While searching for Towel Topper crochet patterns, I realized there really isn't that much of a variety to choose from. In order to complete my latest crochet order, I knew I would have to write at least one pattern for a towel topper if not more..
I wanted to make this pattern easy for any hook size, yarn, or tension. I had problems following other patterns because on a towel they could fit 60 SC into their first row, I was only getting 40! So with this pattern, whether you can fit 24, 40, or even 60.. add one more SC to your towel and it will still work out just fine!
There is more information about adjusting your starting SC row in the notes. This gives you the ability to make the towel custom to how many stitches you can get into your first row. You also have the freedom to change your hook size and even yarn weight.
Supplies
1 hand towel cut in half – You will only need 1/2 of a towel for each topper you make.
5 MM crochet hook
Worsted Medium Weight yarn
Yarn needle for weaving in ends.
One 1 inch Button
Stitches
SC – Single Crochet
CH – Chain
Slip Stitch
HDC – Half Double Crochet
-Note- I sharpened an aluminum 5 mm crochet hook with a knife file. Then, after row 1, switched to an un-sharpened 5 mm.
-Note- To change your starting SC number, hook size, and yarn weight- you will be making your starting SC count by 4's plus 1.
Let's Get Started!
Row 1: 41 SC across the cut end of the towel.
Row 2-3: CH 1. Turn. SC into same stitch and each of the remaining 40 stitches.
Row 4: CH 1. Turn. SC into same stitch. **CH 3. Skip 3 stitches. SC into next stitch. Repeat from ** across.
Row 5: Turn. Slip Stitch into same stitch. **5 HDC into CH space. Slip stitch into next SC. Repeat from ** across.
Row 6: CH 1. Turn. Slip stitch into next 3 HDC. CH 1. SC into same stitch. **CH 3. SC into 3rd HDC of next HDC set. Repeat from ** across.
Row 7: Turn. Slip Stitch into same stitch. **5 HDC into CH space. Slip stitch into next SC. Repeat from ** across.
Repeat rows 6 and 7 until you only have SEVEN 5 HDC sets left. With starting with 41 SC, this is 2 repeats of rows 6 and 7.
Row 11: CH 1. Turn. Slip stitch into next 3 HDC. CH 1. SC into same stitch. **CH 2. SC into 3rd HDC of next HDC set. Repeat from ** across.
Row 12: Turn. Slip stitch into same stitch. **3 HDC into CH space. Slip stitch into next SC. Repeat from ** across.
Row 13: CH 1. Turn. In this row you will be skipping your slip stitches. **HDC DEC, HDC into next stitch. Repeat from ** across. (You should have 12 stitches)
Row 14: CH 1. Turn. HDC into same stitch and each stitch across.
Row 15: CH 1. Turn. **HDC DEC, HDC into next stitch. Repeat from ** across. (You should have 8 stitches)
Row 16-23: CH 1. Turn. HDC into same stitch and each stitch across.
Row 24: CH 1. Turn. HDC DEC. CH 3. Skip 4 stitches. HDC DEC.
Row 25: CH 1. Turn. SC into first stitch. 5 HDC into CH space. SC into last stitch.
Finish off and weave in your ends. Attach a button to the center of row 14.
Tina says
Love this ! And you are right: there isn’t many patterns on the net for towel toppers. I had to design my own :***( when we had first moved into our new apartment and had no place to hang my towels. Our cabinets did not have handles and I hated hanging them off of the fridge door .
🙁
This one is both pretty and functional !
Dinah Ackerson says
Typo re pattern title? Your pattern title should be Bonding not Bounding.
Corina says
I named it Bounding. Like.. leaps and bounds. 🙂
Amy says
Beautiful towel topper!!!
I was just wondering, when you cut the towel in half, do you fold the top of the towel over a tiny bit and sew it to keep the top edge from fraying, or is that necessary?
Corina says
I haven’t been.. but I have only been making these for a few weeks. It may be a good idea to. I will do that with my next one to see if it looks cleaner.
