Buttercup Lane is a kitchen set with two matching parts. The first is a hanging cord holder that carries a paper towel roll and a hand towel on two wooden dowels. The second is a waffle-textured tea towel that drapes over the lower dowel. Both are trimmed with butter-yellow flowers and sage-green leaves.
The colors are soft and warm. Cream is used for the towel and cord, butter yellow for the petals and stripes, mustard gold for the flower centers, and sage for the leaves. The style is cottage-kitchen, simple and easy to wash.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished towel measures 11.5 x 18.5 in (29.2 x 47.0 cm). With the dowels in place, the assembled hanger is about 13 in wide x 17 in tall (33.0 x 43.2 cm).
The towel is worked flat from the bottom up in three stages: a striped half double crochet band, then a post-stitch waffle grid, then a two-round edging. The hanger is one long Romanian cord. Flowers and leaves are made separately and sewn on.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished towel: 11.5 x 18.5 in (29.2 x 47.0 cm)
- Hanger: about 13 x 17 in (33.0 x 43.2 cm), including dowels
- Skill level: Intermediate (front post stitches, Romanian cord)
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: #4 worsted, 100% cotton
- Hook: US H-8 (5.0 mm)
- Number of pieces: 31 (1 towel, 1 cord, 3 large flowers, 4 small flowers, 6 large leaves, 16 small leaves)
- Layout:
- Towel: one row of 3 flowers and 6 leaves above the stripes
- Hanger: 2 flowers and 4 leaf pairs per side
- Piece sizes:
- Large flower: 2 in (5.1 cm)
- Small flower: 1.5 in (3.8 cm)
- Large leaf: 1.5 in (3.8 cm)
- Small leaf: 1 in (2.5 cm)
- Cord: 52 in (132.1 cm) long and 3/8 in (1.0 cm) wide
- Towel before border: 11 x 18 in (27.9 x 45.7 cm)
- Border depth: 1/4 in (0.6 cm) per side
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted-weight cotton. Cotton absorbs water, handles hot washes and shows post-stitch texture clearly. The amounts below assume about 170 m per 100 g.
- Cream: 250 g, about 425 m (towel and cord)
- Butter yellow: 40 g, about 68 m (petals and stripes)
- Mustard gold: 10 g, about 17 m (flower centers)
- Sage green: 20 g, about 34 m (leaves)
All quantities include a margin of about 15-20%.
Tools:
- US H-8 (5.0 mm) hook
- 2 wooden dowels, each 13 in (33.0 cm) long and 5/8 in (1.6 cm) in diameter
- Tapestry needle and stitch markers
- Measuring tape
- Rust-proof pins and a blocking mat
- Scissors
- A sturdy wall hook
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- fpdc: front post double crochet
- MR: magic ring
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rnd: round
- RS / WS: right side / wrong side
Fpdc: Yarn over and insert the hook from front to back to front around the post of the next stitch in the row below. Yarn over and pull up a loop, then (yarn over, pull through 2 loops) twice. Skip the stitch behind the fpdc.
Romanian cord: Ch 2, then sc in the 2nd ch from the hook. Give the work a half turn counterclockwise, insert the hook into the strand now on the left, and sc. Give the work a half turn counterclockwise, insert the hook under the 2 strands on the left, and sc. Repeat from *. Each sc is one cord row.
Gauge and Checkpoints
- Waffle grid: 16 sts and 8 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Hdc: 16 sts and 12 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Cord: 5 rows = 1 in (2.5 cm)
Test one piece first. For the swatch, ch 22, then dc in the 3rd ch from the hook and in each ch across (20 sts). Work 9 more rows, alternating Row A and Row B from the towel pattern and starting with Row A. The swatch should measure 5 x 5 in (12.7 x 12.7 cm). Then make one large flower and check that it is 2 in (5.1 cm) across.
Checkpoints:
- After Row 1: 11 in (27.9 cm) wide
- After Row 9: 3 in (7.6 cm) tall
- After Row 19: 8 in (20.3 cm) tall
- After Row 39: 11 x 18 in (27.9 x 45.7 cm)
- After the border: 11.5 x 18.5 in (29.2 x 47.0 cm)
Too big? Go down one hook size. Too small? Go up one hook size. Correct the width at the swatch stage. You can change the height by adding or removing waffle rows in pairs. Keep the last row a Row A.
Towel
The towel is worked flat in rows. Turning chains do not count as stitches. Change color on the last yarn over of the previous row.
Foundation: With cream, ch 46.
