Elf Kitchen Towel – Free Crochet Towel Pattern
Since designing my very first character keyhole Christmas towel in 2019, (the Gingerbread Man Kitchen Towel), designing an Elf Kitchen Towel has been on my short list. The wait is finally over! The Elf Kitchen Towel now joins the other Christmas character towels, Santa, Snowman, Reindeer and Gingerbread Man.
You can find the free crochet towel pattern for the Elf Kitchen Towel in this post below, or an ad-free print friendly version on Love Crafts here, Ravelry here, or on Etsy here.
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 – in this blog post below!
- Buffalo Plaid Moose Kitchen Towel
- Leprechaun Kitchen Towel
- Easter Bunny Towel & Washcloth Set
Non-Character Crochet Stay Put / 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.
You can find all non-character keyhole towel patterns here: Free Crochet Kitchen 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.
ELF KITCHEN TOWEL – FREE CROCHET TOWEL PATTERN
The free 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 Love Crafts here, Ravelry here, or Etsy here.
Save this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.
Pin it for later here.
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 )
- Mod Green: 140 yards
- Red: 60 yards
- Dark Brown: 3 yards
- Ecru: 50 yards
- White: 20 yards
- Gold: 3 yards
- Black: 8 yards
- Light Pink: 18″
- Crochet Hooks: H/8/5.00mm; G/6/4.00mm; J/10/6.00mm (my favorite hooks are Clover Amour Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hand since switching)
- Measuring Tape
- (2) 15mm Black Safety Eyes – Optional (instructions included for yarn eyes)
- (3) Mini Jingle Bells – Optional
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
Many of the materials are available for purchase through our affiliates:
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Clover 1047/H Deep Blue Amo...Shop on Amazon 
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Fiskars All Purpose Scissor...Shop on Amazon 
Lion Brand Yarn 400-5-5002 ...Shop on Amazon
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
- dc-cl: double crochet cluster (click here for tutorial)
- sc2tog: single crochet decrease
- invsc2tog: invisible single crochet decrease
- BLO / FLO: back loop only / front loop only
- RS: right side / WS: wrong side
- Rep: repeat
- Rnd: round
- SM: stitch marker
- yo: yarn over
- Join with a standing sc: (click here for tutorial)
- Join with a standing dc: (click here for 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): 9 sts = 3″; 8. is 5 rows = 3″
Size
- One Size: 8-3/4″ W x 18-1/2″ 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.
- 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:
- Mod Green: 140 yards
- Red: 60 yards
- Dark Brown: 3 yards
- Ecru: 50 yards
- White: 20 yards
- Black: 8 yards
- Gold: 3 yards
- Light Pink: 18″
- This dish towel is constructed by first making 2 ovals for the head and joining them together. You’ll then create a keyhole opening attached to the head and work the body of the towel from top down. Next, you’ll crochet the different features of the elf. Lastly, you’ll attach the elf’s features.
Special Stitches
- Invisible Single Crochet Decrease (invsc2tog): Insert hook into the FLO or BLO of stitch indicated, insert hook into FLO or BLO of next stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru all loops on hook.
- Join with a standing sc: 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. (click here for tutorial)
- Join with a standing dc: When instructed to “Join with a standing dc”, begin with a slip knot on your hook. YO, insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on your hook, yo, pull through remaining 2 loops on your hook. (click here for tutorial)
- Double Crochet Cluster (dc-cl): Yo, insert hook where indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, insert hook in same st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, pull thru remaining loops. (click here for tutorial)
Elf Kitchen Towel Instructions
Elf’s Head (Make 2)
Note: The elf’s head is worked in continuous rounds to keep from having an unsightly seam. Do not join at the end of each round, instead use a scrap piece of yarn to keep track of the beginning of each round. Move the scrap of yarn up as you complete each round.
