20 Checkered Pattern – All the Best Types of Checks
The checkered pattern has vertical and horizontal lines that cross each other to form shapes, usually resembling a box or a square. Various types of checks exist, and you have to look closely before you can differentiate them. Checkered pattern fabrics are great for all seasons, morning and evening, and suit plenty of styles and trends. This article will go through the check pattern types and how to mix and match them.
What is a Checkered Pattern
A checkered pattern is made of squares in two or more different colors that alternate, like a chessboard. It looks like a grid with one color next to another in a repeating order. A simple example is black and white squares.
The Different Types of Checks
Checks can add style to bedsheets, clothes, socks, blankets, ties, and more because the fabric is made of two or more colors. There are many checkered patterns, but let’s talk about some of the most common ones you’ll find in the market or probably what you already have in your closet.
1. Argyle Checkered Pattern
Most commonly seen in socks and sweaters, argyle is a check pattern that creates diamond shapes that make them appear very elegant. That is why they give out a formal vibe.
2. Buffalo Check
Like the gingham checkered pattern, buffalo has two tones and resembles the chess board because one of the colors is black and the squares are large. You typically see this design in casual shirts and home furnishing. Some tailors also use buffalo-patterned fabrics in suits for formal and business affairs.
3. Checkerboard
As one of the types of checks that will never go out of style, the checkerboard comes with equally sized squares. It has two squares of different colors, such as black and white, gray and blue, and black and red, placed alternately to create a design that looks like a chessboard.
4. Dupplin Checks
The dupplin checkered pattern combines two checks: the windowpane and another type of simple check, usually the houndstooth. As such, they appear like checks within checks. It’s a kind of check pattern that has a straightforward and casual style.
5. Gingham
As one of the most iconic and common check patterns, gingham comes in two colors, with white being one of them. You usually see it in aprons, tablecloths, and napkins. When used in clothes, they are perfect for casual and formal wear.
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6. Glen Check
Also known as the Prince of Wales types of checks, this style has irregularly sized, randomly distributed squares with alternate light and dark stripes. It is common in officewear and suit fabrics.
7. Graph Check
When you look at this check pattern, you’ll be reminded of the graph paper. It has pencil-thin, solid lines of one color, creating single, “unfilled” squares against a white background. The graph check pattern is ideal for formal attires, workwear, and daytime casual outwear.
8. Gun Club Checks
Workwear, casual, t-shirts typically have a gun club check pattern. The double-check variety has alternating lines of two or more dark colors, usually red-brown, black, and pine green, against a light background.
9. Houndstooth
Mostly considered a sub-category of the shepherd’s check. The difference is that the houndstooth has pointed and notched squares with broken, uneven lines, so they look like canine teeth. You’ll find houndstooth patterned black-and-white outfits and accessories mainly suited for the fall season and work.
10. Ichimatsu
Commonly used in kimonos, two squares with different colors are alternately placed to create a checkered pattern. You can compare it to the checkerboard pattern, but the squares have designs inside them.
11. Madras Checker Pattern
Another checkered pattern with unevenly shaped and spaced squares, madras also have various vibrant colors intersecting each other. It’s usually found in fabrics to make summer outfits, scarves, blankets, and more. For clothes with madras checks, they’re perfect for casual wear.
12. Mini Checkered Pattern
Mini checker patterns have sizes between gingham and pin that you can usually find on suit fabrics, making them the perfect choice for business meetings, formal events, and regular office attire. That said, you can also find casual wear with the mini checkered pattern type.
13. Pin Check Pattern
As an understated but sophisticated type of check pattern, the pin has tiny squares or stripes with a thickness of approximately one or two yarns. Aptly named, they resemble pins or dots when you look it from afar. This style also generally has two colors: white background and any other color.
14. Shepherd Check Pattern
Shepherd is another kind of checkered pattern that closely resembles the gingham. The difference is that this type is set against a twill-weaving backdrop. Suitable for light outerwear and formal wear, items with this Shepherd checks are usually made from suit and flannel materials.
15. Tattersall
Like windowpane and graph checkered patterns, tattersall has two or more alternating thin lines with dark to light colors that give it a dynamic vibe. You’ll usually see these regularly spaced squares in lightweight fabrics standard for making spring and summer clothes, blankets, and more.
16. Windowpane
The windowpane pattern appears quite similar to the graph, but the squares are a little larger and widely spaced. It has thin, light-colored lines that contrast the background’s color. This two-tone check pattern is common for winter outfits and accessories.
17. Tartan Check
Originating from Scotland, tartan plaid consists of multiple colors and sizes of stripes and checks. Each Scottish clan has its own unique tartan pattern.
18. Vichy Check
Named after the French town of Vichy, this check pattern resembles gingham but often features softer colors. It’s known for its rustic charm and is commonly used in kitchen linens, curtains, and casual apparel.
19. Puppytooth Check
This check pattern is similar to houndstooth but smaller in scale. Puppytooth is a miniature version of the houndstooth pattern. It’s often found in fine clothing fabrics and is suitable for casual and formal wear.
20. Wavy Check
This check pattern has been distorted along the horizontal and vertical lines. It has a retro and psychedelic feel.
Mixing and Matching Checkered Patterns
To make the most out of your checkered fabric-made items, you must learn how to mix and match them, whether that may be your outfit or inside your home.
You can find many wearable items made of checkered fabrics, such as:
- Clothes: T-shirts, sweaters, coats, jackets, blazers, skirts, shorts, and pants
- Accessories: Hats, bandanas, headbands, turbans, ties, scarves, socks, shawls, handkerchiefs, and shoes
Since fabrics with check patterns come with one or more colors, they’re quite challenging to mix and match if you have no idea what you’re doing.
The checkered item you choose should have one color that complements or matches the color of the plain-colored item. Meaning that if you wear something blue, make sure your checkered item also has a blue color.
Additionally, if you wear clothes in layers, like during winter, always reserve your clothes with the boldest types of checks as the last layer, such as your coat. Another option is to accessorize with bolder checks and wear clothes with smaller or muted checks.
Conclusion
Fabrics with prints such as checks will add great style and appeal to your outfit and home interior design because they’re already made of multiple colors. You can easily recognize a checkered pattern because checks are squares of two or more colors distributed along the fabric.
You can differentiate the multiple types of checks based on the square size, how thick and thin their lines are, and how they intersect each other. Some checks also mimic familiar items, such as windowpanes and checkerboards.
Author - Luisa Clare
Luisa Clare is the founder of Treasurie, a sewing and crochet education platform offering step-by-step tutorials and printable patterns. With over 15 years of experience in dressmaking, pattern design, crochet, and craft education, she specialises in teaching beginners through clear, easy-to-follow lessons. Her tutorials and patterns are used by home sewists and crocheters worldwide to build practical skills and confidence. Learn more about Luisa and Treasurie.
