In 2019, I designed the Gingerbread Man Kitchen Towel. This was my very first crochet Christmas towel. Ever since then, designing a Mrs Claus kitchen towel has been on my short list.
The Mrs Claus Kitchen Towel is finally joining the other Christmas characters: Santa, Snowman, Reindeer, Elf, and Gingerbread Man. It's time to add her to your collection!
You can find the free crochet towel pattern for the Mrs Claus Kitchen Towel in this post below, or an ad-free print friendly version on Love Crafts here, Ravelry here, or on Etsy here.
>Click HERE to sign-up to receive our newsletter!<
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
- Santa Kitchen Towel
- Mrs. Claus Kitchen Towel - in this blog post below!
- 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
CROCHET THE PERFECT GIFT
Crochet Christmas towels make the perfect crochet gift for many different people on your holiday gift list.
- Family & Friends
- Co-Workers
- Secret Santa
- Teachers
- Wedding (help newlyweds grow their collection of holiday decor)
- Lastly, the person who has it all!
The Mrs Claus Kitchen Towel makes a great gift by herself, but pair her with the Santa Claus Kitchen Towel for the perfect set! And don't forget the Reindeer Kitchen Towel, he is the cutest of them all!
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.
For Mrs Claus' lips and glasses, I separated the plies of my worsted weight cotton yarn in two. If you prefer, you can substitute embroidery floss for the light pink for Mrs Claus' lips and grey for her crochet glasses.
MRS CLAUS KITCHEN TOWEL – FREE CROCHET CHRISTMAS 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 )
- Red: 130 yards
- Soft Ecru: 25 yards
- White: 70 yards
- Green: 2 yards
- Pink: 24" (you can also use embroidery floss)
- Grey: 48" (you can also use embroidery floss)
- Black: 1 yard (for optional crocheted eyes)
- Crochet Hooks: H/8/5.00mm; G/6/4.00mm; J/10/6.00mm; C/2.75mm (my favorite hooks are Clover Amour Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hand since switching)
- Measuring Tape
- (2) 15mm Black Safety Eyes - Optional (instructions included for yarn eyes)
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
- Buttons (2) - ½" diameter (optional for apron)
- Needle & Thread (if adding buttons to the apron)
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
- dc: double crochet
- bobble st: 5 double crochet bobble stitch
- sc2tog: single crochet decrease
- BLO / FLO: back loop only / front loop only
- RS: right side / WS: wrong side
- Rep: repeat
- Rnd: round
- SM: stitch marker
- yo: yarn over
- Alt-dc: alternate double crochet (click HERE for tutorial)
- Join with a standing sc: (click here for tutorial)
- Join with a standing dc: (click here for tutorial)
Gauge
- In sc with a 5.00mm hook: 8 sts = 2″; 8 rows = 2″
- In Body of Towel with 6.00mm hook: 12 sts = 4″; 9 rows = 3″
Size
- One Size: 8-½" W x 17-½" L (not including the 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.
- 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
- Red: 130 yards
- Soft Ecru: 25 yards
- White: 70 yards
- Green: 2 yards
- Pink: 24" (you can also use embroidery floss)
- Grey: 48" (you can also use embroidery floss)
- Black: 1 yard (for optional crocheted eyes)
- The Mrs Claus Kitchen Towel is constructed by first making a half circle for the head. After crocheting her hair, you'll then work the body of the towel from top down. Next, you'll make the apron, bun, glasses and all small pieces. Lastly, you'll add facial features and all crocheted pieces. I chose plastic eyes for my towel, but have included instructions for crochet eyes, if you prefer that instead.
Special Stitches
- Alternate Double Crochet (Alt-dc): 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.
- 5 Double Crochet Bobble Stitch (bobble st): Yo, insert your hook into the next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on your hook, (yo, insert your hook into the same st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on your hook) work from ( to ) 4 times, yo, pull through all remaining loops on your hook.
- Join with a standing sc: 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)
- Join with a standing dc: When instructed to "Join with a standing dc", begin with a slip knot on your hook. YO, insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on your hook, yo, pull through remaining 2 loops on your hook. (click here for tutorial)
Mrs Claus Kitchen Towel Instructions
Mrs Claus' Head
Row 1 (RS): With soft ecru yarn & a 5.00mm 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)
Edge Top of Mrs. Claus' Head (RS): Continue on from Row 11 and work this row across the flat edge of the head (see photos below), ch 1, work 1 sc into the side of each row across the half circle, also add 1 sc in the center ch. (23 sts) Place a SM in the 1st st of the row to mark where to join yarn for Mrs. Claus' Hair AND where to join the chain from Row 1, Body of Towel.
