Welcome, fellow makers! If you are looking to add a touch of handmade farmhouse charm to your kitchen while keeping your tea towels neatly in place, you are going to love this project. This adorable crochet chicken dish towel holder is quick to stitch up, highly functional, and makes a wonderful gift for friends and family.
Whether you want to use up some yarn scraps in your stash or create a cohesive look for your rustic kitchen decor, this pattern is beginner-friendly and comes together in no time. Let’s grab our hooks and get started!
Materials & Tools Needed
- Worsted weight (Category 4) cotton yarn in main body color (white, beige, or cream), plus small amounts for the comb (red), beak (yellow), and wings (contrasting color).
- US G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook
- 1 wooden or plastic craft ring (approx. 2 to 3 inches in diameter) for the towel loop
- 1 button (approx. 3/4 inch) for the closure
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors
Abbreviations & Pattern Notes
- Ch: Chain
- Sc: Single crochet
- Hdc: Half double crochet
- Dc: Double crochet
- Sl st: Slip stitch
- St(s): Stitch(es)
- RS: Right side
- Note: Pattern uses US standard crochet terms. Cotton yarn is recommended because it is durable, washable, and holds its shape well in the kitchen.
Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions
- The Ring Base: Join your main color yarn to the craft ring with a slip stitch. Work 35–40 single crochet stitches evenly all the way around the ring until it is completely covered. Join with a sl st to the first st and fasten off.
- Chicken Body (Make 2): Starting at the lower base, ch 15.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across each ch. (14 sc) Turn.
Rows 2–8: Ch 1, sc across each st. (14 sc) Turn.
Row 9 (Shaping): Sk first st, sc in next 12 sts, sk last st. (12 sc) Turn.
Rows 10–12: Ch 1, sc across. Fasten off at the end of Row 12. Make two identical body panels. - The Comb: Attach red yarn to the top-center of one body panel. Ch 3, work 2 dc in the same st, skip next st, sl st in next st. Repeat [Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, skip 1 st, sl st in next st] across the top crown to form 3 small ruffled points. Fasten off and weave in ends.
- The Beak: Attach yellow yarn to the front of the head area. Ch 2, work 1 hdc and 1 sc in the same space, sl st to secure, and fasten off, leaving a neat little triangular beak.
- Assembly: Place the two body panels together with the RS facing out. Sandwich the covered craft ring between the bottom edges of the two panels. Whipstitch or single crochet the front and back panels together along the sides and top, securely catching the ring in the bottom opening. Add a small amount of stuffing inside before closing, if desired, then fasten off.
- Hanging Loop & Button: On the back panel near the top, attach yarn and chain 8–10 (sized to fit your button securely). Sl st back into the base of the chain to create a loop, then fasten off. Sew the button securely to the front upper body so the loop can fasten over it to hang the holder from an oven handle or hook.
Finishing & Helpful Tips
- Always use 100% cotton yarn for this project, as it resists heat and is easy to toss in the washing machine after kitchen use.
- When covering your craft ring, make sure your single crochets are packed tightly together so no wood or plastic shows through.
- Feel free to personalize your chicken by sewing on a pair of small safety eyes or embroidering sleepy eyelashes with black embroidery floss.
- Block your finished crochet panels with a tiny bit of steam or water if they curl slightly before sewing them together.
Watch the Step-by-Step Video Tutorial
Prefer visual guidance? Follow along with the complete video tutorial below: