Beth's Kitchen Towel

Beth's Kitchen Towel by Julia Schwartz

Project Overview

Beth's Kitchen Towel is a crochet dishcloth pattern designed by Julia Schwartz and available through Designs by Diligence. This intermediate-level project creates a functional kitchen textile measuring 5 ½ by 15 ½ inches, making it an ideal size for everyday kitchen use. The pattern requires two colors of worsted-weight yarn, allowing crafters to create visual interest through color blocking or striping techniques.

What Is Being Made

This project produces a rectangular kitchen towel or dishcloth suitable for washing dishes, drying hands, or general kitchen cleanup. The finished dimensions of 5 ½ by 15 ½ inches make it a practical, portable kitchen accessory that works well as a handmade gift or personal craft project.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for any worsted-weight cotton yarn in two contrasting colors. The model photographed in the pattern uses Lion Brand Re-up yarn, which is composed of 85% cotton and 15% polyester, offering durability and easy care for a kitchen textile. Each skein contains 114 yards and weighs 2.5 ounces. The colors used in the sample are Ecru and Denim. A size G/7 (4.5mm) crochet hook is required, along with a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and finishing.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 double crochet stitches plus 10 rows equals 4 inches. Achieving this gauge is important for obtaining the intended finished dimensions of 5 ½ by 15 ½ inches. Crafters should swatch before beginning to ensure their tension matches the pattern requirements.

Crochet Stitches and Techniques Used

Beth's Kitchen Towel employs a variety of fundamental and intermediate crochet stitches to create texture and structure:

• Chain (ch) — Used to create the foundation and turning chains throughout the pattern
• Slip Stitch (sl st) — Provides joining and finishing techniques
• Single Crochet (sc) — Creates a tight, dense fabric suitable for dishcloths
• Foundation Double Crochet (Fdc) — A special stitch that combines the chain foundation with the first row of double crochet in one step, eliminating the need for a separate foundation chain. This technique is executed by yarning over, inserting the hook into the horizontal V at the bottom of the previous stitch, yarning over and pulling through the stitch (creating 3 loops on the hook), then yarning over and pulling through one loop, followed by repeating the process of yarning over and pulling through 2 loops until the stitch is complete
• Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc) — Worked around the post of the stitch in the previous row, creating a raised texture on the front of the fabric
• Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc) — Worked around the post of the stitch in the previous row, creating a raised texture on the back of the fabric
• Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog) — A decrease stitch that combines two single crochet stitches into one, useful for shaping or finishing edges

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. While it uses common crochet stitches, the inclusion of post stitches (fpdc and bpdc) and the foundation double crochet technique requires some experience beyond absolute beginner level. Crafters comfortable with basic crochet stitches and ready to expand their stitch repertoire will find this project appropriately challenging.

Design and Construction

The use of front post and back post double crochet stitches suggests the pattern creates textured ribbing or dimensional stitch patterns that add visual and tactile interest to the finished towel. The two-color yarn requirement allows for creative color combinations while the worsted-weight cotton yarn ensures the finished piece is absorbent and durable for kitchen use.