I have been very excited for this post … crochet edged tea towels are one of my favorite things and a pretty and easy way to add some color to your kitchen! So grab a towel and let’s get started …
Crochet Edged Tea Towel Pattern
Here’s what you will need:
- lightweight tea towel
- crochet thread
- sewing needle
- 2.5 mm hook
- scissors
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this free pattern: Crochet Abbreviations, U.S. to U.K. Crochet Conversion Chart.
Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue.
Before beginning, sew a blanket stitch across the edge of your towel using the tutorial here. If you prefer, an alternate option would be to use a sharp crochet hook to edge the blanket as I showed in my Quick and Easy Blanket Edgings post here.
Crochet edging is worked in a multiple of 8 + 1.
With wrong side of towel facing you, join crochet thread in first blanket stitch on right side.
Row 1: Ch 1 (does not count as stitch), sc evenly into blanket stitches along edge for a multiple of 8 + 1 stitches, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as stitch), work 1 sc in 1st st, *skip next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st, ch 2, skip next st, 3 dc in next st, skip next 2 sts, 1 sc in next, rep from * across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), *ch 1, work 1 dc in 2nd st of 3-dc group, ch 1, [1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc] in ch-2 sp, ch 1, work 1 dc in 2nd st of 3-dc group, ch 1, 1 dc in next sc, rep from * across, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1 (does not count as stitch), *work 1 sc in each st and ch-1 sp to next ch-2 sp, [1 sc, ch 3, 1 sc] in ch-2 sp, rep from * across.
Fasten off, weave in ends.
Here is a diagram of the pattern repeat in case it is easier for you to have a visual …
Block edging if desired… you can find my free tutorial on How to Block Knit and Crochet Items here.
For more edging patterns that can be used, see my Quick and Easy Blanket Edgings post here.
I have purchased tea towels from Joanne’s they are very nice quality however they are always white.
8 +1??? Tell me what that means…8 sc plus 1 sc? 9 sc? Never heard this term, thanks!
Hi Rose 🙂 This means that the increments of the stitch pattern are in 8s and the 1 is for the last stitch of the row. So if you are sewing a blanket stitch on the edge of a towel, you will want to make sure it is a multiple of 8 + 1, for example 41, 57, 73, etc. Make sense?
Love this! I’m using this as a housewarming gift for a friend. I was wondering…did you put the crochet border on 2 edges of the towel or on just 1 edge?
Love the edging. Will have to give it a try. Keep up the good work.
that is a great design
Hi Kara. I have my tea towels but am uncertain about the size crochet thread to use. Could you please share the name and size of crochet thread you used for this project? Thanks so much. Linda
Hi Linda 🙂 I used Size 10 crochet thread. Hope that helps!
thank y ou for pattern with GRAPH JUST what I needed
Très jolies les bordures, est ce que le blog peut recevoir la traduction en français ? merci d’avance pour votre réponse
Lovely edge, would make any tea towel look elegant!
Love these!! Where did you get those towels? All I can ever find is cheapy terry towels with nasty prints on them!!!
I actually got these at Marshalls 🙂
Kara,
These edges would even look great on curtains! Also, with the bright colors, it looks like you’re already for summer! (LOL)!
Oooh … What a nice idea!
Thanks for this tutorial. I have a question regarding crochet thread sizes. I have seen several patterns where gauge seems to matter, but the instructions don’t specify which size thread to use. At the craft stores, crochet thread comes in a variety of sizes, but on this pattern as well as a few others, the size is not listed. One response was that the thread didn’t have a size. Any suggestions?
These towels have the most cheery feeling in the world! I would love to try them. I crochet, but not often with thread. This looks like I might try it. My grandmothers put edging on everything! I miss those sweet hand towels, hankies, and cloths for drying dishes. Thanks for sharing!
Oh this is so pretty and you make it look very achievable as well. I love your colour choices.
Love, love, love !
Very, very nice. Thanks for sharing your pattern with us. 🙂
This is very pretty, the pattern could also be used to edge a blanket. On the blocking, is pinning all you do, or is there more to it? Thanks for all the great ideas and patterns you share.
Thanks so much, Linda! When I block, I pin my piece into shape and then spritz it with water and let dry. Hope that helps 🙂
This would also be pretty as an edging on sheets and/or pillow cases.
that’s a great border – thank you!
another alternative – most basic sewing machines have a blanket stitch and this also can be used. i’ve also had good results using the zig zag stitch if there’s not a blanket stitch option.
Great suggestions, Diane!