ruitjes

Ruitjes is a Dutch term describing a repeating textile pattern that consists of small diamonds or squares arranged in a grid. The pattern is created by the alignment of colored elements in the weave or by printing, forming evenly spaced motifs. The diminutive form “ruitje” signals a small size, and “ruitjes” refers to multiple small motifs. The word is related to ruiten, the Dutch term for the diamond suit in playing cards, reflecting the same basic geometric shape.

In textile design, ruitjes can be produced by weaving or by printing. Woven ruitjes arise from the fabric’s structure with colored warp and weft threads, while printed ruitjes rely on color placement to create the grid. Sizes range from micro-ruiten to larger checks. In practice, terms such as klein-ruiten and grote ruitjes are used to describe different scales, though everyday language often uses ruitjes and ruiteje somewhat interchangeably.

Ruitjes are widely used in clothing and home textiles. They appear in shirts, blouses, summer dresses, table linens, curtains, and upholstery, often conveying a classic, casual, or rustic aesthetic. The pattern is particularly common in Dutch- and Belgian-influenced fashion and interiors. In English, similar patterns are described as checks, gingham, or small-diamond lattices, but ruitjes retain a distinctly Dutch nuance in design terminology. See also: check pattern, gingham, lattice.