Buffalo Plaid Moose Crochet Hand Towel
Are you searching for a fun and unique crochet project that combines charm with practicality? A moose crochet hand towel might be just the answer!
Perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, or as a thoughtful handmade gift, this project is sure to impress with its rustic appeal and utility.
You can find the free crochet pattern for the Buffalo Plaid Moose Kitchen Towel in this post below, or an ad-free print friendly version on Ravelry, or on Etsy (aff).
Why Crochet a Moose Hand Towel?
- Unique Design: The moose motif adds a playful, outdoorsy vibe to any space. Whether you’re decorating a cabin, celebrating wildlife, or just love quirky crochet patterns, this project delivers.
- Functional Decor: Unlike purely decorative pieces, hand towels are practical and can be used daily.
- Customizable: Choose colors and sizes to fit your personal style or the recipient’s preferences.
Where to Use or Gift Your Moose Crochet Hand Towel
- Kitchens: A charming addition for drying hands or dishes.
- Bathrooms: Use as a quirky guest towel.
- Gifts: Pair with handmade soaps or a cozy blanket for a rustic-themed gift set.
Crochet Character Keyhole Towels
Since designing my first crochet Christmas towel, I’ve received requests for all sorts of characters for the different holidays. The following are the character keyhole towels I’ve designed to date. They can all be found on my blog by clicking the links below:
- Ghost Kitchen Towel
- Frankenstein’s Monster Kitchen Towel
- Kitty Cat Kitchen Towel
- Turkey Kitchen Towel
- Snowman Kitchen Towel
- Gingerbread Man Kitchen Towel
- Santa Kitchen Towel
- Mrs. Claus Kitchen Towel
- Reindeer Kitchen Towel
- Elf Kitchen Towel
- Buffalo Plaid Moose Kitchen Towel – in this blog post below!
- Leprechaun Kitchen Towel
- Easter Bunny Towel & Washcloth Set
Non-Character Crochet Keyhole Towels
I’ve also designed several other crochet kitchen towels that are not characters.
You’ll find a variety of styles to match your home. Styles range from buffalo plaid to farmhouse to basic keyhole towel patterns that you can customize to match your home’s decor.
Come take a peek at all of our non-character keyhole towel patterns.
Yarn
Cotton is the go-to fiber for crochet dish cloths, dish towels, and hand towels as it’s the most absorbent. There are several cotton yarns out there that would be perfect for this project, but I chose to use Lily Sugar n’ Cream 100% worsted weight cotton yarn.
Lily Sugar n’ Cream is available in 39 colors so I was able to find all of the colors I needed for this project within the same yarn line.
Buffalo Plaid Moose Kitchen Towel – Free Crochet Towel Pattern
The free crochet hand towel pattern is below, but if you love to work offline, or need to order your yarn, I’ve got a couple other great options for you.
Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF that includes all photo tutorials, on Ravelry, or Etsy (aff).
Save this pattern to your Ravelry favorites.
This post contains affiliate links.
Materials
- Yarn: Yarn I used for my sample is Lily Sugar n’ Cream; 4 / Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn; (100% cotton / 120 yards / 70.9 g / 109 m / 2.5 oz )
- Wine (MC): 140 yards
- Black (CC1): 90 yards
- Red (CC2): 80 yards
- Dark Brown: 50 yards
- Light Brown: 8 yards
- Blue: 1 yard
- Crochet Hook: H/8/5.00mm (my favorite hooks are Clover Amour Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hand since switching)
- Measuring Tape
- (2) 18mm Black Safety Eyes – Optional (instructions included for yarn eyes)
- (2) 6mm Black Safety Eyes – Optional (instructions included for yarn nostrils)
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch(s): chain
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- Join yarn with a standing single crochet
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- Rep: repeat
- MC: main color
- CC1 & CC2: contrasting color
- Color Changes: Color change photo tutorial.
Gauge
- In sc with a 5.00 mm hook: 8 sts = 2″; 8 rows = 2″
- In pattern stitch (sc in next, dc in next): 11 sts = 3″; 8 rows = 3″
Size
- One Size: 8.25″ W x 19.5″ L (not including the head)
Notes
- Beginning chains are not counted as a stitch or included in stitch count.
- The first stitch of each row is worked into the same stitch as the turning chain, unless stated otherwise.
- I tend to crochet on the tighter side. You may find yourself needing to go down a hook size (or two) to properly meet gauge, but gauge isn’t crucial for this project.
- Yarn Notes: Lily Sugar n’ Cream worsted weight cotton yarn was used for the sample, 100% Cotton (120 yards / 109 m / 71 g / 2.5 oz).
- Yardage:
- Wine (MC): 140 yards
- Black (CC1): 90 yards
- Red (CC2): 80 yards
- Dark Brown: 50 yards
- Light Brown: 8 yards
- This dish towel is constructed by first making a half circle for the head. You’ll then work the body of the towel from top down. Lastly, you’ll add facial features.
- Color Changes: We have a color change photo tutorial for reference.
