This hanger turns two plain wooden dowels into a cottage-style kitchen station. Two braided cream cords meet in a peak at the top and wrap around both dowels. Periwinkle five-petal flowers with butter-yellow centers and sage-green leaf pairs are sewn along the cords. A matching cream waffle-stitch tea towel with wavy stripes hangs from the lower bar.
The colors are soft and fresh: cream, periwinkle blue, butter yellow, and sage green. This pattern uses US crochet terms throughout. The finished hanger is 14 in (35.6 cm) wide and about 17 in (43.2 cm) tall from the top of the hanging loop to the lower dowel. The finished towel is 10.5 in x 18.5 in (26.7 cm x 47.0 cm).
The set is built in simple parts. You make 8 flowers, 12 leaves and two identical Romanian cords. The cords are sewn together at the peak and folded into loops around the dowels, then the flowers and leaves are sewn on top. The towel is worked from the bottom up. A ripple band forms the scalloped hem, one conversion row straightens the top of the waves, then comes the waffle-stitch body and a two-round border.
Finished Size and Construction
- Hanger size: 14 in (35.6 cm) wide x about 17 in (43.2 cm) tall
- Towel size: 10.5 in x 18.5 in (26.7 cm x 47.0 cm)
- Skill level: Intermediate (post stitches, Romanian cord)
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hooks: 3.5 mm (E/4), 4.0 mm (G/6), 5.0 mm (H/8)
- Number of pieces: 23 (2 cords, 8 flowers, 12 leaves, 1 towel)
- Layout: Cords form an upside-down V, with 4 flowers and 3 leaf pairs on each side
- Piece sizes: flower 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across; leaf 1.25 in (3.2 cm) long; cord 23.5 in (59.7 cm) long and 3/8 in (1.0 cm) wide
- Towel size before border: 10 in x 18 in (25.4 cm x 45.7 cm)
- Border depth: 1/4 in (0.6 cm) on every edge
Materials
Use a smooth worsted cotton, either mercerized or soft. Cotton makes the towel absorbent and gives the cords a firm, crisp braid. The amounts below assume about 87 m per 50 g.
- Cream: 170 g (296 m) – towel, cords, border
- Periwinkle blue: 40 g (70 m) – flower petals, towel stripes
- Butter yellow: 15 g (26 m) – flower centers, towel stripe
- Sage green: 20 g (35 m) – leaves
These amounts include extra yarn for swatches and sewing tails.
Tools:
- 3.5 mm (E/4) hook for flowers and leaves
- 4.0 mm (G/6) hook for cords
- 5.0 mm (H/8) hook for the towel
- Two wooden dowels, 5/8 in (1.6 cm) thick and 14 in (35.6 cm) long
- Tapestry needle, scissors, 8 stitch markers
- Blocking mat, rust-proof pins, spray bottle
- A wall hook or nail for hanging
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- MR – magic ring
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
- rev sc – reverse single crochet (sc worked left to right)
Special stitches:
- FPdc (front post double crochet): Yo, insert the hook from front to back to front around the post of the stitch, yo, pull up a loop, (yo, pull through 2 loops) twice.
- dc2tog / dc3tog: Work (yo, insert hook in next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops) over 2 or 3 sts, then yo and pull through all loops on the hook.
- Romanian cord: Ch 2, sc in 2nd ch from hook. Turn the work clockwise like a book page and sc into the side loop of the ch. Turn clockwise again, insert the hook under the 2 loops now on the left edge facing you, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through both loops. Each repeat is one “turn.” This makes a flat cord that looks braided.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Make one test piece of each type before you start the full set.
- Flower (3.5 mm): 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across, from petal tip to petal tip
- Leaf (3.5 mm): 1.25 in (3.2 cm) long
- Cord (4.0 mm): 4 turns = 1 in (2.5 cm); width 3/8 in (1.0 cm)
- Towel (5.0 mm): 15 sts and 9 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm) in waffle stitch
Towel checkpoints:
- After Row 10: 10 in (25.4 cm) wide and 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall at the peaks
- After Row 41: 10 in x 18 in (25.4 cm x 45.7 cm)
- After the border: 10.5 in x 18.5 in (26.7 cm x 47.0 cm)
If your swatch is too big, go down 0.5 mm in hook size. If it is too small, go up 0.5 mm. For the cord, length matters more than width. If your first 44 turns are much longer or shorter than 11 in (27.9 cm), change hook size so the cord meets that length. Then make both cords the same number of turns.