Rnd 1 (RS): With ecru yarn & a 5.00mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 6 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Do not join. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: [ (sc, hdc) in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st, (hdc, sc) in the next st ] work from [ to ] 2 times. Do not join. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [ sc in the next st, (sc, hdc) in the next st, 2 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, (hdc, sc) in the next st, sc in the next st ] work from [ to ] 2 times. Do not join. (20 sts)
Rnd 4: [ sc in each of the next 3 sts, (2 sc in the next st, sc in the next st) 3 times ] work from [ to ] 2 times, sc in each of the next 2 sts. Do not join. (26 sts)
Rnd 5: [ sc in each of the next 3 sts, (2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 2 sts) 3 times ] work from [ to ] 2 times, sc in each of the next 2 sts. Do not join. (32 sts)
Rnd 6: [ sc in each of the next 3 sts, (2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 3 sts) 3 times ] work from [ to ] 2 times, sc in each of the next 2 sts. Do not join. (38 sts)
Rnd 7: sc in each of the next 5 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 3 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 10 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 3 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 7 sts. (44 sts)
Elf’s Head #1: Fasten off. Place a SM in the last stitch of Rnd 7. Continue on to make Elf’s Head #2.
Elf’s Head #2: Do not fasten off. Continue on to Joining the Heads.
Joining the Heads
Rnd 1: Lay Head #2 on top of Head #1, lining up the last sts of Rnd 7. Working through both layers, crochet the following: (sc in each of the next 7 sts, 2 sc in the next st) 2 times, sc in each of the next 12 sts, (2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 7 sts) 2 times. Do not join. (48 sts)
Do not fasten off. Continue on to the Body of Towel. Approximate size of the oval head should be 4″ x 5″.
Body of Towel
Set-Up: Sc in the next st along the oval head, ch 20, skip 21 sts along the edge of the head, join with a sl st in the next st along the edge of the head.
Row 1 (WS): Switch to GREEN yarn & a 6.00mm crochet hook, ch 1, working into the back hump of the ch, work 2 sc in the first ch, sc in each of the next 18 chs, 2 sc in the last ch. Turn. (22 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, (sc, dc) in each of the first 2 sts, (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) 9 times, (sc, dc) in each of the last 2 sts. Turn. (26 sts)
Rows 3 – 31: Ch 1, sc in the first st, dc in the next st, * sc in the next st, dc in the next st, rep from * across. Turn. (26 sts)
Row 32: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (26 sts)
Fasten off green yarn. Weave in ends. Continue on to Belt. Approximate length at this point is 11.25” from Row 1 of Body of Towel.
Belt
Row 1 (RS): With black yarn & a 6.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the first st, sc in each st across. Turn. (26 sts)
Rows 2 – 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (26 sts)
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to the Bottom of Jacket.
Bottom of Jacket
Row 1 (RS): With green yarn & a 6.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the FLO of the first st, (place a SM in the BLO of the same st to mark the beginning of the Elf’s Striped Leggings), work 1 more sc in the FLO of the first st, FLO sc in each st across to the last st, FLO 2 sc in the last st. Turn. (28 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, [ sc in each of the next 5 sts, sc2tog, turn, ch 1, sc in each of the next 4 sts, sc2tog, turn, ch 1, sc in each of the next 3 sts, sc2tog, turn, ch 1, sc in each of the next 2 sts, sc2tog, turn, ch 1, sc in the next st, sc2tog, turn, ch 1, sc2tog, turn, ch 1, work 6 sc down the side of the triangle, sl st in the same st as the sc2tog at the base of the triangle ] work from [ to ] 4 times. (4 triangles)
Fasten off green yarn. Continue on to Striped Leggings.
The photo to the above shows the Bottom of the Jacket complete.
The orange SM shown in the photo it marking the stitch where you will begin the leggings.
Striped Leggings
Row 1 (RS): With red yarn & a 6.00mm crochet hook and bottom of jacket facing you, join yarn with a standing sc in the BLO of the st marked with a SM for striped leggings, BLO sc in each st across. Turn. (26 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (26 sts) Fasten off red yarn. Switch to white yarn.
Rows 3 – 4: With white yarn, ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (26 sts) At the end of Row 4, switch to red yarn. Fasten off white yarn.
Rows 5 – 6: With red yarn, ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (26 sts) At the end of Row 6, switch to white yarn. Fasten off red yarn.
Rows 7 – 18: Rep Rows 3 – 6.
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Elf’s Shoes.
Elf’s Shoes
Join yarn with a dc-cl (this stitch is used in Row 1 below): Begin this stitch as you would a standing dc, but after you begin to join with a standing dc, complete it as you would a dc-cl.