Row 1 (RS): Hdc in the 3rd ch from the hook and in each ch across, turn. (44 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn. (44 hdc)
Row 3: With yellow, ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn. (44 hdc)
Row 4: With cream, repeat Row 2. (44 hdc)
Rows 5-6: With yellow, repeat Row 2. (44 hdc)
Rows 7-9: With cream, repeat Row 2. (44 hdc)
The band is now 3 in (7.6 cm) tall, with a thin yellow stripe below a wider two-row yellow stripe. Continue in cream.
Row 10 (WS), Row B: Ch 2, dc in each st across, turn. (44 dc)
Row 11 (RS), Row A: Ch 2, dc in the first st, fpdc around the next st, dc in the next 2 sts. Repeat from * 13 more times, then dc in the last st and turn. (44 sts: 14 fpdc, 30 dc)
Rows 12-39: Work even rows as Row B and odd rows as Row A, ending with Row A on Row 39. (44 sts)
On every RS row, the fpdc fall on sts 2, 5, 8 and so on. This stacks them into raised columns every 3 sts. Together with the flat WS rows, the columns make the square waffle grid. Fasten off.
Checkpoint: 39 rows measuring 11 x 18 in (27.9 x 45.7 cm).
Large Flowers (make 3)
Rnd 1: With gold, make a MR and work 10 sc into it. Pull the ring closed and sl st to the first sc. Fasten off. (10 sc)
Rnd 2: Join yellow with a sl st in any st. (Hdc, 3 dc, hdc) in the next st, sl st in the next st, (hdc, 3 dc, hdc) in the next st. Repeat from * 3 more times, then sl st to the joining st. Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. (30 sts: 5 petals of 5 sts, plus 5 sl sts)
The sl sts pull the edge in between petals. This separates the five rounded petals around a raised gold center. Each flower is 2 in (5.1 cm) across.
Small Flowers (make 4)
Work Rnd 1 as for the large flower.
Rnd 2: Join yellow with a sl st in any st. (Hdc, dc, hdc) in the next st, sl st in the next st, (hdc, dc, hdc) in the next st. Repeat from * 3 more times, then sl st to the joining st. Leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. (20 sts: 5 petals of 3 sts, plus 5 sl sts)
Each flower is 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across.
Large Leaves (make 6)
With sage, ch 7. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, then work hdc, dc, dc, hdc, sc in the next 5 ch. Ch 1 for the tip. Rotate and work along the other side of the chain in the same order: sc, hdc, dc, dc, hdc, sc. Sl st to the first sc and leave a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. (12 sts plus ch-1 tip)
The tall middle stitches make the oval shape, and the leaf narrows to a point at each end. Each leaf is 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long.
Small Leaves (make 16)
With sage, ch 5. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, then hdc, dc, sc in the next 3 ch, and ch 1. Rotate and work sc, dc, hdc, sc along the other side. Sl st to the first sc and leave an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail. (8 sts plus ch-1 tip)
Each leaf is 1 in (2.5 cm) long.
Hanger Cord
With cream, leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) starting tail. Work Romanian cord for about 260 rows, until it measures 52 in (132.1 cm) unstretched. Fasten off with a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
Hanging loop: Fold the cord in half and mark the center. Join cream at the center, ch 8, and sl st into the same spot. The loop stands about 3/4 in (1.9 cm) tall.
Each 26 in (66.0 cm) half of the cord is used in four sections, measured from the center:
- 0-10 in (0-25.4 cm): diagonal down to the upper dowel
- 10-14 in (25.4-35.6 cm): wrap around the upper dowel
- 14-22 in (35.6-55.9 cm): vertical drop between the dowels
- 22-26 in (55.9-66.0 cm): wrap around the lower dowel
Make All Pieces
| Piece | Colors | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Towel | cream, yellow | 1 |
| Hanger cord | cream | 1 |
| Large flower | gold, yellow | 3 |
| Small flower | gold, yellow | 4 |
| Large leaf | sage | 6 |
| Small leaf | sage | 16 |
Towel appliqué row (L = large leaf, F = large flower):
L L F L F L F L L
Each side of the hanger (F = small flower, LL = small leaf pair):
loop
F 2 in (5.1 cm) from center
LL 4.5 in (11.4 cm)
F 7 in (17.8 cm)
LL 9 in (22.9 cm)
[upper dowel wrap]
LL 2.5 in (6.4 cm) below wrap
LL 5.5 in (14.0 cm) below wrap
[lower dowel wrap]
Joining
Sew everything on with a tapestry needle and the yarn tails.
Towel appliqués:
- Lay the towel RS up.
- Center the middle flower 5.5 in (14.0 cm) from each side edge and 4.5 in (11.4 cm) above the bottom edge. This puts it 1.5 in (3.8 cm) above the striped band.