Special Stitches
- Join yarn with a standing single crochet: When instructed to “Join with a standing sc”, begin with a slip knot on your hook. Insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo and draw thru both loops on hook.
Buffalo Plaid Moose Crochet Towel Instructions
Head
Row 1 (RS): With dark brown yarn & a 5.00 mm hook, ch 2, work 4 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Do not join. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in each st across. Turn. (8 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next st, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next st, rep from * across. Turn. (12 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 2 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 2 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (16 sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 3 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 3 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (20 sts)
Row 6: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 4 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 4 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (24 sts)
Row 7: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 5 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 5 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (28 sts)
Row 8: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 6 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 6 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (32 sts)
Row 9: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 7 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 7 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (36 sts)
Row 10: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the net 8 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 8 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (40 sts)
Row 11: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 9 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 9 sts, rep from * across. Do not Turn. (44 sts)
Row 12: Ch 1, work 1 sc into the side of each row across the flat edge of the half circle, also add 1 sc in the center ch. Do not turn. (23 sts)
Switch to black yarn. Fasten off dark brown yarn. Continue on to Body of Towel. Approximate width of head at this point is 6.5″.
Body of Towel
Row 1 (RS): Continuing with black yarn & 5.00mm crochet hook, ch 20, skip 22 sts, join with sl st in the 23rd st. Turn. (20 chs) See photo below, far right.
Row 2: Ch 1, working into the back hump of the ch, (2 sc in the next ch, sc in the next ch) 10 times. Turn. (30 sts) Do not fasten off. Continue on to Buffalo Plaid Section.
Buffalo Check Color Pattern – See Color Chart Below (MC: Wine; CC1: Black; CC2: Red)
- Pattern Stitch: (sc in the next st, dc in the next st)
- Color Pattern for Rows 1-4 & 9-12 : 6 sts CC1, (6 sts MC, 6 sts CC1)
- Color Pattern for Rows 5-8: 6 sts MC, (6 sts CC2, 6 sts MC) 2 times.
Changing Colors: For all color changes, you’ll change colors on the last pull through of the last stitch in each colored section. I have a color change photo tutorial on my blog, if you need a visual.
Rows 1 – 4: Ch 1, CC1, sc in the first st, dc in the next st, (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) twice, * MC (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) 3 times, CC1 (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) 3 times, rep from * across. Turn. (30 sts)
Fasten off CC1 & MC.
Row 5: Join MC with a standing sc in the first st, dc in the next st, (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) twice, * CC2 (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) 3 times, MC (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) 3 times, rep from * across. Turn.
Rows 6 – 8: Ch 1, MC, sc in the first st, dc in the next st, (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) twice, * CC2 (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) 3 times, MC (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) 3 times, rep from * across. Turn.
Fasten off MC & CC2.
Rows 9: Join CC1 with a standing sc in the first st, dc in the next st, (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) twice, * MC (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) 3 times, CC1 (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) 3 times, rep from * across. Turn.
Rows 10 – 12: Ch 1, CC1, sc in the first st, dc in the next st, (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) twice, * MC (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) 3 times, CC1 (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) 3 times, rep from * across. Turn.
Fasten off CC1 & MC.
Rows 13 – 52: Rep Rows 5 – 12. Do not fasten off CC1 at the end of Row 52.
Row 53 (RS): Ch 1, CC1, sc in each st across.
Fasten off. Continue on to Muzzle. Towel portion should be approximately 19.5″ L.
Muzzle
Note: Muzzle is worked in continuous rounds (spiral). I suggest using a scrap of yarn as a stitch marker to help keep track of rounds.
Rnd 1 (RS): With 5.00mm crochet hook and dark brown yarn, ch 4, 3 sc in 2nd ch from your hook, sc in the next ch, 3 sc in the last ch, rotate to work on the opposite side of the ch, sc in the next ch. Do not join. (8 sts) Begin using a scrap piece of yarn to keep track of the beginning and ending of rounds.
Rnd 2: (2 sc in each of the next 3 sts, sc in the next st) twice. (14 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc in the next st, 2 sc in each of the next 4 sts, sc in each of the next 3 sts, 2 sc in each of the next 4 sts, sc in each of the next 2 sts. (22 sts)
Fasten off leaving a tail of yarn to sew the muzzle onto the face. Continue on to Antlers.
Antlers (Make 2)
Row 1 (RS): With 5.00mm crochet hook and light brown yarn, ch 4, working into the back hump of the foundation ch, hdc in the 3rd ch from your hook, ch 5, hdc in the 3rd ch from your hook, sc in the next ch, ch 5, hdc in the 3rd ch from your hook, hdc in the next ch, ch 5, hdc in the 3rd ch from your hook, dc in each of the next 2 chs, ch 1, rotate to work into the sides of the sts, work 1 hdc & 1 dc into the side of the next dc, dc in the next ch, hdc into the side of the next hdc, hdc in each of the next 2 chs, hdc into the side of the next sc, hdc in the next ch, sc in the next ch, sc in the side of the next hdc, sc in each of the next 2 chs.