Row 1 (RS): With green yarn & a 6.00mm crochet hook, ch 4, working in the back humps of the chain, 2 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, 2 hdc in the next ch, 2 dc in the next ch, join yarn with a dc-cl in the last st of the striped leggings section, dc-cl in each of the next 10 sts, hdc in the next st, ch 1, sl st in the BLO of the same st as the hdc just worked, BLO sl st in each of the next 3 sts, ch 1, hdc in the same st as the last sl st worked, dc-cl in each of the next 11 sts, ch 9, sc2tog in the 2nd & 3rd ch from your hook, skip 1 ch, hdc2tog in the next 2 chs, skip the next ch, dc2tog in the next 2 chs. (2 toes, 22 dc-cl, 2 hdc, 3 sl sts)
Fasten off leaving an 8″ tail of yarn. With a yarn needle and tail of yarn, sew the last st of the toe to the foot to close the gap. Weave in ends. Continue on to Gold Balls for Shoes & Hat.
Gold Balls for Shoes & Hat (Make 3)
Rnd 1 (RS): With gold yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 4 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook.
Fasten off leaving an 8″ tail of yarn to attach them to the elf’s shoes and hat. Continue on to the Belt Buckle.
Belt Buckle
Set-up: With gold yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 12. Being careful not to twist the ch, join with a sl st to the first ch.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, working into the back humps of the ch, sc in the first ch, (sc, ch 1, sc) in the next ch, sc in each of the next 3 chs, (sc, ch 1, sc) in the next ch, sc in the next ch, (sc, ch 1, sc) in the next ch, sc in each of the next 3 chs, (sc, ch 1, sc) in the next ch. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. (16 sc + 4 ch-1’s)
Fasten off leaving a 10″ long tail of yarn to attach it to the belt. Continue on to Ears.
Ear’s (Make 2)
Rnd 1: With ecru yarn & a 5.00mm crochet hook, ch 2, work ( 3 sc, hdc, dc, ch 3, sl st in the 3rd ch, dc, hdc) in the 2nd ch from your hook. Join with a sl st to the 1st sc.
Fasten off leaving an 8″ tail of yarn to attach it to the head. Make a second ear then continue on to the Nose.
Nose
Rnd 1 (RS): With ecru yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 5 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Do not join. (5 sts)
Rnd 2: BLO sc in each st around. Do not join. (5 sts)
Fasten off leaving an 8″ tail of yarn to attach it to the head. Continue on to Hair.
Hair
Row 1 (RS): With dark brown yarn & a 5.00mm crochet hook, ch 6, working into the back hump of the chains, sl st in the 2nd ch from your hook and in each ch across, (ch 7, sl st in the 2nd ch from your hook, sl st in each of the next 4 chs, leave the next ch unworked) 3 times, (ch 6, sl st in the 2nd ch from your hook, sl st in each of the next 3 chs, leave the next ch unworked) 2 times. Place a SM in the last sl st to mark the beginning of the Elf Hat.
Fasten off. Continue on to the Elf Hat.
Elf Hat
Note: I originally made a green hat with red trim, but it blended into the towel so I made a red hat with green trim. This is why the photos for the tutorial show a green hat with red trim, but the instructions have you make the opposite.
Row 1 (RS): With red yarn & a 5.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the st marked with a SM in the hair, work 1 more sc in the same st, sc in the end of each row and unworked ch across to the last st, 2 sc in the last st, ch 9. Turn. (13 sts)
Row 2: Sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, sc in the next ch, skip the next ch, hdc in the next ch, (skip the next ch, dc in the next ch) 2 times, 2 dc in the next st of the previous row, sc in each of the remaining 12 sts. Turn. (19 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, FLO invsc2tog, sc in each of the next 11 sts, leave remaining sts unworked. Turn. (12 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, BLO invsc2tog, sc in each of the next 10 sts. Turn. (11 sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, FLO invsc2tog, sc in each of the next 7 sts, FLO invsc2tog. Turn. (9 sts)
Row 6: Ch 1, BLO invsc2tog, sc in each of the next 5 sts, BLO invsc2tog. Turn. (7 sts)
Row 7: Ch 1, FLO invsc2tog, sc in each of the next 3 sts, FLO invsc2tog. Turn. (5 sts)
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to the Hat Trim.