Do not fasten off. Secure working yarn with a stitch marker so you can pick it back up after working Mrs. Claus' Hair. Continue on to Mrs. Claus' Hair. Approximate width of head at this point is 5.75".
Mrs Claus' Hair
Row 1 (RS): With white yarn & a 5.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing dc in the stitch you marked to join yarn for Mrs. Claus' Hair (see photos below), bobble st in the next st, (sc in the next st, bobble st in the next st) work from ( to ) 10 times, dc in the last st.
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to the Body of Towel.
Join yarn with a standing dc in the stitch marked with a SM.
Bobble st in the next st, sc in the next st.
The bobble stitch portion of Mrs Claus' hair is complete.
Body of Towel
Row 1: With a 5.00mm crochet hook, pick your ecru yarn back up from the end of the row Edge Top of Head, ch 20, skip 22 sts , join with sl st in the 1st st from Edge Top of Head you previously marked with a SM. Turn. (20 chs) See photos below.
Continuing on from the end of the row Edge Top of Head, ch 20.
Join with a sl st to the first stitch from Edge Top of Head.
Row 2: Switch to a 6.00mm 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) Switch to red yarn. Fasten off soft ecru.
Crochet Row 2, then switch to red yarn.
Row 3: With red yarn, ch 1, (sc, dc) in each of the first 2 sts, (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) 9 times, (sc, dc) in each of the last 2 sts. Turn. (26 sts)
Rows 4 - 38: 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.
Row 39: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. *Switch to white yarn. Fasten off red yarn.
Approximate length at this point is 12.5” from Row 1 of Body of Towel.
Rows 40 - 41 (Apron Tie): With white yarn, ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. *At the end of Row 41, switch to red yarn. Fasten off white yarn.
Row 42: With red yarn, ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
Rows 43 - 53: 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. *At the end of Row 53, switch to white yarn. Fasten off red yarn.
Approximate length at this point is 17.5” from Row 1 of Body of Towel.
Row 54 (Petticoat): With white yarn, working in the FLO, ch 1, (sc, ch 2, sc) in the first st, skip the next st, [ (sc, ch 2, sc) in the next st, skip the next st ] work from [ to ] 11 times, then sc in the next st, ch 2, sc2tog in the same st as last sc & the last st. (26 sts + 13 ch-2's)
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Mrs. Claus' Apron.
The top edge shows the petticoat row. The white stripe is the apron tie.
Mrs Claus' Kitchen Towel Apron
Row 1 (RS): With white yarn & a 5.00mm crochet hook, ch 14, working into the back hump of the foundation ch, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, sc in each remaining ch across. Turn. (13 sts) Place a SM in the bottom of the last sc of the row to mark where to join yarn to begin the Top Apron Ruffle.
Rows 2 - 10: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
Row 11: Alt-dc in the first st, dc in the same st, 2 dc in each remaining st across. Turn. (26 sts)
Rows 12 - 15: Alt-dc in the first st, dc in each remaining st across. Turn. Place a SM in the 1st stitch of Row 15 to mark the beginning of the Bottom Apron Ruffle.
Fasten off. Continue on to the Top Apron Ruffle.
Top Apron Ruffle
Row 1 (RS): With white yarn & a 5.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the st marked to begin the Top Apron Ruffle, ch 2, sc in the same st, * skip the next st, (sc, ch 2, sc) in the next st, rep from * across. (14 sts + 7 ch-2's)
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to the Bottom Apron Ruffle.
Bottom Apron Ruffle
Row 1 (RS): With white yarn & a 5.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the st marked to begin the Bottom Apron Ruffle, ch 2, sc in the same st, * skip the next st, (sc, ch 2, sc) in the next st, rep from * across to the last st, (sc, ch 2, sc) in the last st. (28 sts + 14 ch-2's)
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Mrs. Claus' Hair Bun.
Mrs Claus' Hair Bun
Rnd 1 (RS): With white yarn & a 5.00mm crochet hook, ch 4, working into the back hump of the foundation ch, work 3 sc in the 2ndch from your hook, sc in the next ch, 3 sc in the next ch, rotate to work into the bottom of the foundation ch, sc in the next st. Do not join. (8 sts) Use a scrap piece of yarn to help keep track of the beginning and ending of each round.
