TEA TOWEL

 

On half of a tea towel, make 56 sc by poking a large needle in the top to make a hole to put in the yarn. (If the weave of the towel is loose enough you may poke the holes with the pointed part of the crochet hook.) 
After the first row of sc, ch 3, dc in 2^nd sc, *then skip 1 sc, dc in next sc. Repeat from *to end of row but do not dc in last ch, ch 3. (total of 30 dc).
Next row, skip first dc, then dc in each dc. (30).
At end of row, ch 3, dc in every OTHER dc including top ch at end of row. ch 3. (16)
Dc in each dc including last ch, ch 3.
Skip first dc, dc in every other dc including the last ch, ch 3 (9).
**Skip the first dc, dc in each dc including the last ch, ch 3. (9)
Repeat from ** for 9 rows. Ch 3, dc in the first dc, dc in each of next 4 dc, ch 6 . Dc in the next dc, dc in each of the next 4 dc, 1 dc in the last ch. Ch 3, 7 dc in the ch sp. Ch 3 and sl st to top ch of previous row. End. Attach a large button with sewing thread between the 2^nd and 3^rd row of the 9 rows that are repeated.

Alternate instructions for a 5 pointed crochet star to sew on instead of a button.

Start with a new yarn. Ch 6.
Close the loop with a sl st in the first chain. Ch 3 in the loop. 2 dc in the loop. Ch 6. Sl st in the 1st of the 6 chs. (at the base of the chs)
This forms the first point of the star.
*3 dc, ch6. Sl st in the 1st of the 6 chs. (at the base of the chs) Rep from * 3 times.
You should have 5 points on your star. On the last sl st, cut the yarn and pull it through the last loop. Work the ends into the dc.
Next take a separate piece of yarn approximately 6" and thread it through a yarn needle.
Thread into 7 loops of the base of the dcs near the center. Attach by sewing to middle of the front of the 2nd row of the last 9 rows.
Then pull the yarn to the front under the star and thread the needle into the other 8 dcs on the other side of the star sewing it through to the back and tying a knot on the back. Cut off yarn and tuck ends in.
The "star" can then be put through the buttonhole and flattened back out to make it stay. It takes a little time but is cheaper than a button!