Knit Diamond Table Cloth — 2 colors — approx 12" x 18"

A neat, reversible knit table cloth (placemat-sized) worked in two colors: one background (MC — main color) and one contrasting diamond (CC). The diamond is worked with intarsia for clean color joins; a garter selvedge keeps the edges flat. This pattern gives a worked sample (CO 60) plus formulas so you can scale to your own gauge.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4). Sample uses: MC: ~200 yards (183 m) total; CC: ~50 yards (46 m) total. Typical skein: 200 yards / 100 g (approx 183 m / 100 g). You may need slightly more if you make a larger size.
• Needles (sample/recommended): US 7 / UK 7 / 4.5 mm circular needle 24" (60 cm) or straight needles. Alternate needles for gauge adjustment: US 6 / UK 8 / 4.0 mm (finer), US 8 / UK 6 / 5.0 mm (looser). Always use the needle size needed to obtain gauge.
• Notions: tapestry needle, 2–4 small intarsia bobbins or separate small balls of CC, stitch markers, waste yarn (for provisional cast-on if you prefer), blocking pins/mats.

Gauge

Sample gauge (stockinette, blocked): 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm). Swatch at least 4" x 4" and block to check. If your gauge differs, use the formulas in "Calculations" to adjust stitch counts.

Finished size (sample)

Approx 12" (30.5 cm) wide x 18" (45.7 cm) long. The sample numbers below assume the gauge above.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• K = knit
• P = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• MC = main color (background)
• CC = contrasting color (diamond)
• Intarsia = colorwork technique using separate bobbins or small balls so yarn is not carried across the back

Calculations / How to size

Formula approach so you can make any size:

• Decide finished width in inches (W). Measure your gauge in stitches per inch (G = gauge sts per inch; e.g. 18 sts per 4" = 4.5 sts/inch). Decide selvedge width in stitches (S each side). The sample uses S = 3 stitches on each side worked in garter to form a tidy edge.
• Center panel stitches = round(W * G). Total cast-on stitches = Center panel stitches + 2*S.
• Desired length rows: decide length in inches (L). Measure rows per inch (RPI) from your swatch (e.g. 24 rows per 4" = 6 rows/inch). Total rows = round(L * RPI). For garter top/bottom edges use a fixed number of rows (sample uses 6 rows = ~1" each).

Example (sample): W = 12", G = 4.5 sts/inch => center = 12 * 4.5 = 54 sts. S=3 each side => CO = 54 + 6 = 60 sts. L = 18", RPI = 6 rows/inch => total rows = 18 * 6 = 108 rows. Subtract top and bottom garter edges (6 rows each) for body rows = 96 body rows.

Design: diamond placement & sizing

This pattern uses a centered intarsia diamond block. Sample diamond: 31 rows tall with a maximum width of 32 stitches. The center panel width in the sample is 54 sts, so the diamond sits centered with 11 background stitches on each side of the diamond area (11 + diamond + 11 = 54).

General: Choose a diamond height Drows and a maximum diamond width Dw (Dw should be <= center panel stitches and ideally allow even split of side background sts). To center vertically, start the diamond after floor((BodyRows - Drows)/2) rows of stockinette; the first diamond row will be the next row.

Sample Pattern (worked numbers shown)

Sample cast-on: CO 60 sts with MC.

1. Bottom garter border: Knit every row for 6 rows (approx 1"). This creates a garter ridge border that will match the top edge.
2. Body (stockinette with garter selvedge): Work stockinette for BodyRows = 96 rows total. Maintain a garter selvedge by knitting the first S = 3 sts and the last S = 3 sts on every row. Place markers after the first 3 stitches and before the last 3 stitches to mark the 54-st center panel.
3. Diamond placement (sample): Diamond is Drows = 31 rows tall. Start after N = floor((96 - 31)/2) = 32 rows of stockinette; begin diamond on the next row (that is, body row number 33). The diamond rows occupy body rows 33–63 inclusive (31 rows).
4. Diamond shaping (sample): For diamond row r = 1..31 define the diamond width w as: if r ≤ 16 then w = 2*r else w = 2*(32 - r). This yields widths: 2,4,6,...,32,...,6,4,2 across the 31 rows—a symmetrical diamond that peaks at 32 stitches on row 16.
5. How to knit each diamond row (both RS and WS): Work the row as follows, keeping selvedge sts in MC (knit them on every row):

Selvedge 3 sts (MC, knit each row)
Left background 11 sts (MC: on RS knit, on WS purl)
Diamond w sts (CC: on RS knit, on WS purl)  -- intarsia bobbin for CC
Right background 11 sts (MC)
Selvedge 3 sts (MC, knit each row)

Notes about intarsia: On RS rows work the stitches in the current color (knit MC background, knit CC diamond). On WS rows purl the same colors. When switching from MC to CC and back, twist the two yarns once at the join so there is no hole. Use separate bobbins or small balls of CC; do not carry CC across the background. Keep floats short and tidy on the WS because thread ends will be woven in later.

6. After completing the 31 diamond rows, continue stockinette (still keeping selvedge 3 sts knit every row) until you reach the full BodyRows = 96 rows.
7. Top garter border: Knit every row for 6 rows (same number as bottom). Then BO loosely in pattern on the next row (knit the knit sts as you bind off to keep the selvedge neat).

Finishing

• Weave in all ends with a tapestry needle. Keep intarsia joins tidy; tuck ends toward the back of their color area.
• Block: Wet block or steam gently. Pin to final measurements 12" x 18" (or to your calculated finished size) and allow to dry. Blocking evens the fabric and opens the color transitions.
• Care: Hand wash cold or gentle machine wash in a mesh bag on delicate, lay flat to dry. Test care on a swatch if using a special fiber.

Tips & alternatives

• If you prefer not to do intarsia, work the diamond in MC and embroider the diamond afterward with duplicate stitch in CC; this is slower but avoids many ends.
• For a larger diamond, choose a larger Dw and Drows and recalculate side background sts so the diamond remains centered. Use the formulas in the "Calculations" section.
• To avoid curling at the center between garter selvedges, ensure selvedge sts are worked in garter every row (knit on each side regardless of RS/WS). This gives a stable edge that lies flat.
• If your gauge is different, use the exact formula to compute CO and diamond placement. Always work a swatch and re-calculate stitches per inch and rows per inch.

Troubleshooting

• If the diamond edge looks loose: tighten your first stitch after each color join by knitting the first stitch of the new color through the back loop for 1 stitch, then normal, or make sure to twist yarns firmly at joins.
• If the cloth is too floppy or too stiff: adjust needle size and yarn weight (a lighter yarn with smaller needle will be drapier; heavier yarn with larger needles will be thicker).

Questions or problems? Visit https://purljam.verde.uk or email support at team@verde.uk. Share your makes with #purljam on socials.

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