If you’re looking to add a handmade touch of farmhouse style to your home, I’ve just created this crochet kitchen towel pattern for you. It features the beautiful star stitch, also known as the Marguerite Stitch, which is a textured two-row repeat pattern. This project will quickly become your “go-to” choice for creating towels, dishcloths, or washcloths.
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With three different sizes included, you can create a matching set of hand, dish, and tea towels that are as practical as they are pretty. Whether you’re sprucing up your own space or crocheting thoughtful gifts, these towels combine charm, texture, and versatility in every stitch.
So far, I’ve added quite a few similar patterns to my home and kitchen pattern collection. You may also like to check this double-thick crochet chicken potholder, this round and thick trivet or potholder, and this shamrock leaf washcloth.
How to Crochet a Kitchen Towel with the Star Stitch
We are crocheting these dishcloths using the star stitch, also known as the Marguerite stitch, in turning rows. Don’t worry, just yet about the level of difficulty, I’m including a link below to my full tutorial (with a video!)
We first create a chain with any even number for the width of the towel. Then, we create the first row of “star” stitches. This is going to build the foundation and the edge on one end.
Next, we create the second row with single crochet stitches to form the second half of the “stars”. This row will also serve as the foundation of the following row of star stitches.
Then, we crochet row #3, which also consists of star stitches. From here, we repeat the instructions for rows #2 and #3 to the desired towel length. I’m also including precise numbers on how to change yarn colors to create stripes.
Here is why you’ll love making these towels:
1. Gorgeous Texture: The crochet star stitch (also known as the Marguerite stitch) creates a rich, eye-catching texture for your dishcloths that is both unique and practical for everyday kitchen essentials.
2. Three Towel Sizes: This pattern includes instructions for three different towel sizes: a large kitchen towel, a hand towel (which can also be used as a tea towel), and a dishcloth. Whether you desire a complete set or just one specific size, you can create the towel in any size you like.
3. Perfect for Gifting or Selling at Markets: Handmade kitchen towels make for beautiful and practical gifts, perfect for housewarmings, weddings, or holidays. And they are also ideal items to sell at craft fairs or as part of a kit in your handmade shop.
4. Customizable and Yarn-Friendly: Choose your favorite cotton yarns in any color to match your kitchen décor or create seasonal variations. The stitch pattern works well with stripes, using solid or tonal yarns to let the texture take center stage.
Can a Beginner Crochet These Towels?
It depends! It can be challenging due to the need to draw up multiple loops, stitch placement, and tension control. However, if you’re a confident beginner ready to try something new (and willing to frog a few rows while learning), the star stitch is a great skill-building choice.
Choosing the Right Yarn for Kitchen Towels
Non-mercerized cotton, worsted weight (medium #4), is my top choice every time. It can be either 100% cotton or linen or a blend, with cotton being the predominant fiber. Here’s why:
- Highly absorbent: Perfect for drying hands, dishes, and counters.
- Durable: Stands up to frequent washing and heavy everyday use.
- Heat-resistant: Safe for use around hot cookware or as a trivet.
- Softens over time: Becomes even nicer with each wash.
Why Synthetic Yarns Aren’t Good for Dish Rags?
While fibers like acrylic and polyester are durable and affordable, they are not the best choice for crochet towels. Here’s why:
- Low Absorbency: Synthetic yarns are water-resistant instead of absorbent, making them less effective for cleaning tasks.
- Heat Sensitivity: Synthetic fibers can warp or even melt when exposed to hot pans, stoves, or ovens.
- Pilling and Wear: Everyday cleaning rags need to be durable and easy to care for. Synthetic fibers tend to pill and lose their texture after frequent washing.
For these reasons, it’s better to choose natural fibers for your dish rags.
Ready to make these gorgeous, rustic towels? Let’s gather our tools and supplies and get started!
But Before We Start…
… you may also like:
- Crochet Coaster Set with Basket
- I See Hearts Doily
- Snowflake Doily
- Farmhouse Pumpkin Garland
- Heart-Shaped Coaster
- Throw or Lap Blanket (made with the same yarn)
Crochet Kitchen Towel Pattern
Materials, Notions & Tools
- Medium weight (4) good quality cotton yarn – 160 yards (146 m) to 500 yards (457 m), or less, depending on size.
- 4 mm/G crochet hook – Clover Amour hooks are my go-to hook.
- Stitch markers, tapestry needle, and scissors
Popular Yarns for Kitchen Towels:
- Re-Up by Lion Brand – this is the yarn I used in the pictured samples of this pattern. I’ve also used this yarn in my Center Out Blanket and my C2C Lap Blanket. Its color palette and texture are simply the best for a rustic, farmhouse feel.
- Lily Sugar’n Cream – excellent cost benefit and widely available
- Hobby Lobby I Love this Cotton – super soft, good drape, and a beautiful selection of colors
Gauge
The size of my gauge, with the listed hook size and yarn, was 4 inches square for 7 star stitches and 11 rows (including the single crochet stitch rows). However, gauge isn’t very important for this crochet kitchen towel pattern.
Finished Measurements
- Large crochet kitchen towel pattern size: 18 inches x 25 inches (43 x 64 cm)
- Hand or tea towel size: 13 inches x 18 inches (33 x 43 cm)
- Dishcloth size: 12 inches x 12 inches (30 x 30 cm)
Abbreviations (US terms)
Get a FREE Abbreviations & Terms Guide (PDF download).
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- sc5tog: five single crochets together (for the formation of the star stitch cluster)
- bl: back loop
- ch(s): chain(s)
- fl: front loop
- FO: Fasten off or finish off
- hdc: half double crochet
- sc: single crochet
- st(s): stitch(es)
- yo: yarn over
- Asterisks: used to indicate which instructions are repeated
Pattern Notes
- This crochet kitchen towel pattern uses US crochet terminology.
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- This pattern is for a towel in three different sizes, crocheted in turning rows.
- The width can be modified by crocheting any other even number of chains.
- Length can be modified by adding rows.
- We must maintain consistent stitch tension throughout the pattern to prevent distortion of the stitch shape.
- I recommend counting the stars in each row to ensure that we have the same number of stars.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Before you begin, here are some resources that may be helpful for this crochet kitchen towel pattern: How to Crochet the Star Stitch (with video), How to Create a Slip Knot, How to do the Invisible Finish in Crochet, and How to Crochet the Star Stitch Border.
Step 1: Foundation
Ch 48 for dishcloth size, 50 for hand towel size, 70 for large kitchen towel size, or any other multiples of 2.
Towel Stripe Suggestion
I designed this crochet kitchen towel pattern with stripes with a contrasting yarn color. However, this step is totally optional.
- Large kitchen towel: Rows 7 and 8, 11 and 12, and 15 and 16.
- Hand towel: Rows 5 and 6, and 9 and 10 on one end. Then, 35 and 36, and 39 and 40 on the other end.
- Dishcloth: Rows 5 and 6, and 9 and 10 on one end. Then, 21 and 22, and 25 and 27 on the other end.
Step 2: Crochet row #1 (RS)
This is the first star stitch row.
- Insert the hook and pull up a loop in the back bump of the 2nd ch and in the back bump of each of the next 4 chs (6 loops on the hook), yo and pull through all six loops on the hook, ch 1 (this will create the eye of the star st).
- *Insert the hook into the eye of the last star st, pull up a loop, then insert the hook into the back of the last loop of the last sc in the group of sc5tog in the previous star and pull up a loop.
- Insert the hook in the same st as the last st in the star st cluster and pull up a loop. Pull up another loop in the back bump of each of the next 2 chains (6 loops on the hook).
- Yo and pull through all 6 loops, ch 1 to lock in the st and create the eye of the star.
- Repeat from the * across. Then, work 1 hdc in the last ch (same ch as the last loop of the last star), ch 1, turn.
At the end of this and every odd-number row, we’ll have: 22 stars for the small towel, 23 for the medium, and 32 stars for the large one.
Step 3: Crochet Row #2 (WS)
This is the single crochet stitch row.
- Sc into the hdc, then sc in the eye of the 1st star st.
- Now, sc 2 in the eye of each remaining star stitch across. At the end of the row, work 1 sc in the top of the turning ch, ch 2, turn.
Step 4: Crochet Row #3 (RS)
This is the second star stitch row.
- Insert the hook in the fl of the 2nd ch from the hook and pull up a loop. Then, insert the hook into the bl of the same ch and pull up another loop (3 loops on the hook).
- Pull up a loop in each of the next 3 sts (6 loops on hook). Yo and pull through all 6 loops on the hook, then ch 1 to lock in the st and create the eye of the star.
- *Insert the hook in the eye of the last star and pull up a loop, then insert the hook into the back of the last loop of the last sc in the group of sc5tog in the previous star and pull up a loop.
- Insert the hook into the same st as the last loop of the previous star and pull up a loop, then yo and pull up a loop in each of next 2 sc sts (6 loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops, then ch 1 to lock in the st and create the eye.
- Repeat from the * across. At the end of the row, hdc into the last st (the same st as the last loop of the previous star), ch 1, turn.
Step 5: Repeat Rows 2 and 3
Repeat rows 2 and 3 through row 30 for dishcloth size, 44 for hand towel size, and 66 for large kitchen towel size, or through any other desired length. Here is where you can customize the length of the towels.
Step 6: Finishing
Secure and neatly weave in an loose ends (scroll down to step #7 before fastening off). Creating an edge is not necessary, unless you’d prefer to add one.
Step 7: Customization Tips
You can transform this towel into other practical kitchen items, such as a potholder, a trivet, or a placemat, by using thicker yarns.
Want a hanging loop? Add 15 to 20 chains on the finishing corner, slip stitch in each chain to make it sturdy, and fasten off to create a loop.
Explore More Home Decor Patterns
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