Seafoam Tunisian Crochet Hand Towel Free Pattern

Introduction

This Seafoam Tunisian Crochet Hand Towel is a calm, Scandinavian-style project made for anyone who has mastered the basics of Tunisian simple stitch and wants a beautiful, useful piece for the home. The dense, slightly ridged fabric has a woven look that feels substantial and absorbent in the hand, perfect for a powder room or kitchen. Horizontal pastel stripes in seafoam, pale pink, lilac, and mint repeat three times, giving the towel a soft, restful rhythm. Folded seafoam hems at each short end finish it neatly, and it makes a thoughtful, handmade Christmas gift.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Sport weight (CYC 2) linen blend, approximately 60% linen / 40% cotton, 50 g / 150 yds per skein:
  • Color A (Seafoam): 1 skein (about 120 yds)
  • Color B (Pale Pink): 1 skein (about 80 yds)
  • Color C (Lilac): 1 skein (about 60 yds)
  • Color D (Mint): 1 skein (about 40 yds)
• Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8) Tunisian crochet hook with cable
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure, blocking pins or mats
• Finished size: Approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) wide by 18 inches (45.7 cm) long, including hems

Abbreviations

• ch — chain
• sc — single crochet
• sl st — slip stitch
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• yo — yarn over
• RS — right side (the side that faces out)
• WS — wrong side (the inside)
• Rnd — round
• Tss — Tunisian simple stitch (the forward pass described in Row 2 below)

Gauge

18 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in Tunisian simple stitch. Work a small swatch and measure it flat after a light block; if you have more stitches per 4 inches, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Keep the forward-pass loops loose enough to slide easily along the cable; tight loops make the return pass slow and stiffen the fabric.
• Change colors on the return pass of the last row of a band so the new color begins cleanly on the next forward pass.
• Count your loops at the end of every forward pass — you should always have 54 loops on the hook.
• Work the hems with a slightly firmer tension than the panel so they fold crisply and lie flat.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Panel (worked flat in Tunisian simple stitch)

Setup: With A, ch 54.

Row 1 (RS): Forward pass: insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yo, pull up loop, [insert hook in next ch, yo, pull up loop] across (54 loops on hook). Return pass: yo, draw through 1 loop, [yo, draw through 2 loops] across (1 loop remains).

Row 2: Forward pass: skip first vertical bar, [insert hook under next vertical bar, yo, pull up loop] across (54 loops). Return pass as Row 1 (1 loop remains).

Rows 3–6: Repeat Row 2 (54 loops on forward pass, 1 loop remaining after return pass).

Rows 7–12: Repeat Row 2 in Color B.

Rows 13–18: Repeat Row 2 in Color C.

Rows 19–24: Repeat Row 2 in Color D.

Rows 25–30: Repeat Row 2 in Color A.

Rows 31–36: Repeat Row 2 in Color B.

Rows 37–42: Repeat Row 2 in Color C.

Rows 43–48: Repeat Row 2 in Color D.

Rows 49–54: Repeat Row 2 in Color A.

Rows 55–60: Repeat Row 2 in Color B.

Rows 61–66: Repeat Row 2 in Color C.

Rows 67–72: Repeat Row 2 in Color D. Fasten off.

Top Hem

With RS facing and A, join yarn at the top right corner.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc evenly across top edge (54 sc). Turn.

Rows 2–5: Ch 1, sc in each st across (54 sc). Turn.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Fold the hem to the WS along Row 1 and sew in place.

Bottom Hem

With RS facing and A, join yarn at the bottom right corner.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc evenly across bottom edge (54 sc). Turn.

Rows 2–5: Ch 1, sc in each st across (54 sc). Turn.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Fold the hem to the WS along Row 1 and sew in place.

Edging (optional)

With RS facing and A, join yarn at any corner.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire perimeter, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side, running each tail through a few stitches before trimming. Sew both folded hems securely to the panel with a simple whipstitch, keeping the stitches small and even so the fold stays crisp. If you worked the edging, smooth the corners so the 3-sc groups sit flat. Block lightly to measurements: mist the towel, pin it square on mats, and let it dry completely before folding or gifting.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the pastel palette for deeper winter tones, or work the whole towel in one color for a minimalist look.
• Add a hanging loop by chaining 12 and joining it to one corner before working the edging.
• Make a matching washcloth by chaining 30 instead of 54 and working fewer stripe repeats.