Rnd 2: (2 sc in each of the next 3 sts, sc in the next st) work from ( to ) 2 times. (14 sts)
Rnd 3: * (sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st) 2 times, then sc in each of the next 3 sts, work from * 2 times. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. (18 sts) Place a SM in the 8th stitch of the round to mark where to join yarn to begin the Top of Bun.
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to the Top of Bun.
The green SM is marking the stitch where you begin the top of the bun.
Top of Bun
Row 1 (RS): With white yarn & a 5.00mm, join yarn with a standing sc in the st marked to begin the Top of Bun, sc in each of the next 3 sts. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc in the last st. Turn. (6 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each of the next 2 sts, sc2tog. (4 sts)
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Red Hair Ribbon.
The photo above shows Row 1 of the Top of Bun completed.
Red Hair Ribbon
Using a yarn needle and 12" piece of red yarn, wrap the yarn around the bun twice, as shown in the photos. Weave in ends. Continue on to Mrs. Claus' Neck.
The photo above shows the red hair ribbon complete.
Mrs Claus' Neck
First, use stitch markers to mark the centermost 6 sts at the bottom of the head.
Row 1 (RS): With 5.00mm crochet hook & soft ecru yarn, join yarn with a standing sc in the BLO of the st marked with SM to the right, BLO sc in each of the next 5 sts. (6 sts)
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Mrs. Claus' Collar.
The photo above shows Mrs Claus' neck complete.
Mrs Claus' Collar
Row 1 (RS): With 5.00 mm crochet hook & white colored yarn, join yarn with a standing sc in the 1st st of Row 1 of the neck, dc in the same st, [ (dc, sl st) in the next st, (sc, dc) in the next st ] work from [ to ] 2 times, (dc, sc) in the last st. (12 sts)
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Holly Leaves.
The photo above shows Mrs Claus' collar complete.
Holly Leaves (Make 4)
Row 1 (RS): With green yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, (ch 2, sl st in the 2nd ch from your hook) twice, ch 2, sl st into the first ch of the row. You should have a leaf with 3 points.
Fasten off leaving an 8" tail for sewing. Continue on to Holly Berries.
Holly Berries (Make 2)
With a 10" piece of red yarn, make a knot in the middle of it, then make 2 more knots next to the first knot on the same piece of yarn.
Continue on to Attaching Holly Leaves & Berries to Mrs. Claus' Hair and another to her apron.
Attaching Holly Leaves & Berries to Mrs Claus' Hair & Apron
Step 1: Using a yarn needle and tail of yarn, attach 2 of the holly leaves near the right-hand side of Mrs. Claus' Bun.
Step 2: Using a yarn needle and tail of yarn, attach 1 of the holly berry groups to Mrs. Claus' Bun as shown in the photos.
Step 3: Using a yarn needle and tail of yarn, attach 2 of the holly leaves on Mrs. Claus' Apron.
Step 4: Using a yarn needle and tail of yarn, attach 1 of the holly berry groups to Mrs. Claus' Apron as shown in the photos.
Weave in ends. Continue onto Apron Straps.
Apron Straps
With white yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, leave a 6" beginning tail of yarn, then ch 8.
Fasten off leaving a 6" tail of yarn. Continue on to Mrs. Claus' Lips.
Mrs Claus' Lips
Yarn: If you've chosen to use worsted weight yarn instead of embroidery floss, you will first need to separate the plies of yarn to make it thinner. The yarn I used is a 4 ply yarn. I first cut a length of yarn that was 24" long. Then, I split the plies of yarn in half so I had two lengths of yarn, each only 2 plies. You will only need one of these lengths to make the lips.
Row 1 (RS): With pink yarn (or embroidery floss) & a 2.75mm crochet hook, ch 7.
Fasten off leaving a 6" tail of yarn. Continue on to Mrs. Claus' Glasses.
Mrs Claus' Glasses
Yarn: If you've chosen to use worsted weight yarn instead of embroidery floss, you will first need to separate the plies of yarn to make it thinner. The yarn I used is a 4 ply yarn. I first cut a length of yarn that was 1.5 yards. Then, I split the plies of yarn in half so I had two lengths of yarn, each only 2 plies. You will only need one of these lengths to make the glasses.
