the strand is locked in on that row when you knit the last stitch. You will then turn your work for row 2 and complete the purl 1, and then move your work to the back because it is sitting in the front now from the end of row 1. I hope this helps but please let me know if you need further assistance. We want to make sure you are able to complete your project with full understanding of the stitch pattern!
Warmly,
Gavriella
Is this yarn now available only in black and white?
Hi Eve,
Thank you for reaching out! That is correct that we currently only sell black and white in Tulip. While we loved this yarn, not everybody else felt the same way, so we’ve had to make the sad decision to stop producing it. We hope you can understand! Morning would make a wonderful alternative with a wider selection of colors and could be a great replacement for this pattern and others that use Tulip! Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Is there a replacement for Tulip Cotton as you no longer have any color other than black?
Thanks!
Hi Kim,
Thank you for writing in! Morning or Campo would both make great alternatives to use in this pattern but you can see our full range of cotton yarns here in case you are interested in holding any of them double or triple! I hope this helps but please let me know if you have any other questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella