This set brings a little spring garden into the kitchen. A cream braided cord hangs from a single hook, wraps around two wooden dowels, and holds a paper towel roll on top and a matching towel below. Small lilac flowers and sage leaf pairs climb both legs of the cord.
The towel is worked in a dense cream moss stitch that looks like a fine woven grid and stands up to daily use. Both short ends get a lilac band and a row of soft scallops. One end carries three larger flowers and four leaves, so that end sits at the front when the towel hangs.
The palette is cream, medium lilac, light lilac, sage green, and a touch of pale yellow for the flower centers. The style is cottage-kitchen, with simple shapes and clean edges. The pattern uses US crochet terms throughout.
The towel finishes at 9 in x 15.5 in (22.9 cm x 39.4 cm). The hanger is about 12 in (30.5 cm) wide (the dowel length) and about 12 in (30.5 cm) tall. You make the towel in rows and add the scalloped border. Then you crochet one long Romanian cord, make the flowers and leaves, and sew everything together.
Finished Size and Construction
- Towel size: 9 in x 15.5 in (22.9 cm x 39.4 cm)
- Hanger size: about 12 in x 12 in (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm), including the hanging loop
- Skill level: Easy-Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Number of pieces: 1 towel, 1 cord, 3 large flowers, 4 large leaves, 8 small flowers, 12 small leaves
- Layout: towel flowers in one row across the front end; cord flowers and leaves along both legs
- Piece sizes: large flower 1.75 in (4.4 cm); small flower 1 in (2.5 cm); large leaf 1.5 in (3.8 cm); small leaf 1 in (2.5 cm)
- Towel size before border: 9 in x 14 in (22.9 cm x 35.6 cm)
- Border depth: 0.75 in (1.9 cm) on each short end
Materials
Use a 100% cotton worsted yarn. Cotton soaks up water, washes well, and keeps the moss stitch and the cord firm. The meters below assume a typical cotton worsted of about 1.5 m per gram.
- Color A, Cream: 150 g, about 225 m (towel and cord)
- Color B, Lilac: 25 g, about 38 m (border, 4 small flowers, 2 large flowers)
- Color C, Light Lilac: 10 g, about 15 m (4 small flowers, 1 large flower)
- Color D, Sage Green: 15 g, about 23 m (all leaves)
- Color E, Pale Yellow: 5 g, about 8 m (flower centers)
All quantities include a margin of roughly 20% for swatching and sewing tails.
Tools:
- 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook
- 2 wooden dowels, 12 in (30.5 cm) long, 0.75 in (1.9 cm) diameter
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers (at least 10)
- Rustproof pins
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- A small wall hook
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sk – skip
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp – space
- MR – magic ring
Moss stitch (this pattern): rows of sc and ch-1 sps. After each ch 1 you skip one st and sc in the next, so every sc lands in a ch-1 sp and every ch-1 sits over a sc. Each sc and each ch-1 counts as one st.
Romanian cord: Ch 2, sc in 2nd ch from hook (row 1). Turn the work clockwise like a page, insert the hook into the single loop now on the left side, and sc (row 2). Turn clockwise again, insert the hook under the 2 loops now on the left side, and sc. Repeat this last step for every row. Each sc is one row.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Towel gauge: 16 sts and 18 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm) in moss stitch.
Cord gauge: 3 rows = 1 in (2.5 cm) of Romanian cord.
Test one piece first. Make one large flower before anything else. It should measure 1.75 in (4.4 cm) across. Then start the towel and check:
- After Row 1: width is 9 in (22.9 cm).
- After Row 18: length is 4 in (10.2 cm).
- After Row 63: length is 14 in (35.6 cm).
- After the border: total length is 15.5 in (39.4 cm).
- Cord after 9 rows: 3 in (7.6 cm).
If your towel is too wide or the flower too big, go down to a 4 mm hook. If it is too narrow or the flower too small, go up to a 5 mm hook. Row gauge matters on the cord because each section is placed by row count.
Towel
With Color A, ch 37.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (36 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first sc, ch 1, sk next st, sc in next st 17 times, sc in last st. (36 sts: 19 sc + 17 ch-1 sps)
Rows 3–63: Repeat Row 2. (36 sts in every row)
Each row uses 1 st + (17 x 2) sts + 1 st = 36 sts, so the count never drifts. Each row’s ch-1 lands over the previous row’s sc, and each sc lands in a ch-1 sp. That offset creates the grid texture.
At the end of Row 63 the towel measures 9 in x 14 in (22.9 cm x 35.6 cm). Fasten off and weave in ends.
Large Flowers (make 3)
Round 1: With Color E, MR, ch 1, 10 sc in ring, pull ring closed, sl st to first sc. (10 sts) Fasten off.
Round 2: Join Color B (or C) with a sl st in any sc; this counts as the first sl st. (Hdc, 3 dc, hdc) in next sc. Sl st in next sc, (hdc, 3 dc, hdc) in next sc 4 times. Sl st in joining sl st. (30 sts: 5 petals of 5 sts + 5 sl sts)
Fasten off, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail for sewing. The flower measures 1.75 in (4.4 cm).
Small Flowers (make 8)
Round 1: With Color E, MR, ch 1, 5 sc in ring, pull closed, sl st to first sc. (5 sts) Fasten off.
Round 2: Join Color B (or C) in any sc. In each sc around: (sl st, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st). (5 petals of 2 dc each) Sl st to first sl st.
Fasten off with an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail. The flower measures 1 in (2.5 cm).
Leaves
Large leaf (make 4): With Color D, ch 7. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in each of next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working along the other side of the chain: hdc in next ch, dc in each of next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch. Sl st in the skipped ch at the tip. (13 sts + sl st) The leaf measures 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
Small leaf (make 12): With Color D, ch 5. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, 3 hdc in last ch. Working along the other side: dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch. Sl st in the skipped ch at the tip. (9 sts + sl st) The leaf measures 1 in (2.5 cm).
The tallest sts sit in the middle of each side, so the leaf is widest in the center and pointed at the tip. The 3-st end is the rounded base.
Cord
With Color A, work Romanian cord for 114 rows. The cord measures 38 in (96.5 cm). Place markers at these row boundaries so each section is easy to find:
- Rows 1–9: lower loop, leg 1 (3 in / 7.6 cm)
- Rows 10–18: drop, leg 1 (3 in / 7.6 cm)
- Rows 19–27: upper wrap, leg 1 (3 in / 7.6 cm)
- Rows 28–54: slant, leg 1 (9 in / 22.9 cm)
- Rows 55–60: hanging loop (2 in / 5.1 cm)
- Rows 61–87: slant, leg 2 (9 in / 22.9 cm)
- Rows 88–96: upper wrap, leg 2 (3 in / 7.6 cm)
- Rows 97–105: drop, leg 2 (3 in / 7.6 cm)
- Rows 106–114: lower loop, leg 2 (3 in / 7.6 cm)
Check: 9 + 9 + 9 + 27 + 6 + 27 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 114 rows, and 114 ÷ 3 = 38 in (96.5 cm). Each leg is 18 in (45.7 cm). Fasten off with a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
Make All Pieces
| Piece | Color | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Towel | A | 1 |
| Cord | A | 1 |
| Large flower | E center, B petals | 2 |
| Large flower | E center, C petals | 1 |
| Small flower | E center, B petals | 4 |
| Small flower | E center, C petals | 4 |
| Large leaf | D | 4 |
| Small leaf | D | 12 |
Towel front end layout (L = large leaf, F = large flower, B = Lilac, C = Light Lilac):
L F(B) L F(C) L F(B) L
~~~~~~~~ lilac scallops ~~~~~~~~
Each cord leg, top to bottom (f = small flower, l-l = small leaf pair):
hanging loop
f
l-l
f
l-l
f
f <- on upper wrap, over the seam
l-l <- on drop
lower loop
Alternate B and C small flowers down each leg.
Joining
Sew every join with yarn tails and a tapestry needle.
Hanging loop: Fold rows 55–60 into a loop. Lay row 54 and row 61 side by side and whipstitch them together through both cords for 0.5 in (1.3 cm). The loop stands about 1 in (2.5 cm) tall.
Upper wraps: Slide the upper dowel through the paper towel roll. Wrap rows 19–27 once around one end of the dowel, 0.5 in (1.3 cm) in from the end. Sew the cord where row 18 crosses row 28, just below the dowel. Repeat with rows 88–96 at the other end, sewing where row 87 crosses row 97.
