Related Resources: Afghan Stitch Instructions | Free Crochet Potholder Patterns | Tunisian Crochet Patterns | Kitchen Patterns | Easy Crochet Patterns | More Free Crochet Patterns
Skill Level: Easy
Project Overview:
Here is a free pattern for easy crochet potholders. These are thick potholders worked in worsted weight cotton yarn.
This pattern is great for beginners, but is useful for crocheters of all skill levels. The only prerequisite: You need to know how to do the afghan stitch, otherwise known as Tunisian simple stitch.
If you haven’t learned afghan stitch yet, this pattern offers a fantastic opportunity to practice. The potholders don’t require any increases, decreases, or complicated shaping. They are basic squares joined together, with an added loop so you can easily hang the completed potholder in your kitchen.
Materials:
Yarn:
For each potholder, you’ll need approximately 3 oz. of worsted weight kitchen cotton. The sample was worked in Lily Sugar ‘n Cream cotton yarn in the “Soft Ecru” color. Feel free to substitute any similar cotton yarn if you prefer.
Crochet Hooks:
For the Body of the Potholder: You’ll need a size J / 10 /6.0 mm afghan crochet hook measuring 10+ inches long, or your preferred size.
For the Edging: An ordinary J hook is a good starting point, but you may need to adjust up or down if you notice a significant difference in tension.
Other: Tapestry needle and safety pins
Abbreviations:
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
Finished Size:
Gauge:
Afghan Stitch Note:
Potholder Instructions:
Ch 30.
Work in afghan stitch until you’ve created a square. After about row 25, measure your work periodically to check the progress.
When you’ve determined that your piece is square, work one slip stitch in each vertical bar all the way across the row. Work one last slip stitch into the end of the row, in the same spot you’d ordinarily work the last afghan stitch in the row. (29 slip stitches worked.)
Work 2 of these squares for each potholder you want to make. If you’d like to make a matching pair of potholders, you’ll need four squares all together.
Finishing the Squares:
Edging Instructions:
The edging is worked in the round, and it is created using single crochet and slip stitches. The edging is used to hold the two pieces of the potholder together.
Round 1:
Ch 2 using the ball of yarn attached to a potholder square.
Place the wrong sides of the squares together. The “face” of the fabric is the side that was facing you as you were crocheting each square. You want these sides facing outwards. Be sure that you hold both the top edges together, as there is one stitch less on the top than the bottom.
You might find it helpful to safety pin the corners of the squares to help you hold them together as you join them.
Working through the front and back loops of both squares, work one single crochet stitch in each stitch, all the way around. When you get to the corners: (sc, ch 2, sc in the same stitch) and then continue working sc. At the end of the round, ch 12 to make the hanging loop for the potholder. Join the hanging loop to the body of the potholder with a slip stitch.
Round 2:
Work 1 slip stitch in each sc all the way around. When you get to the corners, work a slip stitch into the the ch-2 corner space. When you’ve worked slip stitches all the way around the potholder, end off, leaving a tail of yarn at least 6 inches long.
Finishing:
Weave in the end carefully using a tapestry needle. Your work will be visible, so be as neat as you can about it.
Tip:
After you’ve woven in 4+ inches of the tail of yarn, you can hide the end in between the layers of the potholder:
- Insert your hook in between the layers of the potholder, starting from a spot in the middle.
- Bring the hook up to the surface again in a spot that is really close to the tail of yarn.
- Grab the tail of yarn with the hook.
- Pull it through one layer of the potholder.
- Carefully extricate your hook, leaving the tail of yarn buried inside the potholder.
Potholder Variations
This potholder is really basic. Would you like to dress it up a bit? Here are some ideas:
- Choose a fancier edging. Try this one: Pretty crocheted potholders
- Instead of using a single color, change colors every 3 rows to make colorful stripes.
- Before you join the squares together, cross stitch a pattern onto one side. Afghan stitch is a great surface to use for cross stitching. Here are a couple of good patterns to use:
- Easy Potholders for Dad - This is a slight variation of the same potholder pattern, except that it's intended to be the right size for cross stitching this Dad-themed chart chart onto the front.
- Star stitch pattern
- Meandering path cross stitch border pattern
More Free Patterns for Potholders
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