Corina says
Ok, The one I made today, I folded back while crocheting. It does look a little cleaner! The best thing to do would probably be to seam it.. but that doesn’t personally sound like fun. I am also going to try crocheting through it folded without cutting it.
Amy says
Haha I know it doesn’t sound fun to me either! On a different pattern I used I ended up using the whole towel instead of cutting it in half just because I didn’t want to sew the end over! I didn’t think about cutting it in half and then folding it over at the top to crochet instead of sew.
Patricia (Tricia) Willans says
You should not cut the towel in half – I do mine double, just fold towel in half and
chain stitch across. Then crochet into the chain stitches in whatever pattern you
desire – I made up my own initially. Double towels are always more acceptable
either for gifts or charity stalls
Patti says
my friend wants me to make her some, but NOT to cut the towel in half, but FOLD it in half. We’ll see how that works!
Heather says
Thank you!! My mother-in-law bought several towels for me to crochet tops onto for her, but I have just not been happy with the patterns I’ve found. This is perfect!!
Kimberly says
How do i crochet into the towel? I’m not understanding how to sharpen the hook or if i can cut it?
Corina says
I used a knife sharpener to sharpen my aluminum 5 mm crochet hook.
lee says
I guess I’m not getting it..are you just putting the sharpened hook through the towel or making holes to crochet sc??? Sorry not very savy!!!
Corina says
Yeah, I am just poking my sharpened hook through the towel.
CARYN says
I use an old knitting needle to make holes
Dana says
I usually sew a blanket stitch across the cut end, hemming the cut edge as I go. Then I crochet my sc into the blanket stitch. Wonder if that would work for this, as I always struggle crocheting right into the towel. Such a beautiful design, I might have to give it a try!
Donna Y says
Do you have a place to print it out?
Corina says
You can use the “Print Friendly” button located towards the end of the pattern.
Sheri says
Great pattern, thank you! Re: cut edge? I picked up fabric “glue”- liquid stitch I think it’s called & will give that a try.
Denise says
I really love your towel topper design, it very unique and original…Thank you so much for sharing your pattern…
I have been making towel toppers for years…I use a very simple, but heftier pattern for the towels that I have made…I had a houseful of boys that weren’t very gentle with frilly girl things, lol…
Here are a few things that really helped me out…After I cut the towel in half – 1. for smaller towels – I put Fray-check on the cut ends…2. for regular towels – I fold the cut end under 1/4″ and sew a small seam to hold it in place…Also, I use an ice-pick to punch my holes in the towel and then I start a foundation row with a smaller sized (D) hook and then do the rest of the pattern with a larger (G or H) hook…
Now that all the boys have left the nest I can have frilly things, lol…I am going to use your pattern for the next batch of towels I make… Again, thank you so much for sharing your pattern…
Ruth says
Love the pattern. I use a nut picker to poke the holes in my towels and then crochet into the hole. I, also, fold the top of the towel over before poking the holes.
Kate Pigula says
I am new at this.I’ve been looking for patterns of towel toppers that tie at the top instead of buttons. Where can i find them.Do you know?
Chas says
I use the whole towel folded in half, and instead of just poking holes, I use the embroidery chain stitch down the towel and then start crocheting off of that.
Amanda says
Ok so I might feel stupid for asking once I find out but I’m confused about something.
**HDC DEC, HDC into next stitch. Repeat from ** across. (You should have 12 stitches)
What does DEC mean?
Corina says
Half Double Crochet Decrease. 🙂
Leigh Ann says
The sides of the towel are different. One side has “points” the other is more rounded. What am I doing wrong?
Kazawary says
Hey Leigh Ann,
I also found this and resolved it by slip stitching into the bottom stitch at the end of the chain. This pulls the end of the group of 5HDC’s down so that no more ‘pointy’ side.
Becky says
I’m really confused. How do I do 5 hdc into 3 ch? I’m a beginner and just learning the different stitches.
Becky Beal says
Never mind. I figured it out with help from YouTube.
jan says
A learner here 🙂 where the pattern says: Row 4: CH 1. Turn. SC into same stitch. Does that mean sc into the chain stitch. Thank you.
Penny says
I would like to know also , as my edges aren’t “smooth “