Row 1 (RS): With grey yarn (or embroidery floss) & a 2.75mm crochet hook, ch 12, sl st in BLO in the 2nd ch from your hook, ch 4, skip 6 chs, sl st in BLO in each of the next 4 chs, ch 6, sl st in BLO in the 2nd ch from your hook, ch 6.
Fasten off leaving an 8" tail of yarn. Using a yarn needle, weave the tail of yarn, from front to back, through the 1st ch you made and secure it. Continue on to Optional Yarn Eyes, or Adding Details (if using plastic safety eyes).
Photo Above: ch 12, sl st in BLO in the 2nd ch from your hook. The yarn needle is inserted under the BLO of the ch where you need to insert your hook to work the sl st.
Photo Above: ch 4, skip 6 chs. The yarn needle is inserted under the BLO of the ch where you need to insert your hook to work the sl st.
Photo Above: sl st in BLO in each of the next 4 chs.
Photo Above: ch 6, sl st in BLO in the 2nd ch from your hook. The yarn needle is inserted under the BLO of the ch where you need to insert your hook to work the sl st.
Photo Above: ch 6. Fasten off leaving a 6" tail. Using a yarn needle, weave the tail of yarn, from front to back, through the 1st ch you made and secure it.
Photo Above: Shows Mrs Claus' Glasses complete.
Optional Yarn Eyes (Make 2)
Rnd 1: With black yarn and a 4.00 mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 5 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Join with a sl st to the first st. (5 sts)
Fasten off leaving a 10” tail for sewing. Weave in beginning tail end. Eyes are approximately .5" in diameter.
Adding Details
Bun
Position the bun behind her hair nearest the center of the head. Using a yarn needle and 12" piece of yarn, attach the bun to the head.
Eyes
Center and attach the eyes (snap on 15mm safety eyes or sew on crocheted eyes) on Mrs. Claus' Head as shown in the photo below. I placed mine between the stitches of Rows 3 & 4 of the head with ½" between them.
Photo Above: Shows the spacing between the eyes and also where I positioned my glasses.
Glasses
Position the glasses as shown in the photos. Position them towards the lower portion of the eyes. Use a yarn needle and tails of yarn to attach the glasses to Mrs. Claus' Head. I attached mine across the bridge of the nose and along the bottom edge of the glasses. Weave in ends.
The photo above shows the glasses attached to Mrs Claus' Head.
Nose
Using a 24" long piece of soft ecru yarn and a yarn needle, wrap yarn around the stitch just under the bridge of the glasses. Wrap it around and around and around until you've created a little button nose. Weave in ends.
Photo Above: Shows Mrs Claus' nose being stitched on.
Lips
Place the lips between rows 7 & 8 of Mrs. Claus' Head and center them with her eyes. Using a yarn needle and tails of yarn, attach the lips to her face. Weave in ends.
Blush (optional)
Using blush powder, add a little pink to her cheeks to make them rosy.
Apron
Position the apron on top of the RS (RS of the petticoat edging is the RS of the towel) of the Body of Towel as shown in the photos. Line up the apron with the white apron tie that was worked in the Body of Towel. Using a yarn needle and 16" piece of yarn, sew the upper portion of the apron onto the towel.
Apron Straps
Using a yarn needle and tail of yarn, sew apron straps onto towel as shown in the photos.
Buttons (optional)
Position the buttons on top of the apron as shown. Using a needle and thread, attach to the towel.
Your Mrs Claus Kitchen Towel is complete!
Now that I've completed my Mrs Claus 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 Mrs Claus looking at you, insert your hand behind her head and through the hole. Bring the bottom edge of the towel, up and over the oven door handle from behind it. Her apron should now be 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!
MORE FREE CROCHET CHRISTMAS PATTERNS FROM A CROCHETED SIMPLICITY
If you enjoyed crocheting the Mrs Claus Kitchen Towel, you may enjoy these other crochet Christmas projects as well. And if you just want to browse, you can find all of our free crochet patterns HERE.
-
- Santa Claus Kitchen Towel
-
- Snowman Kitchen Towel
-
- Reindeer Kitchen Towel
-
- Gingerbread Man Kitchen Towel
-
- Elf Kitchen Towel
-
- Buffalo Plaid Moose 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!
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!
Peace
I love this! Mrs. Clause I have been waiting for more of her Thank you I hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year