Fasten off leaving a tail of yarn to sew the antlers onto the face. Continue on to Ears.
Ears (Make 2)
Row 1 (RS): With 5.00mm crochet hook and dark brown yarn, ch 3, dc into the 3rd ch from your hook, ch 2, sl st into the 2nd ch from your hook, dc into the same ch as previous dc, ch 3, sl st into same ch as dc’s.
Fasten off leaving a tail of yarn to sew the ears onto the face. Continue on to Neck.
Neck
First, use stitch markers to mark the centermost 8 sts at the bottom of the head.
Row 1 (RS): With 5.00mm crochet hook and dark brown yarn, join yarn with a sc in the BLO of the st marked with SM to the right, BLO sc in each of the next 7 sts. ( 8 sts)
Fasten off. Continue on to Scarf – Part 1.
Scarf – Part 1
Row 1 (RS): With 5.00mm crochet hook and blue colored yarn, join yarn with a standing sc in the BLO of the 1st st of Row 1 of the neck, BLO sc in the same st, BLO sc in each st across to the last st, BLO 2 sc in the last st. (10 sts)
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Scarf – Part 2.
Scarf – Part 2
With 5.00mm crochet hook and blue colored yarn, ch 16. Fasten off. Tie a knot in the middle of the chain. Trim both ends of the ch to approximately 1/2″. Using a yarn needle and piece of blue colored yarn, attach scarf-part 2 to scarf – part 1, as shown.
Optional: Yarn Eyes (Make 2)
Rnd 1: With black yarn and a 5.00 mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 6 hdc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Join with a sl st to the first st. (6 sts)
Fasten off leaving a 10” tail for sewing. Weave in beginning tail end. Eyes are approximately .75″ in diameter.
Facial Features
Eyes: Center and attach the eyes (snap on 18mm safety eyes or sew on yarn eyes) on the moose’s head as shown in the photo below. I placed mine between the stitches of Rows 3 & 4 of the head with 3/8″ between them.
Muzzle: Center the muzzle on the moose’s head as shown in the photo below. Use a yarn needle and tail of yarn to sew it onto his head. Weave in ends.
Nostrils: I positioned my nostrils (6mm safety eyes), on the muzzle between Rnds 1 & 2. Secure nostrils in the positions shown in the photo.
- Optional Yarn Nostrils: If you prefer to use yarn, I would simply make a knot in a small piece of black yarn, instead of using the 6mm safety eyes. Then sew the yarn knots onto the muzzle with the knots on the right side of the face.
Antlers: Position the antlers on the moose’s head as shown in the photo below. 1 antler will be attached with its RS facing and the other antler will be attached with its WS facing. Use a yarn needle and tail of yarn to sew them onto the head. Weave in ends.
Ears: Position the ears as shown in the photo below. Us a yarn needle and tail of yarn to attach the ears to the moose’s head. Weave in ends.
Now that I’ve completed my Buffalo Plaid Moose Kitchen Towel, how do I hang it up?
The photos below are of the Gingerbread Man Kitchen Towel, but the steps are the same.
Step 1 (photo A): With the moose looking at you, insert your hand behind his head and through the hole. Bring the bottom edge of the towel, up and over the oven door handle from behind it.
Step 2 (photo B): Grab the bottom edge of the towel and pull it through the hole.
Step 3 (photo C): Pull the body of the towel all the way down to secure it. Step back and enjoy your talents!
A moose crochet hand towel is more than just a craft project—it’s a delightful way to add personality and warmth to your home. Whether you’re making it for yourself or gifting it to a loved one, this crochet creation is sure to bring smiles and compliments.
I Made It! Now What?
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More Crochet Ideas for Buffalo Plaid I Think You’ll Love
- Touch of Plaid Beanie
- Buffalo Plaid Kitchen Towel
- Buffalo Plaid Wine Cozies
- C2C Buffalo Plaid Blanket
- Buffalo Plaid Kitchen Towel
- O’ Christmas Tree Crochet Hand Towel
- Buffalo Plaid Christmas Stocking
Corner-to-Corner (c2C) Buffalo Plaid
My husband asked me to crochet a blanket big enough to fit him so I crocheted him a c2c buffalo plaid blanket, using the griddle stitch and he absolutely loves it!
LOVE THIS MOOSE, SO CUTE, CAN’T WAIT FOR THE REINDEER. I ACTUALLY CREATED AN ELF FROM YOU SANTA PATTERN, CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOURS, MY EARS A LITTLE WEIRD. LOVE ALL OF YOUR PATTERNS
The little moose is adorable!
Merry Christmas Jennifer,
Can’t wait to see the Elf and Mrs. Santa. I hope you can get them out before Christmas. They are all just to to cute.
These character towels are so clever. The patterns are well-written and easy to follow.
omg he’s so adorable! can’t wait to start him!
I made this towel for my moose loving friend last Christmas and she loved it!
I made this towel for my moose loving friend for Christmas last year and she loved it!