Free Crochet Pattern – Retro Christmas Tree Towel

When each holiday rolls around it brings with it the desire to crochet something cheerful & festive to display in my home! Although I love to create designs that are functional (and this one is functional), I’m not sure I’ll be able to bring myself to actually use it for more than a decoration in my kitchen. I can hear my husband already, “You are hanging up another Christmas towel and we’re not allowed to use it?” lol I’ve been doing this for years with little store bought hand towels so he’s used to the routine. 😉 

The name of the towel came about because of the use of the granny stitch stitch pattern. I’ve always thought it had a nice retro feel to it. So, without further ado, let’s make the Retro Christmas Tree Towel (or a pretty little decoration no one’s allowed to touch 😉 ).

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Materials

• Yarn: 100% cotton yarn (the yarn picture in the photos is Lion Brand Yarn 24/7 Cotton) You’ll need 1 ball of the following colors: White (MC/140 yds), Grass (CA/100 yards), Cafe Au Lait (CB/ 6 yards), Red (CC/ 50 yards), Lemon (CD/ 6 yards)

• Crochet Hooks: H/8/5.00mm; G/6/4.00mm (My favorite crochet hooks are the Clover Amour Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hand since switching)
• Locking Stitch Marker
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle
• Button (1) 1-1/4″ diameter

 

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Stitch Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc2tog: single crochet decrease
• Alt-ch3(1): alternate chain 3(1) click here for photo tutorial
• st(s): stitch(es)
• yo: yarn over
• yds: yards
• SM: stitch marker
• MC: main color
• CA, CB, CC, CD: contrasting colors listed in materials list
• RS: right side
• Rep: repeat

 

Gauge

• In Granny Stitch pattern: 13 sts x 7.75 rows = 3″

 

Finished Size

• One Size: 7-3/4″ W x 17″ H (when hanging loop is folded over and secured with button)

 

Notes

• I tend to crochet on the tighter side, if you crochet more loosely, you may need to go down a hook size or two to meet gauge. However, this is a pattern for a hand towel and not a fancy sweater so gauge isn’t too terribly important. But would you be upset if you ended up with a bath towel instead of a hand towel? If so, better check that gauge. 😉 
• Beginning ch 3 are counted as a stitch and included in stitch count. Other beginning ch-1 or ch-2 are not included in stitch count, unless stated otherwise.
• First stitch of each row is worked into the same stitch as beginning chain, unless stated otherwise.
• Color Changes: Work all color changes on the final pull thru of the last stitch you’re working before the new color. Example: If the last st you’re working before a color change is a double crochet, begin your double crochet by inserting your hook where indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo with the NEW color, pull thru remaining 2 loops to complete the stitch. Then continue on with your new color. *Click here for Change Photo Tutorial.
• This towel is worked from the white just above the top of the tree to the bottom of the towel. Then you will add the top to the towel to finish it off.

 

Special Stitch

• Alternate Ch-3 (alt-ch3): Complete last st of previous row, take loop off hook, insert hook into the space between the last dc and last 3 dc of previous row, put loop back on hook and pull thru space, turn, ch 3. *Click here for photo tutorial.

 

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Instructions

Towel

Row 1: With MC & 5.00mm hook, ch 32, switch to a 4.00mm hook, sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.  (31 sts)

*Place a SM in the 1^st st of Row 1 (before turning).

Row 2 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as 1^st dc here & throughout), dc in same st, skip 2 sts, [3 dc in next st, skip next 2 sts] work from [ to ] 9 times, 2 dc in last st. Turn.  (31 sts)

Row 3: Ch 3, 3 dc in next 10 sps, dc in top of ch 3.  (32 sts)

*Follow color chart below beginning w/ Row 4.

Row 4: Alt-ch3, dc in same sp, 3 dc in next 9 sps, 2 dc in last sp. Turn.  (31 sts)

Rows 5 – 23: Rep Rows 3 – 4, ending with a Row 3 rep.

