Learn how to weave a simple pattern that packs a BIG punch!
Houndstooth is one of the most classic patterns for fabrics. Whether on a scarf, coat, skirt, purse, chair, blanket, or umbrella, the houndstooth never seems to go out of style. If you have it in your wardrobe, you will have a piece that will always be fashionable, at least in pattern.
In this tutorial, I will show you how to weave the simplest version of houndstooth – a 2×2. This size is also known as pinwheel and puppytooth.
I am using my rigid heddle loom in this tutorial; however, the houndstooth pattern may be created in the same way on many other types of looms. You should only need to adapt it to your loom’s particular warping method.
I have written this tutorial with the assumption that the reader will have a basic knowledge of warping and plain weaving. If any part of the tutorial is unclear, please leave a question in the comments, and I will try to help you out.
All photos are mine. All rights reserved.
Houndstooth Weaving
After warping as shown in photo #1, begin creating the houndstooth pattern by weaving two weft strands of one color. Proceed to the color change in photo #2.
Step 1
Step 2
Make sure you don’t do this instead!
Step 3
Step 4
My Houndstooth Projects
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Click here to read about my loom!
How do you like the Houndstooth pattern? Do you have any questions for me?
Lili & Mum's 
So I have 2 shuttles loaded with each color, I assume? Am I cutting and weaving in the ends as I would in a plane weave when changing colors? This part is not explained. I need to know how you change the color differently from a plain weave. Looks like cutting and weaving in the ends is not done here. But even with only 2 rows difference, how do you keep the selvedge edge from looking like a float? Please clarify and add a picture if possible.
No, you do not cut and weave. Simply, float up the edge and as long as it’s kept at an even tension, it doesn’t look sloppy. Please see the log cabin tutorial for more information on edges.
hope i’m not too late to ask a question…i’d like to make a houndstooth scarf in black and white, however, my white yarn is medium weight (4) and my black yarn is lighter weight (3). will this work okay? thank you so much
Yes, it will work. The different weights may change the texture, make it slightly more bumpy, but I believe that would increase the interest of the piece.
Cannot thank you enough. This is by far the best explanation for weaving a houndstooth pattern I have ever read. And your pictures are very helpful.
I’m so glad you found it helpful!
I’m an inexperienced weaver and ran across this houndstooth pattern. I love it and want to weave a scarf. I have some yarn (80% alpaca & 20% mulberry silk, weight of 1) that I was going to try to knit but would really like to weave it. First, will this yarn work? Second, what length should the warp be? Lastly, about how much yarn would be needed for a scarf that is 8″ wide and 67″ long (without fringe).
Hi! Thanks for contacting me. That weight is pretty fine and delicate, so you would have to be very careful with it. I would recommend first checking its strength by cutting a short piece (maybe a foot) and yanking both ends. If it breaks easily, I wouldn’t recommend it for weaving. If it doesn’t, I would still be very careful with your tension. To calculate your yarn needs, I would recommend putting the information you gave me into this weaving calculator: https://www.weavolution.com/resources/weaving-calculator It’s free and will give you all of your measurements and quantities. Best of luck!
Can I weave the houndstooth pattern on any other kind of loom besides a rigid-heddle?
Yes, the houndstooth pattern can be adapted to other looms.
I am trying to warp and have a question. When you alternate between colors, do you cut and tie off each color? For example, warp two white, cut and tie, warp two purple, cut and tie or do you carry different colors over each other? Can you show a picture of what the warpped yarn tied off ends look like on the loom. Thanks. Renee
In this pattern, I don’t cut and tie. I just pull through the color I want. One pull through should give you two warp strands. In a pattern with wider groups of one color, I will cut and tie it off. I don’t have a picture of that, so let me know if you need more clarification. Thanks!
Just curious if you have ever used rayon chenille. 12-18 epi is the usual sett. I think 12 dent is about the closest sett I have. Thoughts?
I have not woven with rayon chenille. It would probably be quite pretty in a houndstooth garment. My only concern would be if it is strong enough to use as warp. You could test it simply by seeing how much tension it takes when you pull or jerk it between your hands. 12 dent would probably work as long as your heddle slides smoothly over the warp. You may need to adjust how much you beat the weft as well to match the 12. My motto is usually to try it and see what happens. Thanks for stopping by, and I’d love to hear how it goes if you try it!
The weaving order – the shafts lifting order will be 1,2,1,2,1.. like plain weave right. its the drafting and the double weft that creates the pattern?
Yes, it is plain weave. The 2 warp x 2 weft color pattern creates the design. If you have any further questions, let me know.
ive tried repetedly to do this pattern and i do not get it
What seems to be tripping you up?
I have warped correctly but I am coming out with stripes not pinwheels. Is my problem that both sides end in the same color rather than white on the right and purple on the left?
I don’t think that would make a difference. Could you take a picture and email it to me at liliandmum@gmail.com? I need to know exactly what you’re getting because I’m not sure if what I’m picturing is right.
Here are a couple of things to consider: You need to start your weft with the same color as the side of the warp you “start” on. I start left to right (with my tail hanging out the left side), so I began with the purple strand in this case. If you started the weave above from left to right with the white strand, you’ll end up with a different pattern which might cause striping. It’s possible that having both sides of the warp be the same color could throw off the pattern, but I’m having trouble picturing that to tell you for sure. A second thing that might cause striping would be if instead of warping with a two by two pattern, you did a four by four or larger. You’ll end up with a checked pattern that way. I would suggest starting with your other color and see what happens. If it is still causing you trouble, it may be your warp that is the problem. Don’t hesitate to comment or email if you need more help. I’ll do my best.