ABC Handbook of Patterns

A argyle diamond-shaped rectangles in a diagonal alternating arrangement. typically uses a small number (two or three) colors.

B bullseye concentric circles, sometimes creating optical effects, such as movement or pulsation

C counter change a design where a certain color of the motif and its ground are reversed in another part of the design to balance the elements.

D dots a pattern of small circles or spots, often placed in an evenly spaced pattern.

E eccentric thin lines generating an illusion of a distortion or op-art effects. this class of patterns is believed to originate from the Lane’s Net pattern.

F foulard a small-scale pattern with basic block repeat, also called a set pattern or a tailored pattern. originally, the term foulard referred to a soft, lightweight silk cloth. classic foulards are small-scale, regular-shaped geometrics, usually in set layouts.

G gingham a checkered pattern distinguished by white and colored, even-sized checks. formed by horizontal and vertical stripes (usually of the same color) that cross each other on a white background to form even checks.

H hound’s tooth small, broken or jagged checks created by four-pointed stars. also called dog’s tooth.

I imperial trellis a regal take on geometric shapes, often interlinked. commonly used for rugs and wallpaper.

J jacobean an embroidery style (which later became seen as a pattern) that flourished in the reign of King James I of England in the first quarter of the 17th century. characterized by fanciful plant and animal shapes.

K kilim a Turkish kilim is a flat-woven rug from Anatolia that uses symbols to form motiffs meant to communicate age old stories and to create aesthetically pleasing patterns.

L liberty allover, small-scale organic (usually floral and other plant inspired) patterns, characterized by highly stylized, flowing curvilinear forms and subtle, artistic tones of art nouveau, developed by liberty & co. of london.

M medallion a circular part of the design in the shape of a disk, oval, diamond, hexagon, or other rotational figure, typically with a mirror symmetry, often used in the center as a focal point of an engineered design, or as an organic part of the motif.

N novelty a design with recognizable objects in the motif that may create a theme. also called a conversational pattern.

O ogee a design that has a pointed arch with a reversed curve near the apex on each side.

P paisley a stylized teardrop-shaped design that originally appeared on kashmir shawls mass-produced in paisley, scotland.

Q quatrefoil a stylized four-petal flower or a leaf with four leaflets used as a pattern motif or in an ornament, often having a heraldic or symbolic meaning.

R roman stripes bright, multicolored contrasting vertical or diagnol stripes of equal or unequal widths often used as a continuous textile pattern.

S scales design created with overlapping arcs. also called clamshells. encountered in many cultures through the millennia

T tartan a design that consists of crossing bands or stripes of different widths and colors, almost always at right angles. they were originally patterned to designate a distinctive Scottish clan.

U undirectional a design that looks the same from any direction. same as non-directional design. the opposite is a directional pattern.

V vermicular a pattern of irregular twisted lines (derived from the latin “worm�). also called vermiculate, seaweed, scribble, maze, and network pattern. can be formed by dots.

W wreath a ring-shape intertwined with garlands of flowers or leaves, often with ribbons and/or other decorations.

X (swiss) x equally spaced x’s or ‘plus’ marks, originated from the flag of switzerland. also called the swiss cross.

Y y tiles y shaped blocks composed of three equally sized v shapes that come together to form a three dimmenisonal design. consists of three contrasting colors for a bold graphic design or three monochromatic colors for a subtler effect.

Z zilij a pattern resembling intricate geometric mosaic tilework that is created from sets of characteristic shapes, and typically cut from enameled terracotta squares. another spelling is zalij.