Part 1: Flowers (make 8)
Use the 3.5 mm hook.
Round 1 (yellow): MR, ch 1, 10 sc in ring, sl st to first sc. (10 sts) Pull the ring closed and fasten off.
Round 2 (blue): Join blue in any sc. (Sl st, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, (2 dc, ch 2, sl st) in next st. Rep from * 4 more times, sl st to first sl st. (5 petals, each with 4 dc)
The sl st at each end of a petal makes the deep notch between petals. Fasten off, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail for sewing. Weave in the yellow ends.
Part 2: Leaves (make 12)
Use the 3.5 mm hook and green.
Ch 8. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 chs, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch. (Sc, ch 2, sc) in last ch for the tip. Now work along the other side of the starting chain: sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 chs, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch. Sl st to first sc. (14 sts plus ch-2 tip)
The starting chain forms a center vein down the leaf. Fasten off, leaving an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail.
Leaf pairs: Place two leaves base to base so they open into a 60-degree V. Whipstitch the bases together through 2 sts on each leaf. Make 6 pairs.
Part 3: Cords (make 2)
Use the 4.0 mm hook and cream.
Work Romanian cord for 94 turns, about 23.5 in (59.7 cm). Leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
Count from the starting end, which becomes the peak, and place markers at:
- Turn 44 – 11 in (27.9 cm); end of the diagonal
- Turn 58 – start of the straight drop
- Turn 80 – start of the lower loop
- Turn 94 – the last turn
Both cords must have exactly 94 turns. Lay them side by side to check.
Part 4: Tea Towel
Use the 5.0 mm hook. The ch-2 or ch-4 at the start of each row counts as a stitch.
Row 1 (cream): Ch 38. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (37 sts) Turn.
Ripple Row: Ch 2, dc in next st (counts as dc2tog). Dc in next 4 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts, dc3tog. Rep from * once more. Dc in next 4 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog over last 2 sts. (37 sts) Turn.
Each Ripple Row has 3 peaks and 4 valleys, counting each edge as half a valley. Each 3-dc group goes into the center dc of a peak from the row below. Each dc3tog is centered on a valley from the row below.
Rows 2–9: Work the Ripple Row in the color order below. Change color on the last yo of the row before.
- Row 2: cream
- Rows 3–4: blue
- Row 5: cream
- Row 6: yellow
- Row 7: cream
- Rows 8–9: blue
(37 sts each row)
Row 10 – conversion row (cream): Ch 4 (counts as tr), dc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts. Tr in next st, dc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts. Rep from * once more. 2 tr in last st. Turn.
Count: 37 sts worked 1 into each existing st + 1 extra tr = 38 sts. Tall stitches fill the valleys and sc sit on the peaks, so the top edge is now straight. Checkpoint: 10 in (25.4 cm) wide and 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall.
Row 11 (Row A): Ch 2, FPdc around next st, dc in next 2 sts. Rep from * 11 more times. Dc in top of the ch-4 that started Row 10. (38 sts) Turn.
Row 12 (Row B): Ch 2, FPdc around next 2 sts, dc in next st. Rep from * 11 more times. Dc in top of the ch-2 that started Row 11. (38 sts) Turn.
Row B puts post stitches around Row A’s dc and plain dc into Row A’s FPdc. This builds the raised waffle grid.
Rows 13–41: Alternate Rows A and B, ending with a Row A on Row 41. (38 sts each row; 31 waffle rows in total) Do not fasten off.
Checkpoint: 10 in x 18 in (25.4 cm x 45.7 cm).
Make All Pieces
| Piece | Color | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Flower | Yellow center, blue petals | 8 |
| Leaf | Green | 12 (6 pairs) |
| Cord | Cream | 2 |
| Towel | Cream, blue, yellow | 1 |
Layout grid (each side, from the peak down):
Turn 1 PEAK – cords joined, hanging loop
Turn 6 [Flower]
Turn 13 [Leaf pair]
Turn 20 [Flower]
Turn 27 [Leaf pair]
Turn 34 [Flower]
Turn 44 [Flower] – covers the upper dowel tack
Turn 69 [Leaf pair]
Turn 80 lower dowel loop (no flowers or leaves)
Mirror this layout on the second cord so both sides match.