Row 24: Alt-ch1 (similar to Alt-ch3, except only ch1), sc in same sp, sc in each st across to last dc & ch3, sc2tog in last dc & top of ch3. Turn.  (31 sts)

Do not fasten off. Continue below to Ric Rac Trim.

Ric Rac Trim

Row 1 (MC): Ch 3 (counts as 1^st dc), [2 dc in next st, skip next st] 14 times, 2 dc in next st, dc in last st. Turn.  (32 sts)

Row 2 (CC): Ch 3, [ 2 dc in sp of next 2-dc cluster from the previous row ] 15 times, dc in top of ch-3. Turn.

Row 3 (MC): Rep Row 2.

Row 4 (CA): Rep Row 2.

Row 5 (MC): Rep Row 2.

Row 6 (CC): Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.  (32 sts)

Row 7 (CA): Rep Row 6.

Row 8 (CC): Rep Row 6.

Row 9 (CA): Rep Row 6.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue below to Towel Top.

Towel Top

Row 1 (CC):  With RS facing you, join yarn w/ a sc in st marked with SM, sc in each st across. Turn.  (31 sts)

Row 2 (CA): Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.

Row 3 (CC): Ch 1, [sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts] 7 times, sc in next st, sc2tog. Turn.  (23 sts)

Row 4 (CA): Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.  (23 sts)

Rows 5 – 6 (MC): Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.

Rows 7 – 14: Ch 1, skip 1^st st, hdc in next st, hdc in each st across to last 2 sts, skip next st, hdc in last st. Turn.  *Stitch count at the end of Row 14 should be (7 sts).

Rows 15 – 30: Ch 1, hdc in each st across.  (7 sts)

Row 31: Ch 1, hdc in same st as ch1, ch 5 (loosely to make it easier to work into them in the next row), skip next 5 sts (creating buttonhole), hdc in last st. Turn.  (2 hdc + 5 chs)

Row 32: Ch 1, hdc in each st and ch across. Turn.  (7 sts)

Rows 33 – 34: Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.  (7 sts)

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue below to Star (or Finishing if you do not prefer to add a star).

Star

Rnd 1: Using a 4.00mm hook & CD, ch 2, sl st in1^st ch to form ring, ch 1, work 5 sc into ring. Join w/ a sl st to 1^st sc.  (5 sts)

Rnd 2: [ *ch 4, sl st in 2^nd  ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch*, sl st in next sc from Rnd 1 ] work from [ to ] 4 times, then work from * to * once more.  (5 points)

Fasten off leaving an 8″ tail for sewing. Sew the last point down onto Rnd 1. (You may prefer to sl st it down like the previous 4 points, but I’ve found that it leaves less of a noticeable hump if I sew the last point in place.) Weave in ends. Continue below to Finishing.

Finishing

With the right side of the towel facing you, center your button over Row 9. Using a needle and coordinating thread or yarn, sew on your button. 

If you’ve made a star, using a yarn needle and tail of yarn, sew it onto your towel near the top of your Christmas tree.

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© 2016, Designed by Jennifer Pionk aka A Crocheted Simplicity. All Rights Reserved.
This design, the pattern, and the images are property of A Crocheted Simplicity. The buyer may use this pattern for personal use and charity. Sales of finished items are also permitted with credit given to www.acrochetedsimplicity.com. No part of this document may be reproduced, altered, or distributed in any form, or by any means, without express written permission from Jennifer Pionk.

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Hang up & enjoy! 

(and tell your hubby & kids it’s for decoration only 😉 ) lol

I really hope you’ve enjoyed this free crochet pattern & you’ve learned a new technique or two to add to your crochet toolbox! If you loved these techniques, check out my Ravelry shop for more great designs (such as the “Boho Chic” Mosaic Tote Bag below) to practice your new skills on!

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Are you intimidated by crocheted cables? Would you love to learn? Take an Annies Video Class with me and let me ease your fears of crocheted cables! Click on the photo below to watch a free preview. You can also see the other 2 classes I have available! (affiliate link)

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Please share your finished ACS projects with me in the A Crocheted Simplicity Crochet Community Group on Facebook!

 

Happy Crocheting!