Practical, but Never Plain: The Power of a Tea Towel
The very first product of Corvidae was a tea towel.
Yes. A tea towel.
Not a mug. Not a pillow. Not a tote bag that suggests I love farmer’s markets. A rectangle of fabric meant to dry dishes. It’s just so basic.
So… why?
Because when you really think about it, the tea towel is quietly everywhere. Draped over oven handles. Tossed over shoulders of home chefs. Folded neatly (or not) on countertops. It’s the unsung hero of the kitchen — doing the work, day after day, without a second thought. And yet, it’s one of the only functional things in your kitchen that gets to wear a little personality. Patterns and pops of color. A nod to the outdoors or your love of funny food puns. A hint of who you are — or who you want to be — when you’re cooking dinner on a Tuesday night and pretending you’re not tired after a long day of work.
Tea towels have become functional artwork. Paintings that let bread rise. Patterns that mop up spills. Small canvases that prove practicality doesn’t have to be boring.
Honestly? That’s pretty powerful. And pretty cool.
So, What’s the Best Kind of Tea Towel?
Like most things in life — shoes, coffee, books, national parks — it depends on what you’re into. At Corvidae, we make three kinds, and each one has a very different personality.
The Microfiber Waffle Towel
This is the new kid on the block. Trendy. Effortlessly cool. The towel equivalent of a favorite flannel layered over a simple tee. So so cool.
In addition to being cool and trendy, is that it’s surprisingly absorbent, great for wiping down counters mid-chaos, and tough enough to handle constant hand-drying while you cook. Made from recycled polyester and plastics, it gives discarded materials a second life — which feels like a small win for the planet every time you reach for it.
The Linen Towel
This one is the minimalist with impeccable taste.
Made from 100% flax linen, it’s rustic and refined all at once. Linen somehow manages to look better the more you use it — softer, more relaxed, more lived in. It’s breathable, which makes it perfect for baking. Cover dough. Wrap warm bread. Pretend you run a tiny bakery somewhere in a small village near a forest. Linen is the kind of fabric that makes you slow down a little. And honestly, we could all use that.
The Flour Sack Cotton Towel
This is the workhorse. The dependable one. My personal favorite. Why?
Oversized
Ultra-absorbent
Lint Free
Durable
Plus, it somehow just keeps getting better with age. The more you use it , the more absorbent it becomes. No more cycling through two or three soggy towels while drying dishes. This one towel can handle it all — plates, pans, glasses, the whole post-dinner situation. Why use three towels when one big, beautiful one gets the job done? It’s like the reliable friend who volunteers to help clean up after the dinner party. Simply Amazing.
But if big really isn’t your thing, don’t worry, the flour sack cotton towel also comes in a smaller size as well. It may be smaller, but it’s still mighty.
Flour Sack, Linen, or Microfiber - whichever you vibe with more - you really can’t go wrong. They all are amazing in their own way. What I really love about Tea Towels is that they can tell a story — about where we’ve been, what we love, and how we want our homes to feel. The towel is there; it lives with you. It dries the dishes and wipes the counters and hangs around long enough to feel familiar and reliable. It’s practical but pretty. Plus, when art meets function, even something as simple as a tea towel can bring outside inspiration in to the most basic of spaces: a little wilderness, a little wonder, a reminder that beauty belongs in everyday moments. Especially the ordinary ones.
If you’re curious what designs are available, you can check out the options here!
→ Microfiber Waffle Towels
→ Linen Kitchen Towels
→ Flour Sack Towels
If you’re local to Montana and want to purchase in person you can find me in the summer at these awesome events