Hat Trim
Row 1 (RS): With green yarn & a 5.00mm crochet hook, Ch 16, working in the back hump of the chain, hdc in the 2nd ch from your hook, (dc, ch 3, sl st in the 3rd ch, dc) in the next ch, hdc in the next ch, [ sl st in the next ch, hdc in the next ch, (dc, ch 3, sl st in the 3rd ch, dc) in the next ch, hdc in the next ch ] work from [ to ] 3 times. (4 Points)
Fasten off leaving a 12″ tail to attach hat trim to hat. Continue on to Neck.
Neck
First, use stitch markers to mark the centermost 6 stitches at the bottom of the head.
Row 1 (RS): With ecru yarn & a 5.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the BLO of the st marked with SM to the right, BLO sc in each of the next 5 sts. (6 sts)
Fasten off. Continue on to Collar.
Collar
Row 1 (RS): With red yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the BLO of the 1st st of Row 1 of the neck, (ch 3, sl st in the 3rd ch from your hook, BLO sc in the next st) 5 times. (5 points)
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Adding Facial Features.
Optional Yarn Eyes (Make 2)
Rnd 1: With black yarn and a 4.00 mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 5 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Join with a sl st to the first st. (5 sts)
Fasten off leaving a 10” tail for sewing. Weave in beginning tail end. Eyes are approximately .5″ in diameter.
Adding Facial Features
I made a separate head to make it easier to show how I attached all facial features. Your head will be attached to your towel at this point. The green stitch markers are marking where your towel will be attached to the head.
Attach Hat with Hair & Hat Trim
Note: The photos show a green hat. I originally made a green hat, but changed to red because the green blended in with my towel.
The orange stitch markers were used to help line up the hat with hair on the elf’s head. The orange stitch marker on the left is 2 sts above the body of towel join. The orange stitch marker on the right side is 3 sts above the body of towel join. I intentionally attached my hat with hair a little crooked.
Using a yarn needle and 18″ piece of red yarn, attach hat to elf’s head as shown. Weave in ends.
Next, position the Hat Trim on top of the hat with hair as shown in the photo below. Line up the bottom edge of the hat trim so that it covers the hat completely. Using a yarn needle and tail of yarn, attach the hat trim to the hat. Weave in ends.
Attach Eyes
Center and attach the eyes (snap on 15mm safety eyes or sew on yarn eyes) on the elf’s head as shown in the photo to the right. I placed mine close to the center of the oval with 5/8″ between them.
Attach Ears
Position the ears as shown in the photo below. Use a yarn needle and tail of yarn to attach the ears to the elf’s head. Weave in ends.
Attach Nose
Position the nose on the head as shown in the photo to the right. Using a yarn needle and tail of yarn, attach the nose to the head. Weave in ends.
Embroider Mouth
Using a yarn needle and 18″ piece of pink yarn, embroider a mouth as shown in the photo to the left. Weave in ends.
Split in Pants
Sew a split in the pants to make it appear like there are two legs. Use a yarn needle and 12″ piece of black yarn and stitch a straight line in the center of the towel as shown in the photos below. I stitched over and around a total of 12 rows counting from the bottom up. Weave in ends.
Belt Buckle
Use a yarn needle and tail of yarn to attach the Belt Buckle as shown in the photos above. Weave in ends.
Attach Gold Balls to Shoes & Hat
Use a yarn needle and tail of yarn to attach 1 gold ball to the tip of each shoe and to the tip of the elf’s hat. Weave in ends.
Now that I’ve completed my Elf 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 elf 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!
MORE FREE CROCHET PATTERNS FROM A CROCHETED SIMPLICITY
If you enjoy this crochet pattern for your kitchen, you may enjoy these other projects as well. And if you just want to browse, you can find all of our free crochet patterns HERE.
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I love all your towel patterns I can’t wait to make them But I do have to say I am also really excited about you doing a Mrs. Claus I feel like most people forget about her when Christmas comes Thank you for not Do you know when she will be out? Or can I get a notice when it is? Thank you again