Barrow Hand Towel

Barrow Hand Towel by Two of Wands

Project Overview

The Barrow Hand Towel is a beginner-friendly crochet dishcloth and hand towel designed by Two of Wands. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a practical, textured towel suitable for kitchen use, measuring 14.5 inches wide by 18 inches long (37cm x 46cm). The finished piece showcases a beautiful waffle stitch texture that adds visual interest while remaining simple enough for crocheters new to the craft.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a functional hand towel or dishcloth worked in a flat rectangular shape. The finished dimensions make it ideal for drying hands or dishes, with a finished size of 14.5"/37cm in width and 18"/46cm in length. The towel is constructed using back-and-forth rows, creating a sturdy, absorbent fabric suitable for everyday kitchen use.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The Barrow Hand Towel employs fundamental crochet techniques appropriate for beginner-level crafters. The primary stitch pattern is waffle stitch, which creates the distinctive textured appearance of the finished towel. This stitch pattern is achieved through a combination of basic crochet stitches worked in alternating rows.

• Double crochet (dc) – The foundational stitch used throughout the pattern to build height and structure
• Front post double crochet (fpdc) – Worked around the post of stitches from previous rows to create the characteristic raised texture of the waffle stitch pattern
• Chain stitch (ch) – Used to create the foundation chain of 62 stitches and the turning chains at the beginning of each row
• Slip stitch (sl st) – A basic stitch included in the pattern abbreviations for reference

The pattern is worked in rows rather than in the round, with a turning chain of 3 stitches at the beginning of each row that counts as a stitch throughout the pattern. The waffle stitch texture develops through the strategic placement of front post double crochets alternating with regular double crochets across rows, creating a dimensional, textured fabric.

Materials Required

The Barrow Hand Towel pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended finished product. Crafters will need 3 skeins of Lion Brand Re-Up yarn in the Denim colorway (product code 834-108). Lion Brand Re-Up is a worsted weight yarn, making it an appropriate choice for this beginner project. A Size US H/8 (5mm) crochet hook is used to work the yarn, and a tapestry needle is required for finishing and weaving in yarn ends.

The recommended gauge is 16 stitches plus 9 rows equaling 4 inches (10cm) in waffle stitch. This gauge measurement helps ensure the finished towel reaches the intended dimensions of 14.5 inches by 18 inches.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, making it an excellent choice for crocheters who are new to the craft or looking for a straightforward project. The use of basic stitches—double crochet and front post double crochet—combined with simple row-by-row construction makes this an accessible introduction to creating textured, functional items.