A few weeks ago, Jessica asked me if I knew how to make a dish towel hanger for her oven handle. Every time her son dried his hands, it ended up on the floor. I'd seen dish towels with crocheted toppers, but I knew she wouldn't want permanent toppers on all of her towels. Just something to keep it in place so her kids could use it. This is what I came up with.
My first try I just used a double crochet across. But it looked a little boring. So I pulled out one of my favorite stitches--the crossed half double crochet. It's a lot more interesting than a double or half double crochet, don't you think? Here are the instructions for this stitch if you've never tried it.
Crossed Half Double Crochet Stitch
If you can do the half double crochet (hdc) stitch, you can do this very cute variation. Here's how:
Starting with any number of chains, ch 2, *sk next st, hdc in next st, hdc in previously skipped st, repeat from * to end of row. If you have a chain left, do a hdc in that st. Ch 2, turn. Repeat.
Once I got going with it, I wanted to keep using it! But seriously, how many towel hangers do we Birdies need? So I came up with a new pattern using this old favorite. This iPod or cell phone cozy was made using the crossed hdc stitch. I love the way this stitch looks with two strands of cotton yarn. Practice the crossed hdc a little, then try this fun pattern!
iPod/Cell Phone Cozy Crochet Pattern
Finished size: 3" x 4.25" (approx.)--holds a full-size iPod and many cell phones, but measure yours before making this. You can always add stitches to make it taller or wider.
Materials:
G hook, 2 strands cotton yarn (we like Lion Brand's Cotton Ease)
Okay, let's get started!
Ch 13, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across.
Row 1: Ch 2, turn (counts as hdc). Sk 1st st, hdc in 2nd st, hdc in 1st skipped st (crossed hdc completed). Repeat across row, ending with hdc in last st. (12 total hdc)
Rows 2-20: Same as row 1.
Row 21: Crossed hdc twice (4 sts), ch 2, skip next st, hdc in next st, hdc in previous st, sk next st, hdc in next st, hdc in skipped st, hdc in last st. (This row creates the buttonhole.)
Row 22: Repeat row 2.
Row 23: Sc in each st across. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Decide which side you want to be the right side. Fold over with right-sides together at about row 10. Make sure your device will fit inside with a flap folded over the top--adjust fold if necessary.
Using your tapestry needle and a length of yarn, sew up each side. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Turn right-side out. Position button so it will fit through buttonhole and sew to front side. You're done!
So are you going to try it? Oh, you don't crochet? No worries--there are couple of these cuties in Mandy's etsy shop. And if you like them, I'll make more.
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21 Responses to “crossed hdc and a free pattern”
OOH Awesome!!! Thanks for sharing :)
Oh my goodness, you've been reading my mind. I've been searching everywhere for a towel topper that I liked. I love this one. Now all i have to do is master the HDC :)
I LOVE those, but you lost me at "Start with..."
Do you have any suggestions for books or resources for someone who wants to learn how to crochet?
I love the stitch!!! I definitely will start using that one. Do you have a pattern for the towel holder??? Email me at glorybe1024@comcast.net
God bless!!
Love the dish towel hanger. Gotta make me one of those!
Okay... share how you did the towl hanger. That is cute!
oh those are SO SO Cute!!!!!! i love them!
These are awesome. I soooo need crochet help. Oh how I wish I lived near by and you could tutor me. You keep putting great crochet projects on here and now I've got to try! Tell me what "hdc" means first! I understand "ch" is chain, right?
Ooo - put the towel holder on etsy and I am all over it! LOL
Pretty work. Yep - I don't crochet but I have a love of the craft for sure!
This is awesome! I didn't even know I needed one of these, but my kitchen towels are forever landing on the floor, thanks to my 2 kiddos.
OHGosh! I LOVE that little case! I think I even have the absolute most perfect yarn EVAR for it!
thankyouthankyouthankyou!
fantastic towel hanger.
Thanks for sharing, I'm for sure going to make the towel holder.
Love that stitch. very unique.
Wow! I tried the iPod case myself and LOVED it! Super easy! Except, being the beginner that I am, I neglected the bit about stitching it inside out first then flipping it...so you can totally see my knots on the outside. Ah well. It was my first, but not my last!
Thanks for the inspiration and the awesome pattern! I will never cease to be amazed at everything one can do with crochet!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70583350@N00/3256392403/in/photostream/
I loved the little ipod cozy! I decided to try it myself, but I changed the pattern a bit:
http://craftykitty-thecraftycat.blogspot.com/2010/02/oh-em-geeeee-look-what-i-made.html
Thanks for all the great inspiration & tutorials!
I've been looking for a crochet pattern like this and yours is perfect - thank you so much for sharing!
I love the crochet towel holder! I have been making the ones where you crochet on the towel itself for years, but I like yours so much better! How do you do the circle part? I would love to have the instructions. I am pinning you! I hope that's ok.
Wow - I used to make these years ago - maybe 25? and but crocheted around a plastic ring (those 6 pack pop can plastic holders) for the round part. These are really handy!
i looked up youtube videos and the only one i could find as a tutorial for the cross hdc says when you go back to the skipped stitch, it says to crochet from the back but you don't mention that and my stitch looks different than yours. i can't find any other way to NOT from the back. which is the correct way?
I am trying this stitch tonight, thank you!!!
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