Close Check Knitting Stitch Pattern:  Tips and Tutorial

Close Check Knitting Stitch Pattern  by Janice Jones  Updated March 18, 2026

The close check washclorth worked in 100% cotton without a border.

The close-check knitting stitch pattern is a beginner-friendly knit-and-purl design that creates a tidy, geometric texture. It looks a little like a small-scale checkerboard, with blocks of stockinette and reverse stockinette alternating to form a reversible fabric. Because it lies flat and uses only basic stitches, it is a great choice for scarves, washcloths, blankets, pillow covers, and other easy knitting projects.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to knit the close check stitch flat and in the round, read the chart, and use the pattern in a simple practice project. If you already know how to knit and purl, you can make this stitch.

Close Check Stitch At a Glance

Skill Level:  Basic

Stitch Multiples:  6 + 3

Row Repeats:  8

Reversible:  Yes

Techniques Used:  Knit and Purl Stitches Only

Lies Flat

Worked in the Round:  Yes

What You'll Love About This Stitch

This pattern reminds me a little of the basketweave stitch because it consists of little boxes of stitches.  Stockinette stitches alternate with reverse stockinette stitches to create a geometric pattern. 

The thing I love about this stitch is that it creates a fabric that would be good for making a cowl, scarf, pillow cover, or even a blanket.

It is accomplished by working on a multiple of 6 plus 3 and is an 8-row repeat.  But, it's still beginner-friendly because all you need to know is knit and purl stitches.

When Stitch Patterns All Begin to Look Alike

At first, I thought I had made a mistake by creating 3 pages on this website about the same stitch, but as I looked more closely, I saw three separate knit patterns that looked similar but were actually different stitches.

Knit close check pattern worked in greenClose Check

Stitch Multiples: 6 + 3

Row Repeat: 8

Each little square = 3 sts

Reversible

Simple Checker is a decorative pattern that uses just knit and purl stitches and is also reversibleSimple Checker

Stitch Multiple: 8 + 4

Row Repeat: 10

Each little square = 4 sts

Reversible

A thumbnail checkerboard garter stitch knit stitch patternGarter Checkerboard

Stitch Multiple: 10 + 5

Row Repeat: 14

Each little square:  5 sts.

Not Reversible

Skills Needed

  • How to cast on using the long-tail cast-on method.
  • How to make the knit stitch.
  • How to make the purl stitch.
  • How to bind off in pattern  (knit the knit stitches before binding them off, and purl the purl stitches before binding them off.
  • How to read written instructions or knitted chart instructions.
  • How to weave in ends.

Supplies to Create a Practice Swatch

  • Yarn of your choice.  I am using Lily Sugar'n Cream 100% Cotton Yarn 
  • Needles to match your favorite yarn.  I am using a size US 8 (5.0 mm) needle
  • Scissors
  • Tapestry needle

Abbreviations

k = knit

p = purl

CO = Cast on

BO = Bind off

Rnd = Round

st/sts. = stitch/stitches

*    * Repeat the instructions contained between the two asterisks for the number of times indicated

Written Instructions for Working Flat

Cast On: Multiples of 6 + 3

Row 1: (RS): P3, *k3, p3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 2: K3, *p3, k3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 3: P3, *k3, p3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 4: K3, *p3, k3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 5: K3, *p3, k3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 6: P3, *k3, p3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 7: K3, *p3, k3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 8: P3, *k3, p3; rep from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1 to 8 for the pattern.

Instructions for Knitting the Close Check Knitting Stitch Pattern in Chart Form

Instructions for knitting the close check knitting pattern in chart form

Written Instructions for Working in the Round

Cast on a multiple of 3

Round 1: *K3, P3; repeat from * to end.
Round 2: K3, P3; repeat from * to end.
Round 3: K3, P3; repeat from * to end.
Round 4: P3, K3; repeat from * to end.
Round 5: P3, K3; repeat from * to end.
Round 6: P3, K3; repeat from * to end.
Round 7: K3, P3; repeat from * to end.
Round 8: K3, P3; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Rounds 1 to 8 for the pattern

Troubleshooting and Beginner Tips
  Best Yarns for This Stitch

If your close check pattern does not look very clear at first, do not worry. This stitch becomes easier to see after several rows, once the little blocks begin to form. 

My fabric does not look like little checks yet. Keep going for at least one full repeat. The texture becomes much more obvious after rows 4 to 8.

