The border also gives manufacturers a practical place to create a finished edge. Instead of having the entire towel covered in the same plush loops, the woven strip creates a transition between the main absorbent area and the hemmed edge. This can contribute to durability when the towel is washed and dried repeatedly.
There is also a design reason for these lines. Towels have been manufactured with decorative woven borders for generations, and the pattern can make an otherwise plain towel look more refined. A simple stripe can give inexpensive bathroom towels the appearance of a more premium product without requiring complicated embroidery or additional decoration.You may also notice that the area inside the border feels different from the rest of the towel. That difference is intentional. The main body is usually made with terry loops because those loops increase the surface area available to absorb water. The border, by contrast, is flatter and more compact.
