Crochet Towel Topper: A Button-On Kitchen Towel Holder
A crochet topper sewn to half a hand towel, with a strap that buttons around the oven door or a drawer handle so the towel never falls on the floor. The traditional country-kitchen classic, step by step.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) cotton, about 40 yd
- Hook
- 4.5 mm (7)
- Time
- About 1½ hours
- Finished size
- Topper about 6 in wide, strap about 6 in
You'll need
- Worsted (#4) cotton — about 40 yd
- 4.5 mm (7) hook
- One hand towel (cut in half makes two)
- Sewing needle and thread
- One 1-inch button
- Scissors
In this post
A towel topper is a crochet strap attached to a hand towel, with a buttonhole so it buttons around a handle. The towel is cut in half, gathered and stitched into the bottom of the topper; the topper narrows into a strap that wraps over the oven door handle or a cupboard knob and buttons on. One towel makes two toppers.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Prepare the towel
- Cut a hand towel in half across its width.
- Fold the raw edge under ½ in and stitch it down.
- Run a gathering stitch (long running stitches) along the folded edge with strong thread. Pull to gather it to 6 in wide and knot.
Topper
- Row 1: Ch 27. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and across. Ch 1, turn. (26)
- Rows 2–4: Sc across. Ch 1, turn. (26)
- Rows 5–12: Sc2tog, sc across, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (10)
- Strap, rows 13–34: Sc across. Ch 1, turn. (10)
- Buttonhole, row 35: Sc 4, ch 2, skip 2, sc 4. Ch 1, turn.
- Row 36: Sc 4, 2 sc in the ch-2 space, sc 4. (10)
- Row 37–38: Sc2tog at each end of each row to round the tip. Fasten off. (6)
- Edge: Sc around the whole topper for a neat finish.
Attach
- Lay the gathered towel edge along the bottom (Row 1) of the topper, on the wrong side.
- With sewing thread, stitch the gathered edge firmly to the back of Row 1 — two rows of stitches are stronger than one.
- Wrap the strap around a handle, mark where the buttonhole lands, and sew the button to the front of the topper there.
Variations
| Version | Change |
|---|---|
| No-sew (crochet into the towel) | Punch holes ½ in apart along the towel edge with an awl and work Row 1 of sc directly into them |
| Loop topper | Replace the button with a 20-chain loop to hang on a hook |
| Seasonal | Red and green for Christmas, rust for fall |
Kitchen set: dishcloths, pot holders and a bag holder.
Common questions
What is a crochet towel topper?
A crochet strap attached to a hand towel that buttons around an oven or drawer handle, so the towel hangs neatly and doesn't fall off.
Do I have to cut the towel?
No. You can fold a whole towel in half and attach the topper at the fold, but half a towel hangs more neatly and you get two toppers from one towel.
Can I wash it?
Yes. Unbutton and wash it with your towels — cotton topper and towel both go in the machine.
Oven door or cupboard knob? 🍽️
Did you make this?
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