Hammam towel patterns explained: stripes, rhombus, diamond, herringbone & more
Stripes, rhombuses, herringbone or ornament: when you buy a hammam towel, you almost always choose a pattern too. Shops often only give keywords such as "houndstooth" or "baroque". This little glossary explains the most important hammam towel patterns: how they are created in the fabric, how they look, what they are suited to and how to combine them. We also show which pattern each of our towels has.
Contents9
- How a pattern gets into a hammam towel
- The hammam towel pattern glossary
- Patterns at a glance: look and use
- Combining patterns: three simple rules
- Which hammam towel pattern for which use?
- How to recognise a woven-in hammam towel pattern
- Care: keeping the pattern beautiful
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
How a pattern gets into a hammam towel
With classic hammam towels, the pattern is usually woven in rather than printed. During weaving, lengthwise threads (warp) and crosswise threads (weft) cross. Which threads lie on top, how often they change and which colours are used determines the design: coloured weft threads create horizontal stripes, a regular offset creates rhombuses or zigzags.
This has practical consequences: a woven-in pattern cannot flake off and is usually visible on both sides. We explain in detail how the towels are made on looms in our article on production (link below).
The hammam towel pattern glossary
Stripes
The most classic hammam towel pattern of all. Horizontal stripes in two or more colours look fresh, maritime and timeless. Wide stripes are eye-catching, narrow ones calmer. Stripes fit almost anywhere: on the beach, in the sauna, in the bathroom.
Ours: the ADRIA hammam towel has clear, light stripes on turquoise, pink, dark blue, beige or black. The Towel To Go has classic white stripes, the Anatolia XL black accent stripes on natural white.
Rhombus
Small, repeating rhombuses give the towel a lively surface and often a slightly tactile texture. They look a little more playful than pure stripes but remain calm enough to combine with other textiles.
Ours: the MAHINA hammam towel combines stripes with a geometric rhombus pattern and grey fringes – a special design made for BeachAndSteam in red-grey, sage-grey and pink-grey.
Diamond
A tight rhombus grid in which the shapes are lined up like cut gems. The pattern looks fine and even, from a distance almost like a texture rather than an image. Good for small towels, because it shows fully even on a small surface.
Ours: the Mini hammam towel Diamant carries the pattern in its name, at approx. 90 × 45 cm in beige, blue, yellow, grey and mint.
Herringbone
A zigzag of diagonally offset lines reminiscent of a fish skeleton. It is familiar from coats and jackets. On a hammam towel, herringbone looks calm, elegant and rather homely. It suits modern bathrooms in natural tones or works as a throw on the sofa. We currently do not carry a towel with a herringbone pattern.
Pepita and houndstooth
Small, jagged checks in two colours. From a distance the pattern looks grey-mottled, close up graphic. It is rather rare on hammam towels, but a nice choice if you want something understated yet special.
Check
Crossed stripes in warp and weft create checks. They look down-to-earth and are reminiscent of classic kitchen or picnic cloths. They suit picnics and the garden well; in the sauna they look rather rustic.
Ornament and baroque
Larger, intertwined motifs look festive and striking. They are the right choice if the towel should also be decorative, for example as a gift or as part of a set.
Ours: in the bathrobe & hammam towel set, bathrobe and hammam towel come in the same Barok pattern, in green, blue or red.
Plain with coloured accents
A single-coloured surface with colourful threads in the weave and coloured fringes. Simple, cheerful and the easiest to combine.
Ours: the Ocean hammam towel with colourful threads and coloured fringes in black, green, light blue, yellow, turquoise and dark blue.
Pastel and fine texture
Delicate colours, barely visible patterns, the texture takes centre stage. Looks understated and elegant. One example is the Colombia towel with its delicate texture and pastel patterns.
Patterns at a glance: look and use
| Pattern | Look | Works well for | Our example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripes | maritime, timeless | beach, sauna, bathroom | ADRIA, Towel To Go |
| Rhombus | lively, textured | sauna, beach | MAHINA |
| Diamond | fine, even | guest bathroom, kitchen, sport | Mini Diamant |
| Herringbone | calm, elegant | modern bathroom, sofa | – |
| Houndstooth, check | graphic, down-to-earth | picnic, garden | – |
| Ornament/Barok | festive, striking | gift, set | bathrobe & hammam towel set |
| Plain with accents | simple, cheerful | family, travel, combining | Ocean |
Combining patterns: three simple rules
- One pattern leads: If you combine two towels, for example for the bench and the relaxation area, let one carry the striking pattern and choose a calmer one for the other, such as plain with accents.
- One colour connects: Stripes and rhombuses go well together if they share a colour. The grey fringes of the MAHINA, for example, harmonise with grey or black tones.
- Mind the size: Large motifs need space. On a small towel, a fine pattern like diamond works better than a large ornament.
Which hammam towel pattern for which use?
Sauna: In a busy sauna, you recognise your towel faster if it has a distinctive pattern or a strong colour. Stripes and rhombuses are practical here.
Beach: Bold stripes look summery, and dark patterns stand out well on light sand. Light plain surfaces show sun cream stains sooner.
At home: For bathroom, sofa or bed, calm patterns such as fine stripes, herringbone or texture fit best with the interior.
Gift: A special pattern such as an ornament or an exclusive design like MAHINA makes the towel something you won't find in every department store.
How to recognise a woven-in hammam towel pattern
- Look at the back: If the pattern is also visible on the back, it is woven in. A print is usually only strong on one side.
- Run your hand over the fabric: With rhombus and diamond patterns you can often feel a slight texture. A print feels smooth.
- Check edges and fringes: The pattern lines should run cleanly to the edge and finish neatly there.
- Put small irregularities into context: With traditionally woven towels, small irregularities in the fabric are normal. The description of our Manolia towel, for example, states that they underline its individual character.
Care: keeping the pattern beautiful
Woven-in patterns are robust, but the colours still need a little attention. For our hammam towels such as Ocean, ADRIA and MAHINA, the recommendation is: wash at 30 °C, no fabric softener, air dry. Don't leave strong colours in blazing sun for hours. You'll find more on choosing colours in our article on hammam towel colours.
Related reading: How hammam towels are made: from yarn and loom to fringe · Hammam towel colours: choosing, combining and protecting them from fading · Recognising your sauna towel: how it never gets mixed up again
Conclusion
Stripes, rhombus, diamond, herringbone, houndstooth, ornament or plain with accents: every hammam towel pattern has its own look. Because the patterns are woven in, they last a long time and are usually visible on both sides. For sauna and beach, distinctive stripes and rhombuses are practical; at home, calmer patterns work better. Our tip: one towel with a pattern, one with a calm look – that way everything can be combined. You'll find all designs in our hammam towels collection.
Frequently asked questions
Are hammam towel patterns printed or woven?
With classic hammam towels they are usually woven in. The pattern is created by the arrangement and colour of the threads and is usually visible on both sides.
Which is the classic hammam towel pattern?
Horizontal stripes are the best-known pattern. Rhombuses, diamond and ornaments are also widespread.
What is the difference between rhombus and diamond?
Both are rhombus shapes. In the diamond pattern, the shapes usually sit closer and more evenly next to each other, so the design looks finer.
Which pattern is best for the sauna?
Distinctive stripes or rhombuses in strong colours, because you'll recognise your towel faster.
Does a woven-in pattern fade?
Like any dyed cotton, it can become lighter over time with a lot of sun. Gentle washing at 30 °C and drying without hours of blazing sun help.
Discover hammam towels by pattern
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.