Decreasing Cable Towel Toppers

After making the first towel toppers I did, I had the idea to make similar ones with cables. I love cables. And I really liked the idea of having a towel topper that had more going on for it.

These start out in a k6, p2 rib pattern which diminishes and cables as the pattern goes on. I also did 2 buttonholes with a wider strap than most patterns use.

These are done in regular, worsted - weight cotton, although you could use any weight and type of yarn. Keep in mind that cotton doesn't have much stretch, so be sure to knit loosely.

Abbreviations Used
k knit
p purl
ssk slip, slip knit
CL3, slip 3 stitches onto cable needle in front of work, knit 3, knit 3 off cable needleCL2, slip 2 stitches onto cable needle in front of work, knit 2, knit 2 off cable needleCL1, slip 1 stitches onto cable needle in front of work, knit 1, knit 1 off cable needle

I used 62 stitches, but as long as the number you cast on is divisible by 8 + 6 it will work.

To start, use a darning needle to create stitches down the middle of the towel. I found the instructions here to be helpful with this.

Rows from there:

1: Pick up stitches2: p6, *k2, p6, repeat from * to end of round
3: k6, *p2, k6, repeat from * to end of round
4: and all even rows - purl all purled stitches and knit all knit stitches as they face you.
5-9: repeat row 3
11: CL3, *p2, CL3, repeat from * to end of round
13-15: k6, *p2,k6, repeat from * to end of round
17: k1, ssk, ssk, k1, *p2, k1, ssk, ssk, k1, repeat from * to end of round
19: CL2, *p2, CL2, repeat from * to end of round
21: k4, *p2, k4, repeat from * to end of round
23: ssk, ssk, *p2, ssk, ssk, repeat from * to end of round
25: CL1, *p2, CL1, repeat from * to end of round
27: k2, *p2tog, k2, repeat from * to end of round
29: ssk, *p, ssk, repeat from * to end of round
31-51: k1,p1 rib
53: k1, p1, k1, cast off 2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, cast off 2, k1, p1, k1
54: p1, k1, p1, cast on 2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, cast on 2, p1, k1, p1
55-66: k1, p1 rib
67: k2tog across
68: k2tog beg & end of row
69: k2tog across
70: cast off remaining stitchesWeave in ends and sew on buttons.

Ribbed Towel Toppers

I'm making towel toppers to go with dishcloths for Christmas gifts this year. I've noticed that most of the patterns out there are for garter stitch. I wanted something different. I liked how it turned out, so thought I'd share.

This pattern is for the toppers only. The bottoms are a simple k3, p2 rib.

These start out in a k5, p2 rib pattern which diminishes as the pattern goes on. I also did 2 buttonholes with a wider strap than most patterns use.

Unfortunately, I did the first ones in black, so it is hard to see the rib. I'll try to get some pictures of lighter ones up when I get them done.


These are done in regular, worsted - weight cotton, although you could use any weight and type of yarn (I would highly suggest sticking to cotton though).

I used 61 stitches, but as long as the number you cast on is divisible by 7 + 5 it will work.

To start, use a darning needle to create stitches down the middle of the towel. I found the instructions here to be helpful with this.

Rows from there:

1: Pick up all stitches
2: p5 *k2, p5, repeat from * to end of round
3: k5 *p2, k5, repeat from * to end of round
4: and all following even rows - knit all knit stitches and purl all purled stitches
5: repeat row 3
7: repeat row 3
9: k2, k2tog,k1, *p2, k2, k2tog, k1, repeat from * to end of round
11: k4 *p2, k4, repeat from * to end of round
13: k1, k2tog,k1, *p2, k1, k2tog, k1, repeat from * to end of round
15: k3 *p2, k3, repeat from * to end of round
17: k2tog, k1, *p2, k2tog, k1, repeat from * to end of round
19: k2, *p2tog, k2, repeat from * to end of round
21: k2tog, *p1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round
23-46: k1,p1 rib
47: k1, p1, k1, p1, cast off 2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, cast off 2, k1, p1, k1
48: p1, k1, p1, k1, cast on 2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, cast on 2, k1, p1, k1, p1
49-50: k1, p1 rib
51: k2tog across
52: k2tog beg & end of row
53: k2tog across
54: cast off remaining stitches

Weave in ends and sew on buttons.