Bright, textured cotton napkin worked flat in relief stitches (front-post/back-post) to make a crisp, raised checkerboard. Worked in US crochet terms; UK old terms are given where helpful. Finished size: approx 30cm / 12in square (before blocking). Rows: 38.
Approx 16 dc (US) x 9 rows = 10 cm / 4 in using 4.0 mm hook. Adjust hook if needed to match gauge and desired drape.
This napkin creates a checkerboard relief by alternating FPdc and BPdc on successive rows so the raised posts shift each row. The starting chain is a multiple of 2 plus 1 to keep the pattern symmetrical and to make a balanced edge for the turning chains. Read the special stitch notes before you start.
FPdc (front-post double crochet): Yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the dc in the previous row (around the post, not into the top loops), yarn over, pull up loop, (yarn over, pull through 2) twice to complete dc around post.
BPdc (back-post double crochet): Yarn over, insert hook from back to front to back around the post of the dc in the previous row, yarn over, pull up loop, (yarn over, pull through 2) twice to complete.
Ch 41 (multiple of 2 + 1). This will give a neat square ~30cm depending on yarn/hook.
Row 1 (RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as first dc) and in each ch across. Turn. (Total sts: 39 dc)
Row 2 (WS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. *FPdc around next dc, BPdc around next dc; rep from * across until 1 st remains, dc in last st. Turn.
Row 3 (RS): Ch 3, turn. *BPdc around the FPdc (the post you worked in Row 2), FPdc around the BPdc; rep from * across until 1 st remains, dc in last st. Turn.
Rows 4–37: Rep Rows 2–3 alternately. These two rows form the checkerboard relief. Continue alternating so posts shift each row and raised blocks appear as a woven texture.
Row 38 (final row): Work Row 2 once more (ch 3, turn, *FPdc around next dc, BPdc around next dc* across, dc last st). Turn and fasten off.
Note on row math: You began with Row 1, then worked the Row2/Row3 pair 18 times, then finished with Row2 to reach 38 rows total.
With RS facing, join yarn at any corner. Round 1: Ch 1, sc evenly along each side, working (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner to preserve square corners; place 3 sc in each corner if you prefer a rounded corner. Join with sl st to first sc. Round 2: Sl st to next st, *ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 2 sts; sk 1 st, sc in next st; rep around to create a simple picot-like scallop. Join, fasten off, weave in ends.
Machine wash warm or hand wash; reshape while damp. Mercerized cotton will keep crisp edges and stitch definition better.
Pattern by PurlJam — more patterns at https://purljam.verde.uk. For support or questions email team@verde.uk. Share finished projects with #purljam on socials.