After receiving lots of love for my Farmhouse Striped Kitchen Towel and Buffalo Plaid Kitchen Towel, I knew I just had to make a few fun, festive towels for the upcoming holiday season. The Gingerbread Man Kitchen Towel is the first in this series of crochet kitchen towels for the holidays and I'm smitten. You can find the free crochet towel pattern 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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This fall, I've been making new crochet kitchen towels, but I wanted them to be a little less traditional in style. Having to constantly pick up the towels off the floor and wash them because they've slipped off the oven handle yet again, gets old in a quick hurry. I love the way the Farmhouse Striped & Buffalo Plaid Kitchen Towels hang, but wanted something a little different for the Christmas crochet towels. I hope you love the simplicity of these towels and are excited to add a little fun to your Christmas kitchen decor.
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
- Kitty Cat Kitchen Towel
- Turkey Kitchen Towel
- Snowman Kitchen Towel
- Gingerbread Man Kitchen Towel - in this blog post below!
- 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
THE YARN
Gingerbread Man 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: Lily Sugar n' Cream / Worsted Weight / 4 / Cotton Yarn
- Jute (brown): 140 yards
- White: 4 yards
- Red: 5 yards
- Crochet Hooks: J/10/6.00mm, H/8/5.00mm (My favorite crochet hooks are the Clover Amour Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hand since switching)
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle
- 15mm Black Safety Eyes (2) - optional
Many of these materials are available for purchase through our affiliates below:
Gauge
- In sc with a 5.00 mm hook: 8 sts = 2"; 8 rows = 2"
- In body of towel with a 6.00 mm hook: 12 sts = 4"; 5 rows = 2"
Size
- One Size: 8" W x 17.5" L (not including the head)
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch(s): chain(s)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- sp: space
- RS: Right Side
- Rep: repeat
- Alt-dc: alternate double crochet - click HERE for the tutorial
- standing sc: click HERE for the tutorial
- standing dc: click HERE for the tutorial
Notes
- Turning chains are not included in stitch count unless noted otherwise.
- 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).
- Yardage:
- Jute (brown): 140 yards
- White: 4 yards
- Red: 5 yards
- 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 and buttons. I chose to use black plastic safety eyes for my towel, but have included instructions for crochet eyes, if you prefer them instead.
Gingerbread Man Dish Towel Instructions
Head
Row 1 (RS): With brown 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)
Do not fasten off. Continue on to Body of Towel. Approximate width of head at this point is 5.75".
Body of Towel
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, work 1 sc into the side of each row across half circle, also add 1 sc in the center ch. Turn. (23 sts)
Row 2: Ch 20, skip 22 sts, join with sl st in the 23rd st. Turn. (20 chs) See photo below, right.
Row 3: 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)
Row 4: Ch 1, (sc, dc) in the first st, (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) 10 times, (sc, dc) in the last st. Turn. (24 sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in the first st, dc in the next st, * sc in the next st, dc in the next st, rep from * across. Turn.
Rep Row 5 until your towel measures 15” from Row 1 of Body of Towel.
Do not fasten off. Continue on to Ric Rac Trim.
Ric Rac Trim
Row 1 (RS): Alt-dc in the first st (click here for the tutorial), * skip the next st, 2 dc in the next st, rep from * across to the last st, dc in the last st. Turn. (24 sts) * Change colors to white yarn. Fasten off brown yarn.
Row 2: Alt-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. (24 sts) *Change colors to brown yarn. Fasten off white yarn.
Row 3: Join brown yarn with a standing dc in the first st (click here for the tutorial), * work 2 dc in sp of next 2 dc cluster from previous row, rep from * across to last st, dc in last st. Turn. (24 sts)
Rows 4 - 5: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Gingerbread Head Edging. Approximate length of body of towel is 17.5".
Gingerbread Head Edging
Row 1: With a 5.00mm crochet hook, join brown yarn with a standing sc in the bottom of the st of Row 3 of Body of Towel (see pic below) (click here for standing sc tutorial), sc in each st around the head, work 1 last sc in the bottom of the st at the opposite end of Row 3 of Body of Towel. (46 sts)
Fasten off. weave in ends. Continue on to Head Edging. Approximate width of head is now 6.25".