Joining
Peak: Overlap the first 3 turns of the two cords so they form an upside-down V. Whipstitch through both cords, turn to turn, using the cream tail. With the 4.0 mm hook, join cream at the peak, ch 10, and sl st in the same spot. This makes a 1.5 in (3.8 cm) hanging loop. Fasten off.
Upper dowel loop: Wrap turns 44–58 around the upper dowel, 0.5 in (1.3 cm) in from the end. Tack turn 44 to turn 58 with 4 small stitches through the center of each cord. The loop is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) long, which leaves room to slide it over the 5/8 in (1.6 cm) dowel.
Lower dowel loop: Wrap turns 80–94 around the lower dowel. Tack turn 94 to turn 80 the same way, then weave the tail into the cord.
Flowers and leaves: Sew each flower to the center line of the cord through its 10 yellow center sts, one stitch into each cord turn it covers. Then tack two opposite petal notches to the cord edges so the flower lies flat. Sew each leaf pair through its joined base into 2 cord turns. On the diagonal, the V opens upward. On the straight drop, it opens outward.
Tension: Keep sewing stitches snug but not tight. If the cord puckers, the diagonal gets shorter and the hanger tilts.
Size checkpoint: Hang the hanger before adding the roll or towel. Both diagonals should measure 11 in (27.9 cm). The dowels should hang level, with the cords 13 in (33.0 cm) apart.
Border (Towel)
Border gauge: 18 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm). The 3-sc corner groups are counted separately from the side counts below.
Use the 5.0 mm hook and cream, continuing from Row 41.
Round 1: Ch 1. 3 sc in first st (corner), sc in next 36 sts, 3 sc in last st (corner). Down the first side: 2 sc in each row end of Rows 41–2 (80 sc), then 1 sc in the row end of Row 1. (81 sc) Along the starting chain: 3 sc in first ch (corner), sc in next 35 chs, 3 sc in last ch (corner). Up the second side: 81 sc. Sl st to first sc.
Count: top 36 + bottom 35 + sides 81 + 81 + corners 4 x 3 = 245 sts.
Round 2: Ch 1, rev sc in each st around. (245 sts) Sl st to first st and fasten off.
Why the math works: Each waffle or ripple row is about 0.45 in (1.1 cm) tall. Working 2 sc per row end gives about 4.5 sc per inch, which matches the border gauge and keeps the sides flat. The top and bottom get 1 sc per stitch, so the width matches the body’s 38 sts. Working the bottom into the starting chain keeps the scallops.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends on the towel, flowers and leaves.
- Wet the towel thoroughly. Squeeze out the water without wringing.
- Pin the towel to 10.5 in x 18.5 in (26.7 cm x 47.0 cm), with a pin at each scallop peak.
- Mist the flowers and leaves, then pin each one flat with the petals open.
- Steam the cords lightly and lay them straight.
- Let everything dry completely before you assemble or hang it.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- 8 flowers, each 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across with 5 petals
- 12 leaves, each 1.25 in (3.2 cm) long, joined into 6 pairs
- Both cords are 94 turns long
- Both diagonals are the same length and the dowels hang level
- The towel has 38 sts per row and measures 10.5 in x 18.5 in (26.7 cm x 47.0 cm)
- The ripple peaks line up through all the stripes
- Both border rounds have 245 sts
Troubleshooting
- Ripple shifts sideways: A 3-dc group missed the center stitch of the peak. Recount 12 stitches per repeat.
- Towel edges pull in: Check the turning chain. It counts as a stitch, and the last dc of the next row goes into it.
- Waffle looks flat: You worked into the tops of the stitches instead of around the posts.
- Cord twists: You turned counterclockwise on some repeats. Always turn the same way.
- Hanger tilts: One loop or diagonal is longer than the other. Recount the turns and re-tack.
- Petals curl up: Block them flat, or use a hook 0.5 mm larger for Round 2.
Care
Hand wash the towel in cool water and dry it flat. Spot-clean the hanger, and reshape the flowers while they are damp.
Final Notes
Each measurement depends on the one before it. Your gauge sets the 1.5 in (3.8 cm) flowers and the 4-turns-per-inch cord. Cords of 94 turns give 11 in (27.9 cm) diagonals and level dowels. On the towel, 37 ripple stitches convert to 38, and Row 41 reaches 10 in x 18 in (25.4 cm x 45.7 cm). The 245-stitch border brings it to 10.5 in x 18.5 in (26.7 cm x 47.0 cm). Check each step as you go and the whole set will come together evenly.
Happy crocheting!