- Place the outer flowers on the same line, with their centers 2.75 in (7.0 cm) from the side edges.
- Add the leaves as shown in the layout row, keeping each one at least 1/2 in (1.3 cm) inside the side edges.
Stitch logic: sew one small stitch at each of the 5 sl sts between petals and one at each petal tip. Always go into a dc post of the waffle grid, not into the gaps between stitches. Sew each leaf down its center line, from the ch-1 tip to the base. Keep the tension snug but relaxed so the towel lies flat under the flowers.
Hanger appliqués: Sew each small flower to the front of the cord at its marked point, with 5 stitches at the sl sts. Sew each leaf pair so the bases meet under the cord and the tips angle outward.
Dowels:
- At the 10 in (25.4 cm) mark, wrap the cord twice around the upper dowel, 3/4 in (1.9 cm) in from the end.
- Tack the wraps with 3 stitches so they cannot slide.
- Let the 8 in (20.3 cm) section hang straight down.
- Wrap the cord twice around the lower dowel and sew the tail securely to the cord.
Checkpoint: the cords should sit 11.5 in (29.2 cm) apart on both dowels, and both dowels should hang level.
Border
This border is for the towel only. Border gauge: 4 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm), which matches the body’s 16 sts per 4 in.
Down each side edge, work 4 sc over every 3 hdc rows (12 sc for the band) and 2 sc in each dc row end (60 sc for the waffle grid). That makes 72 sc for 18 in (45.7 cm).
Rnd 1 (RS):
- Join cream at the top edge with RS facing and ch 1.
- Top edge: 3 sc in the first st, sc in the next 42 sts, 3 sc in the last st.
- First side: 72 sc into the row ends.
- Bottom edge, in the free loops of the foundation chain: 3 sc in the first ch, sc in the next 42 ch, 3 sc in the last ch.
- Second side: 72 sc into the row ends.
- Sl st to the first sc. (240 sc)
The corner st is the middle sc of each 3-sc group. Between corners, the top and bottom have 44 sc each: 1 + 42 + 1. The sides have 74 sc each: 1 + 72 + 1. Including corners, each side counts 46 or 76. Total: 44 + 44 + 74 + 74 + 4 = 240.
Rnd 2: Ch 1 and sl st loosely in each st around. Sl st to the first st and fasten off. (240 sl sts)
Why it works: the edge stitches come out at 4 sc per inch, so nothing ruffles or pulls in. The 3-sc groups give the corners the extra length they need to turn flat. The border adds 1/4 in (0.6 cm) per side, for a finished towel of 11.5 x 18.5 in (29.2 x 47.0 cm).
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends securely.
- Soak the towel in cool water for 10 minutes, then press out the water without wringing.
- Pin it to 11.5 x 18.5 in (29.2 x 47.0 cm), with square corners.
- Shape each petal and leaf tip with your fingers.
- Let it dry completely, about 24 hours.
- Mist the hanger cord and hang it with a roll in place so it dries straight.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The towel measures 11.5 x 18.5 in (29.2 x 47.0 cm).
- Every row has 44 sts, and the fpdc columns line up.
- The stripe order is 2 cream, 1 yellow, 1 cream, 2 yellow, 3 cream.
- The border has 240 sts and lies flat.
- The flower row is level and centered.
- The cord measured 52 in (132.1 cm) before assembly.
- Both dowels hang level and the wraps do not slip.
Troubleshooting
- Towel narrows: You are probably missing the last st. Mark the first and last sts of each row.
- Fpdc columns drift: On every Row A, the first fpdc must be the 2nd st.
- Border ruffles: There are too many sc on the sides. Work 72 sc into the row ends.
- Border pulls in: There are too few sc, or your tension is tight.
- Petals blur together: Make sure each sl st goes into its own st.
- Cord twists: Always turn in the same direction.
- Dowel tilts: Remeasure each section from the center mark and redo the wraps.
Care
Machine wash the towel warm on a gentle cycle and lay it flat to dry, reshaping the flowers. Hand wash the cord only when needed and hang it to dry.
Final Notes
Here is the measurement chain:
- 16 sts per 4 in gives 44 sts and 11 in (27.9 cm) of width.
- 9 hdc rows and 30 waffle rows give 18 in (45.7 cm) of height.
- A 240-st border brings the towel to 11.5 x 18.5 in (29.2 x 47.0 cm).
- The 52 in (132.1 cm) cord splits into two 26 in (66.0 cm) halves that carry both dowels.
Check your gauge first and count often, and the finished set will match these sizes.
Happy crocheting!