Free Pattern: Keyhole Hanging Towel
I’ve made a few towels with a keyhole opening, and they are really popular in my house because nobody has to do up a button to get the towel to stay put. Boys! lol
This version uses a herringbone half double crochet stitch for a pretty texture, with simple double crochet rows mixed in for an open ladder look. If you prefer, you could substitute a regular hdc for the herringbone half double crochet.
The keyhole opening lets you slip one end of the towel through the other, so it can hang from a stove handle, refrigerator handle or anywhere else you need a towel that won’t wander off.
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Materials & Details
Yarn: 320-340 yds worsted weight COTTON yarn
Yarn used in the main sample:
- Color A – Cream: 140 yds Sugar & Cream Ecru
- Color B – Yellow: 120 yds Sugar ‘n Cream Yellow
- Color C – Green: 80 yds Sugar ‘n Cream Sage
Crochet Hook: I (5.5mm)
Notions: Yarn needle for weaving in ends
Optional: Measuring tape, scissors
Finished Measurements: 10.5” wide x 28” long (full length)
Gauge: not needed for this project.
💡 Pattern Tips
- First stitch of each row is worked into the same stitch as the turning chain.
- Numbers at the beginning of each line may refer to steps and not indicate number of rows.
- Stitch count remains the same unless noted at end of row/round.
- If you have any questions about this pattern, please contact [email protected].
Special Stitch
Herringbone Half Double Crochet (HHDC): Yarn over and insert the hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull the loop through the stitch AND through the first loop on the hook. Two loops remain on hook. Yarn over again and pull the loop through both loops on the hook.
Need a little extra help with this stitch? See a photo tutorial and video for the HHDC.
Directions
This project is worked from one long side to the other.
Each row starts with a “ch 1”, even the hdc and dc rows. No this is not a typo. I tried it with a ch 2 and it was bulgy at the edges. Notice how straight the edges are on the finished cloth!
This piece is created by repeating 3 rows, one hhdc row, one dc row and one hhdc row. I LOVE the look this sequence created and how a simple row of DC added an open ladder appearance.
The directions are written for the color changes as shown, but feel free to add more or less rows. If so, I suggest changing colors between the two hhdc rows that end up next to each other.
1. With an I hook and color A (cream yarn in sample), ch 87, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (86sts)
2. Ch 1, turn, hdc in same st, hhdc (see “special stitches” above) in each st until 1 st remains, hdc in last st.
3. Ch 1, turn, dc in same st and in each st to end of row.
4. Ch 1, turn, hdc in same st, hhdc (see “special stitches” above) in each st until 1 st remains, hdc in last st.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 two more times.
6. Change to color B (yellow yarn in sample). Ch 1, turn, hdc in same st, hhdc in each st until 1 st remains, hdc in last st.
7. Ch 1, turn, dc in same st and in each st to end of row.
8. This step creates the keyhole opening. Ch 1, turn, hdc in same st, hhdc 36, sc, ch 10, sk 10, sc, hhdc 36, hdc in last st.
9. Ch 1, turn, hdc in same st, hhdc 37, sc 10 around ch, hhdc 37, hdc in last st.
10. Ch 1, turn, dc in same st and in each st to end of row.
11. Ch 1, turn, hdc in same st, hhdc in each st until 1 st remains, hdc in last st.
12. Ch 1, turn, hdc in same st, hhdc in each st until 1 st remains, hdc in last st.
13. Ch 1, turn, dc in same st and in each st to end of row.
14. Ch 1, turn, hdc in same st, hhdc in each st until 1 st remains, hdc in last st.
15. Change to color C (green yarn in sample). Ch 1, turn, hdc in same st, hhdc in each st until 1 st remains, hdc in last st.
16. Ch 1, turn, dc in same st and in each st to end of row.
17. Ch 1, turn, hdc in same st, hhdc in each st until 1 st remains, hdc in last st.
18. Change to color A (cream yarn in sample). Ch 1, turn, hdc in same st, hhdc in each st until 1 st remains, hdc in last st.
19. Ch 1, turn, dc in same st and in each st to end of row.
20. Ch 1, turn, hdc in same st, hhdc in each st until 1 st remains, hdc in last st. Finish off and weave in ends.
🎉 Your Hanging Towel Is Finished!
Slip one end through the keyhole and hang it from a stove, refrigerator or cabinet handle. No button required!
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