Step Art Deco Hanging Towel Free Crochet Pattern

Step Art Deco Hanging Towel Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This hanging towel is a wonderful first project for anyone who wants to make something both beautiful and useful. Worked entirely in single crochet, it builds a dense, absorbent fabric that feels sturdy in your hands and softens with every wash. The stepped Art Deco color blocks in terracotta and mustard give it a warm, retro look that brightens up a kitchen or bathroom in seconds. With just two colors, one hook, and a simple button loop, it is a relaxing, confidence-building make that you can finish in a few cozy evenings.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn. Approximately 200 yards terracotta (Color A) and 100 yards mustard (Color B). Cotton is recommended for absorbency and durability.
• Hook: 5.5 mm (I-9) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, one 1-inch button, and a sewing needle and thread for attaching the button.
• Finished size: Approximately 10 inches wide x 18 inches long, including the hanging loop.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• st(s) – stitch(es).
• R – row.

Gauge

14 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in single crochet. To check, crochet a small swatch in single crochet and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if you have more or fewer stitches than stated.

Tips Before You Start

• Keep your single crochet tension even and slightly firm so the towel stays dense and absorbent rather than loose and holey.
• Change colors on the last stitch of the row before the new color begins, so the color blocks have clean, straight edges.
• Count your stitches at the end of every row; the width should stay at 35 stitches the whole way through, with no accidental increases or decreases.
• Cotton yarn can shrink slightly, so avoid a hot dryer; lay the towel flat to dry to keep its shape and size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Towel Body

Worked in Color A unless otherwise noted. The body is a straight rectangle with no shaping.

Setup: With Color A, ch 36.

R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (35 sts).

R2–30: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (35 sts).

Change to Color B.

R31–40: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (35 sts).

Change to Color A.

R41–50: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (35 sts).

Change to Color B.

R51–60: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (35 sts).

Change to Color A.

R61–70: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (35 sts). Do not fasten off.

Button Loop

Loop: Ch 15, then sl st to the first st of the last row to form a loop. Fasten off.

Edging

With the right side facing, join Color B at the top right corner.

Edging round: Sc evenly around the entire towel, working 3 sc in each corner, then join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off.

Button

Sew the 1-inch button to the right side of the towel, centered on R5 from the top edge.

Assembly and Finishing

This towel is worked as one piece, so no seaming is required. Weave in all ends on the wrong side with your tapestry needle, working each tail back and forth through a few stitches so it stays secure. Block the towel lightly by misting it with water and laying it flat to dry, smoothing the edges and corners so the color blocks sit straight. Once dry, check that the button lines up with the loop so the towel hangs neatly.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the mustard for sage green or navy for a cooler, more modern color palette while keeping the same stepped Art Deco layout.
• Add a second button a few rows lower so the towel can hang at two different lengths.
• Work the edging in Color A instead of B for a bolder contrast frame around the color blocks.