Head Edging
With a 5.00 mm crochet hook, join white yarn with sl st in st #2 of Gingerbread Head Edging, sl st in each of the next 45 sts. (46 sts) *See photo above, right.
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Cheeks, Eyes, & Mouth.
Cheeks (Make 2)
Rnd 1: With red yarn and a 5.00 mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 8 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Join with a sl st to the first st. (8 sts)
Fasten off leaving a 10” tail for sewing. Weave in beginning tail end. Cheeks are approximately .75" in diameter. Continue on to Buttons.
Buttons (Make 3)
Rnd 1: With red yarn and a 5.00 mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 8 hdc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Join. (8 sts)
Fasten off leaving a 10” tail for sewing. Weave in beginning tail end. Buttons are approximately 1" in diameter. Continue on to either making the Eyes, or if using plastic craft eyes, continue on to Adding Details.
Eyes (Make 2)
Rnd 1: With black yarn and a 5.00 mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 6 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Join with a sl st to the first st. (6 sts)
Fasten off leaving a 10” tail for sewing. Weave in beginning tail end. Eyes are approximately .5" in diameter. Continue on to Adding Details.
Adding Details
Step 1: Attach the black craft eyes or sew on the black crocheted eyes using a yarn needle. I attached mine between rows 3 & 4 of the head. And placed them 1.25" apart from center of one eye to the center of the next. The space between the eyes is approximately ⅝" (approximately 3 sts in row 3). Weave in ends if you made crocheted eyes.
Step 2: Use a yarn needle and tail of yarn to attach the cheeks. I placed mine between rows 7 - 9 with about 7 sts between them in row 8. Weave in ends.
Step 3: Using a yarn needle and a 12" length of white yarn, create the mouth. I added my mouth in the tops of the stitches from row 9 so it appears as if the mouth is between rows 9 & 10. I started by inserting my needle under the edge of the cheek on the right and work up and down through every stitch until I reach the cheek on the left. Weave in ends once you've completed your mouth. Mouth is approximately 2.5" L.
Step 4: Use a yarn needle and tail of yarn to attach the buttons. Because of the way the towel hangs, make sure to attach the buttons on the side opposite the facial features. I attached the bottom button first. Position it so that the center of it is 3-¾" from the bottom edge of the towel. I then added the middle button and left about ¼" space between the bottom and middle buttons. Repeat with the top button leaving ¼" space between the middle and top buttons. Weave in ends.
Now that I've completed my Gingerbread Man Kitchen Towel, how do I hang it up?
Step 1 (photo A): With the gingerbread man 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. The buttons should now be A facing you.
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!
I COULDN’T RESIST THE URGE TO BE A LITTLE CHEESY. 
If you love Snowmen, my friend Sonya, from Blackstone Designs, has a couple of super cute snowman patterns: Gingerbread Man Belly Pot Holder & Gingerbread Man Belly Flatware Holder. Click HERE for the Free Crochet Pot Holder Pattern and click HERE for the Free Crochet Flatware Holder Pattern.
MORE FREE CROCHET PATTERNS FROM A CROCHETED SIMPLICITY
If you enjoy this crochet pattern for your home, 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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- Snowman Kitchen Towel
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- Santa Claus Kitchen Towel
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- Reindeer Kitchen Towel
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- Buffalo Plaid Moose Kitchen Towel
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- Farmhouse Striped Kitchen Towel
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- Buffalo Plaid Kitchen Towel
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!
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Marieli Bonilla
Can I sell the final product?
Jennifer Pionk
Of course!
Marieli Bonilla
Thanks!, love your patterns
Jennifer Pionk
Thank you!
Theda
Thank you I just Love the Christmas towlis
Jennifer Pionk
Hi Theda,
You're welcome!
Merry Christmas!
Jennifer
Beth Ann
I love these towels. I have the Halloween ones, Christmas and turkey. I'd LOVE to see pilgrams and ones for Easter also!!! These are simple and don't take long. So I'm making a full Christmas set for Christmas gifts for several friends.
Kim
Can't wait for Mrs. Claus and the Elf, my good friend wants themto go with Santa and Snowman. I have made the gingerbread with a bow to look like a girl