While I was designing my Ghost Kitchen Towel for the Spooky Halloween Mini-Mystery Crochet Along, I was also thinking about which character towel I would design next. Heidi had posted a photo of her Frankenstein Candy Bowl (you can find the free crochet pattern here) in the A Crocheted Simplicity Crochet Community Group on Facebook and I knew right away that this was to be the next character in my crochet kitchen towel series. You can find the free crochet pattern for the Frankenstein's Monster Kitchen Towel in this post below, or an ad-free print friendly version on Love Crafts here, Ravelry here, or on Etsy here.
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Crochet Character Keyhole Towels
Since designing my first crochet Christmas towel, I've received requests for all sorts of characters for the different holidays. The following are the character keyhole towels I've designed to date. They can all be found on my blog by clicking the links below:
- Ghost Kitchen Towel
- Frankenstein's Monster Kitchen Towel - in this blog post below!
- Kitty Cat Kitchen Towel
- Turkey Kitchen Towel
- Snowman Kitchen Towel
- Gingerbread Man Kitchen Towel
- Santa Kitchen Towel
- Mrs. Claus Kitchen Towel
- Reindeer Kitchen Towel
- Elf Kitchen Towel
- Buffalo Plaid Moose Kitchen Towel
- Leprechaun Kitchen Towel
- Easter Bunny Towel & Washcloth Set
Non-Character Crochet Stay Put / Keyhole Towels
I've also designed several other crochet kitchen towels that are not characters.
You'll find a variety of styles to match your home. Styles range from buffalo plaid to farmhouse to basic keyhole towel patterns that you can customize to match your home's decor.
You can find all non-character keyhole towel patterns here: Free Crochet Kitchen Towel Patterns
Frankie shown with his best friend. Click HERE to find the free crochet pattern for the ghost kitchen towel.
YARN
Cotton is the go-to fiber for crochet dish cloths, dish towels, and hand towels as it’s the most absorbent. There are several cotton yarns out there that would be perfect for this project, but I chose to use Lily Sugar n’ Cream 100% worsted weight cotton yarn. Lily Sugar n’ Cream is available in 39 colors so I was able to find all of the colors I needed for this project within the same yarn line.
FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER KITCHEN TOWEL – FREE CROCHET TOWEL PATTERN
The free pattern is below, but if you love to work offline, or need to order your yarn, I’ve got a couple other great options for you.
Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF that includes all photo tutorials, on Love Crafts here, Ravelry here, or Etsy here.
Save this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.
Pin it for later here.
This post contains affiliate links.
Materials
- Yarn: Yarn I used for my sample is Lily Sugar n' Cream; 4 / Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn; (100% cotton / 120 yards / 70.9 g / 109 m / 2.5 oz )
- Green: 90 yards
- Black: 25 yards
- Grey: 40 yards
- Purple: 30 yards
- Crochet Hooks: H/8/5.00mm; J/10/6.00mm; G/6/4.00mm (my favorite hooks are Clover Amour Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hand since switching)
- Measuring Tape
- (2) 18mm Black Safety Eye
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
Many of the materials are available for purchase through our affiliates:
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch(s): chain
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- spike st: spike stitch (click here for tutorial)
- Alt-dc: alternate double crochet (click here for tutorial)
- Join with a standing sc: (click here for tutorial)
- Join with a standing hdc: (click here for tutorial)
- Join with a standing dc: (click here for tutorial)
- RS: right side
- Rep: repeat
Gauge
- In sc with a 5.00 mm hook: 8 sts = 2″; 8 rows = 2″
- In sc with a 6.00 mm hook: 12 sts = 4″; 5 rows = 2″
Size
- One Size: 8.5" W x 17" L (not including the monster's head)
Notes
- Beginning chains are not counted as a stitch or included in stitch count.
- The first stitch of each row is worked into the same stitch as the turning chain, unless stated otherwise.
- I tend to crochet on the tighter side. You may find yourself needing to go down a hook size (or two) to properly meet gauge, but gauge isn't crucial for this project.
- Yarn Notes: Lily Sugar n' Cream worsted weight cotton yarn was used for the sample, 100% Cotton (120 yards / 109 m / 71 g / 2.5 oz).
- This dish towel is constructed by first making a half circle for the head. You'll then work the body of the towel from top down. Lastly, you'll add facial features.
Special Stitches
- Alternate Double Crochet (Alt-dc): After turning your work, do not ch, instead, insert your hook into the first st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru both loops, insert your hook between the legs of the st just made, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru one loop, yo, pull thru remaining loops. (click here for tutorial)
- Single Crochet Spike Stitch: Begin the spike stitch by inserting your hook into the stitch 1 row down from the current row, yo, pull up a long loop (make sure to pull the loop up to the top edge of your work), yo, pull through all loops on your hook. (click here for tutorial)
- Join with a standing sc, dc or hdc: When instructed to "Join with a standing sc", begin with a slip knot on your hook. Insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo and draw thru both loops on hook. (click here for tutorial)
Frankenstein's Monster Kitchen Towel Instructions
Head
Row 1 (RS): With green yarn & a 5.00 mm hook, ch 2, work 4 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Do not join. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in each st across. Turn. (8 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next st, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next st, rep from * across. Turn. (12 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 2 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 2 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (16 sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 3 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 3 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (20 sts)
Row 6: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 4 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 4 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (24 sts)
Row 7: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 5 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 5 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (28 sts)
Row 8: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 6 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 6 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (32 sts)
Row 9: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 7 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 7 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (36 sts)
Row 10: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the net 8 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 8 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (40 sts)
Row 11: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 9 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 9 sts, rep from * across. Do not Turn. (44 sts)
Row 12: Ch 1, work 1 sc into the side of each row across the flat edge of the half circle, also add 1 sc in the center ch. Do not turn. (23 sts)
Fasten off green yarn. Continue on to Hair. Approximate width of head at this point is 6.5″.
Hair
Row 1 (RS): With black yarn & a 5.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the first st of the previous row, (spike st in the next st, sc in the next st) 11 times. Turn. (23 sts)
Rows 2 - 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
Do not fasten off. Continue on to Body of Towel.
Body of Towel
Row 1 (RS): Continuing with black yarn & 5.00mm crochet hook, ch 20, skip 22 sts, join with sl st in the 23rd st. Turn. (20 chs) See photo below, far right.
Row 2: Switch to a 6.00 mm crochet hook, ch 1, working into the back hump of the ch, work 2 sc in the first ch, sc in each of next 18 chs, 2 sc in last ch. Turn. (22 sts) Fasten off black yarn. Switch to green yarn.
Row 3: With green yarn & a 6.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the first st dc in the same st, (sc, dc) in the next st, (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) 9 times, (sc, dc) in each of the last 2 sts. Turn. (26 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) rep across. Turn. (26 sts)
Rows 5 - 25: Rep Row 4. Your towel will measure approximately 8" from Row 1 of Body of Towel at this point.
Row 26: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. Fasten off green yarn. Switch to purple yarn.
Row 27: With purple yarn & a 6.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the first st, sc in each st across. Turn.
Rows 28 - 36: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. Fasten off purple yarn. Switch to black yarn.
Row 37: With black yarn & a 6.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the first st, sc in each st across. Turn.
Row 38: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. Fasten off black yarn. Switch to grey yarn.
Row 39: With grey yarn & a 6.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the first st, sc in each st across. Turn.
Rows 40 - 50: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
Row 51: Alt-dc in the first st, * skip the next st, 2 dc in the next st, rep from * across to the last st, dc in the last st. Turn. (26 sts) Fasten off grey yarn. Switch to green yarn.
Row 52: With green yarn & a 6.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing dc in the first st, * work 2 dc in sp of next 2-dc cluster from previous row, rep from * across to last st, dc in last st. Turn. (26 sts) Fasten off green yarn. Switch to black yarn.
Row 53: With black yarn & a 6.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing hdc in the first st. hdc in each st across. Turn.
Row 54: Ch 1, hdc in each st across.
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Bolts.
Bolts (Make 2)
Row 1: With grey yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 6, sl st in the 2nd ch from your hook, sl st in the next ch, ch 2, sl st in the 2nd ch from your hook, sl st in the next ch (already has 1 sl st worked into it), sl st in each of the last 3 chs.
Fasten off leaving an 8” tail for attaching the bolts to the head. Continue on to Mouth.
Mouth
Row 1: With black yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 9.
Fasten off leaving an 8” tail for attaching the mouth to the head. Continue on to Split in Pants.
Split in Pants
Sew a split in the pants to make it appear like there are two legs. Use a yarn needle and 10" piece of black yarn and stitch a straight line in the center of the towel as shown in the photos below. I stitched over and around a total of 9 rows counting from the bottom up. Weave in ends. Continue on to Facial Features.
Facial Features
Eyes: Center and attach the eyes on the monster's head as shown in the photo below. I placed mine in the Row 4 stitches of the head with ¾" between them.
Mouth: Center the mouth on the monster's head as shown in the photo below. Use a yarn needle and tail of yarn to sew it onto his head. Weave in ends.
Bolts: Position the bolts on the monster's head as shown in the photo below. Use a yarn needle and tail of yarn to sew them onto the back of the head. Weave in ends.
Stitches: For each set of stitches, use a yarn needle and 8" length of black yarn. First, sew the long piece (mine are approximately 1.5" long. Then sew two small pieces across the long piece, as shown in the photo below.
NOW THAT I’VE COMPLETED MY FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER KITCHEN TOWEL, HOW DO I HANG IT UP?
The photos below are of the Gingerbread Man Kitchen Towel, but the steps are the same.
Step 1 (photo A): With the monster looking at you, insert your hand behind his head and through the hole. Bring the bottom edge of the towel, up and over the oven door handle from behind it.
Step 2 (photo B): Grab the bottom edge of the towel and pull it through the hole.
Step 3 (photo C): Pull the body of the towel all the way down to secure it. Step back and enjoy your talents!
Frankenstein's Monster Dish Scrubby - Make a Coordinating Set
MORE FREE CROCHET PATTERNS FROM A CROCHETED SIMPLICITY
If you enjoy this crochet pattern for Halloween, you may enjoy these other projects as well. And if you just want to browse, you can find all of our free crochet patterns HERE.
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- Ghost Kitchen Towel
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- Ghost Dish SCrubby
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- Frankenstein's Monster Dish Scrubby
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- Frankenstein Candy Bowl
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- Kitty Cat Towel
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- Black Cat Dish Scrubby
Are you intimidated by knit-look crochet? Would you love to learn my tips & tricks? Take an Annies Video Class with me and let me ease your fears and help you increase your skills! Click on the photo below to watch a free preview. You can also see the other 4 video classes I have available!
Please share your finished ACS projects with us in the A Crocheted Simplicity Crochet Community Group on Facebook! Use hashtag #ACrochetedSimplicity when sharing on social media so I can find your posts!
Alexandra
This little set is adorable! I love seasonal decor like this.
Jennifer Renaud
Thank you!
Heidi Higginbotham
I had no idea I inspired your Frankenstein towel by posting my Frankenstein candy bowl! Glad I posted it! Heidi
Jennifer Renaud
You sure did. 🙂
LADNEA
I just want to thank you. You are a wonderful designer. You also have a good eye for colors and to give of your designs so freely is a nice and I thank you.
,3 <3 <3
Jennifer Renaud
Thank you so much for your kind words. <3