I have a penchant for a pretty kitchen towel (or dish towel as it’s also known). It’s an essential item and in constant use in our kitchen. If it’s a beautiful colour or pattern it has the capacity to elevate the mundane; it provides me a simple pleasure in the split second it takes to dry my hands or wipe a spill.

The other thing I love about a kitchen towel is it becomes better over time. The more you use and wash it, the softer and more absorbent it becomes.

A kitchen towel is not for just drying dishes either. Here are a few more ways to use one.

Get rid of that dish rack. Instead, lay dishes out on a pretty kitchen towel.

I find salad spinners a paint to clean. Instead, I wrap just-washed greens in a towel and store in the fridge until dinnertime. They turn extra-crunchy as they dry.

Put a kitchen towel under a mixing bowl and whisk away; the towel will prevent the bowl from moving.

Wrap a bottle of wine in a pretty dish towel for a two-in-one hostess gift.

When folded on itself, a kitchen towel doubles as a pad for grasping hot pot handles, lids and dishes.

A pretty kitchen towel is a great gift idea. Beautiful and functional.