I keep losing my place in the pattern. Try counting in groups of 3 stitches, since each block is built around groups of 3 knits and 3 purls.

My tension looks uneven. Knit and purl patterns often look a little uneven before blocking. A light block can help smooth the fabric and make the checks look more defined.

The edges look messy. Pay close attention to the first and last 3 stitches of each row. Beginners often rush the edges, which can make the swatch look less tidy.

I mixed up rows 1 through 4 and rows 5 through 8. A row counter can help, since the stitch shifts halfway through the repeat.

Tip: If you are learning this stitch for the first time, use a light-colored yarn with good stitch definition. It will make the pattern much easier to see.

  Best Yarns for This Stitch

The best yarns for the close check knitting stitch are smooth yarns with good stitch definition. Because this pattern relies on the contrast between knit and purl sections, you will usually see it best in yarns that are not too fuzzy or heavily textured.

Cotton yarn is a lovely choice for washcloths and dishcloths, which is why it worked well for my sample. Wool, wool blends, and smooth acrylic yarns also work nicely for scarves, blankets, and home decor projects.

If you want the checker texture to stand out clearly, choose a solid or lightly tonal yarn. Very busy variegated yarns can distract from the pattern and make the little checks harder to see.

For beginners, a worsted-weight yarn in a lighter color is usually the easiest option. It helps the stitch pattern show up well while you are learning the repeat.

  Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the close check knitting stitch good for beginners?

Yes. This stitch is beginner-friendly because it uses only knit and purl stitches. If you already know those two basic stitches, you can learn this pattern.

Is the close check stitch reversible?

Yes. Both sides are attractive, which makes this stitch a nice choice for scarves, blankets, and washcloths.

Does the close check stitch curl?

No. This stitch generally lies flat, which is one reason it works well for practical projects.

What can I make with the close check stitch?

This stitch works well for washcloths, dishcloths, scarves, cowls, blankets, pillow covers, and stitch sampler projects.

  Project Ideas:  Washcloth

I decided to create a bright green washcloth while practicing this pattern.  It's your choice, you can make a small swatch or use the directions below to make a dishcloth/washcloth.

Cast On: Multiples of 6 + 3

Skill Level

Beginner/Easy

Finished Size

7 inches by 7 inches

Directions

For this tutorial, I cast on 33 stitches using the long-tail cast-on method (6 x 5) + 3 = 33.  This is large enough to create a washcloth, if you want a project to complete while learning this stitch.

Row 1: P3, *k3, p3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 2: K3, *p3, k3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 3: P3, *k3, p3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 4: K3, *p3, k3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 5: K3, *p3, k3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 6: P3, *k3, p3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 7: K3, *p3, k3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 8: P3, *k3, p3; rep from * to end of row.

Continue this pattern until you reach your desired length.  Bind off in pattern and weave in ends.

Crochet Border (Optional)

If you would like to add a little border, a simple crochet border using single crochet and half double crochet stitches adds about another inch to the washcloth.

Directions for Crochet Border

A washcloth made with the close check knit pattern and a crocheted border

To make this border, you will need to know a little about crochet.

How to make the single crochet stitch

How to make the half double crochet stitch

How to make a slip stitch

Make a slip stitch using a contrasting cotton yarn.  Attach with a 4.5 mm (7) crochet hook in any corner of the washcloth.

Work one single crochet stitch in each knit stitch around the perimeter.  When you reach a corner, work two single crochet stitches, one chain and then two more single crochet in the same corner space. Slip stitch to connect last stitch to the first one you made.

You can end there, or add an additional round of half double crochet.  To add this round, chain 3.  Work one half double crochet stitch, one chain and two more half double crochet stitches into the same corner space.  Work one half double crochet in each stitch around working two half double crochet, one chain, two more half double crochet in each corner.  Fasten off and work in ends.

Conclusion

The close-check knitting stitch pattern is a simple yet attractive design that turns basic knit and purl stitches into a neat geometric texture. It is easy to learn, reversible, and practical for many different kinds of projects.

If you are looking for a stitch that feels a little more interesting than plain ribbing or stockinette but is still beginner-friendly, this is a wonderful pattern to try. Once you have worked a few repeats, the rhythm becomes very easy to remember.

Whether you use it for a small practice swatch, a washcloth, or a larger project, the close check stitch is a classic pattern worth adding to your stitch library.

Pin for Future Reference

A swatch of the close knit stitch pattern worked in green on a pin image

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