How to Knit Two-Color Houndstooth Pattern

By Sarah E. White

Updated 12/28/17

Houndstooth knitting pattern
Houndstooth worked over 20 stitches (closeup).  Sarah E. White

Houndstooth, also known as houndstooth check, requires two colors of yarn. Traditionally, one is darker than the other and the darker one is used as the background color.

How to Make a Houndstooth Pattern

This pattern works on multiples of 4 stitches. Here, the green yarn is the background color, indicated as A below, while the beige yarn is the lighter color, indicated as B below.

Cast on in A yarn.

  • Row 1: Knit 1 in A, *1 in B, 3 in A. Repeat from * to last 3 stitches, knit 1 in B, 2 in A.
  • Row 2: *Purl 3 in B, 1 in A. Repeat form * across.
  • Row 3: *Knit 3 in B, 1 in A. Repeat from * across.
  • Row 4: Purl 1 in A, *1 in B, 3 in A. Repeat form * to last 3 stitches, purl 1 in B, 2 in A.

Repeat these 4 rows for pattern. Bind off in A yarn.