Rutstorlek

Rutstorlek refers to the size of the repeating unit (rut) in a checkered or grid pattern. The term is used in textiles, wallpaper, tiling, and digital grid design to describe how large one square or element of the pattern is. The size is usually expressed in millimeters or centimeters for physical materials, and in inches in some consumer contexts.

In textiles, rutstorlek can arise from weaving or printing. For woven plaids, the rut size is related to how warp and weft threads form a repeating square; for printed fabrics, it corresponds to the repeat defined by the print design. Common rutstorlekar span from small, discreet checks (a few millimeters) to large blocks (centimeters), depending on the desired visual effect and use.

The choice of rutstorlek influences appearance, scalability, and suitability for different applications. Smaller ruts produce a subtle, detailed look with frequent color changes, while larger ruts create bold, graphic statements and are often used in outerwear, upholstery, or home textiles. Pattern matching and seam alignment are considerations especially with larger repeats.

In design and production, rutstorlek is specified in technical data sheets and patterns, with tolerances to account for manufacturing variation. In digital contexts, grid size or the number of pixels per rut serves a similar function for computer graphics or raster images.

See also: plaid, check pattern, grid, tiling.