Lower loops: Wrap rows 1–9 around one end of the lower dowel and sew row 1 to the back of row 10. Repeat with rows 106–114, sewing row 114 to the back of row 105.
Size checkpoint: Hang the piece. The two slants should meet at the hanging loop, the dowels should hang level, and the drop between the dowels should be 3 in (7.6 cm). If one side hangs lower, unpick that wrap and shift it by one row.
Cord flowers and leaves: First sew a flower over the seam at each upper wrap. Then sew the other 3 flowers on each slant every 2 in (5.1 cm), which is every 6 rows. Center a leaf pair between flowers, tips pointing outward. Sew one leaf pair at the middle of each drop.
Towel appliqués: Pin the 7 pieces in the layout row, 1.5 in (3.8 cm) above the top of the scallops, centered across the 9 in (22.9 cm) width. Tilt the leaves about 45 degrees so the row fits with a 0.5 in (1.3 cm) margin at each side.
Sew each piece with small stitches through its outer loops, catching one strand of the towel each time. Keep the tension relaxed, because pulling too hard makes the moss fabric pucker around each flower. Tack the petal tips down so they don’t flip up in the wash.
Border
Work the border on each short end of the towel. Border gauge: 4 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Border Row 1: With the right side facing, join Color B in the first st of the short end. Ch 1, sc in each of the 36 sts across, working 2 sc in the last st. (36 + 1 = 37 sc)
Border Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first sc. Sk next sc, 5 dc in next sc, sk next sc, sc in next sc 9 times. (9 scallops; 37 sts used) Fasten off.
Repeat on the other short end, working into the foundation chain side of Row 1.
Why the math works: each scallop uses 4 sts (skip, shell, skip, sc), and the row needs one extra sc to start. That gives 4 x 9 + 1 = 37. The single extra sc in Border Row 1 sets this up without changing the width, so the towel still blocks to 9 in (22.9 cm). Border Row 1 adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm) and the scallops add 0.5 in (1.3 cm), so each end grows by 0.75 in (1.9 cm). Total length: 14 + 0.75 + 0.75 = 15.5 in (39.4 cm).
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends before blocking.
- Soak the towel in cool water for 10 minutes. Roll it in a dry towel and press out the water; do not wring.
- Lay it flat on a blocking mat. Pin to 9 in x 15.5 in (22.9 cm x 39.4 cm).
- Pin each scallop at its peak so they curve evenly.
- Press each flower and leaf flat with your fingers while damp.
- Let it dry completely, at least 24 hours.
- For the hanger, lay it flat, mist the flowers and leaves lightly, and let it dry.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Towel measures 9 in x 15.5 in (22.9 cm x 39.4 cm).
- Every towel row has 36 sts, and the edges are straight.
- Each end has 9 even scallops.
- 3 large flowers and 4 large leaves sit in a straight, centered row.
- Cord measures 38 in (96.5 cm) before assembly.
- Both legs are the same length and the dowels hang level.
- 8 small flowers and 6 leaf pairs are secure on the cord.
- All tails are woven in and hidden.
Troubleshooting
Towel edges wave or slant: You probably missed the last sc of a row. Count 36 sts every few rows.
Scallops ruffle: The shells are too full for your tension. Work (hdc, 3 dc, hdc) instead of 5 dc.
Flower center has a hole: Pull the magic ring tighter and weave the tail through the center sts.
Leaves curl: Pin them flat while damp, or go down a hook size for the leaves only.
Cord twists: Turn in the same direction every row. A twist usually means one turn went the wrong way.
Hanger tilts: Unpick the upper wrap on the high side and shift it by one row.
Care
Take the towel off the dowel, machine wash it on a cold, gentle cycle, and lay it flat to dry. Spot clean the hanger, or take out the dowels and hand wash it.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is simple. At 16 sts per 4 in (10.2 cm), 36 sts make a 9 in (22.9 cm) wide towel. At 18 rows per 4 in, 63 rows make it 14 in (35.6 cm) long. Two 0.75 in (1.9 cm) borders bring it to 15.5 in (39.4 cm). On the hanger, 3 rows per inch turns 114 rows into a 38 in (96.5 cm) cord, and row markers set each 18 in (45.7 cm) leg. Check each stage and the finished set will hang straight and fit together cleanly.
Happy crocheting!