Saratoga stripes kitchen towel

Saratoga Stripes Kitchen Towel by Stephanie Anderson

What is Being Made

The Saratoga Stripes Kitchen Towel is a crocheted dishcloth designed by Stephanie Anderson. This finished project measures 14 x 18 inches and features a distinctive woven appearance created through strategic stitch placement. The pattern is suitable for crafters of all skill levels, as it is rated beginner difficulty. A placemat variation option is also included in the pattern, allowing makers to create a dual-sided striped placemat by placing stripes at both ends.

Techniques Used

The primary technique employed in this pattern is wrapping stitches around the row below to achieve a woven look. This creates visual texture and dimension without requiring complex stitch combinations. The use of a 6.5 mm crochet hook is specifically chosen to give the towel movement and provide ease of working, as the main stitch used would otherwise be quite tight. The pattern incorporates contrasting colors strategically to enhance the striped design.

Stitches Used

The Saratoga Stripes Kitchen Towel is constructed primarily using single crochet stitches for the main color work. The pattern also utilizes chain stitches to begin the project. The wrapped stitch technique is the defining feature, where stitches are worked in a way that wraps around previous rows to create the signature woven appearance.

Materials and Tools

• Yarn: Paintbox Cotton Aran weight yarn totaling 5 oz; main color in mustard yellow, with contrasting color #1 in slate gray and contrasting color #2 in paper white (1 ball each)
• Hook: 6.5 mm crochet hook
• Additional Tools: Scissors, tapestry needle, and tape measure

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 12 stitches and 11 rows over 4 inches, where 1 row equals two worked rows or wrapped rows. Achieving proper gauge ensures the finished towel reaches the intended 14 x 18 inch dimensions.