Free and Easy Crochet Potholder Pattern with Stitch Tutorial

This free and easy crochet potholder pattern is a great project if you would like to make something beautiful yet practical for your home. You can make a set of crochet pot holders that are very handy for picking up hot dishes or for placing your hot pots on them.

The hanging loop makes it easy to store them as you can simply hang them on the wall and keep them at hand when needed.

They would also make a great gift for your friends or family as you can make them in different colors to match their kitchen decor. And let’s face it…who wouldn’t like such lovely handmade gifts!?

Scroll down to view the full written pattern.

Crochet Potholder Pattern – Before You Get Started

Pattern Notes

Skill level: easy pattern suitable for beginner crocheter skills and knowledge

Terminology: US crochet terminology

Finished size: 21.5 cm (8.5″) by 21.5 cm (8.5″) if using a 3 mm crochet hook = C/2 hook and Light Worsted #3 = DK yarn

Gauge (4″ x 4″): 22 stitches x 26 worked rows

Note: you can easily customise the size of the crochet potholders by chaining more or less stitches in the foundation chain or by crocheting more or less rows

Materials and Tools Needed

What is the best yarn for crochet potholders?

The best type of yarn for crocheting potholders is 100% cotton yarn for two simple reasons. Natural fibers handle high temperatures better than synthetic yarns that can get easily damaged by the heat. It is also easier to wash and it keeps the shape well as acrylic yarn tends to stretch.

I recommend using Light Worsted #3 = DK or Medium #4 = Worsted weight yarn for extra thickness.

Crochet hook size:

– 3 mm hook = C/2 if using Light Worsted #3 = DK

– refer to the instructions on your yarn label if using different weight of yarn

Tools used:

– scissors

– tapestry needle

– measuring tape

Crochet Terminology Used

This free pattern is written using basic crochet stitches in US terms. Download this free printable chart with UK terms.

FCH: foundation chain

R: row

ST: stitch

CH: chain stitch

SC: single crochet stitch

SL ST: slip stitch

HDC: half double crochet

TO: turn your work over

INV FO: invisible fasten off – watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet an invisible fasten off

{…}: number shown inside these brackets equals the number of total stitches at the end of row

I need Help with this Pattern

If it is your first time dipping your toes in the world of crochet, then you may find these video tutorials handy before you get started with this free crochet pattern.

Need more help?

The fastest way to get help is to leave your question in the comment box at the bottom of this post.

Or join our Dreamee Crochet Facebook group to ask for support with this crochet potholder pattern. Many of the members have experience with my patterns and will be more than happy to help. You can also share your creations, chat to fellow crochet makers or exchange tips and tricks.

How Can I Download this Crochet Potholder Pattern?

My free crochet patterns are supported by ads on this website and are not downloadable.

But you can download the ad-free pdf version of this pattern for a small fee from my Etsy shop. Your generous contribution will help towards the cost of materials and running this website so I can continue to publish my free patterns online for everyone to enjoy.

Crochet Potholder Pattern – Step by Step Instructions

– You will crochet the potholder in rows until you have achieved the desired size. You can go for a rectangular potholder instead of a square potholder…the choice is yours! 🙂

– You will be using the even moss stitch pattern, which means you will alternate between slip stitching in one stitch and half double crochet in the next stitch

– Even moss stitch creates a lovely modern texture and is reversible which means your potholder will look indentical on both sides

Watch this video tutorial that will show you step by step how to crochet the even moss stitch, how to change colors and how to count rows when working on a project using this crochet stitch.

Please don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel to receive an update every time I publish a new video. 😉

Written Pattern

FCH:

Chain 46 – chain more if you would like a wider potholder or less if you would like a smaller size, however always chain even number of stitches

R1:

– SL ST into the back bump of the second chain from the hook (note that back bump is different to back loop)

– HDC into the back bump of the next chain = yarn over first, then insert your hook into the back bump of the next chain, yarn over and pull your hook through the back bump – you will have 3 loops left on the hook, yarn over and pull through the 3 loops on the hook

– continue to crochet into the back bump of each chain taking turns between SL ST and HDC

– your last stitch in the row should always be a SL ST

– CH1 and TO {45 excl the turning chain}

– note: count your stitches at the end of the row every now and then to make sure you have the correct count

R2:

– SL ST into 2nd CH from the hook

– HDC into next ST

– continue to crochet across the row taking turns between SL ST and HDC

– remember your last stitch should always be a SL ST

– CH1 and TO {45 excl the turning chain}

– note: don’t worry if your potholder is a bit twisted at this stage, it will flatten out as you crochet along

R3 onwards:

– repeat R2 until you have achieved the desired size – my potholder is cca 21.5 cm (8.5″) long, which workes out as 55 rows (this may differ depending on your yarn tension)

Last row:

– when you work on the last row, you should finish on the same side as your starting tail from the foundation chain at the bottom of your work. But this is not essential since the even moss stitch is reversible.

– SL ST into 2nd CH from the hook

– HDC into next ST

– continue to crochet across the row taking turns between SL ST and HDC, don’t CH1 at the end {45}

– don’t FO and don’t cut the yarn off – you will now continue to crochet the edging and hanging loop

How to Crochet the Edging and Hanging Loop

– continue to crochet from where you finished in the last row – your last ST in the last row should be a SL ST

– CH 15x and SC into the last ST of the last row (Pic 1 & 2). If you don’t want to make a loop, you can make 3x SC into the last ST of the last row instead.

– you will now SC across the side into the row ends (Pic 3) going from the loop towards the foundation chain…1x SC into each single row and 3x SC into the last row

– the edging should be nice and flat, but if it is too tight (curls up) try to use a slightly larger hook or loosen up your tension. If the edging is too loose (wavy) try to use a slightly smaller hook or increase your tension.

– 1x SC into each chain of the foundation chain while carrying the starting tail with you to hide it inside the stitches, 3xSC into the last CH

– you will now SC across the side into the row ends again which will take you back to the last row…1x SC into each single row and 3x SC into the last row

– 1x SC into each ST of the last row which will take you back to the hanging loop

– 25x SC into the loop (Pic 4) and SL ST into the first SC you worked into the row ends on the side (Pic 4) and INV FO. And finally weave the yarn end in.

– if you didn’t crochet the loop then finish off by doing an INV FO once you reach the first SC you made into the corner when you started the edging and weave the yarn end in

– watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet the invisible fasten off

How to Change Colors

If you would like to change colors and create a stripy potholder you can follow the steps below:

– when working on the last SL ST at the end of a row: insert your hook into the last stitch; then yarn over with new color and complete the SL ST (Pic 5)

– then CH1 using the new color (Pic 6) and TO

– continue to crochet as per row R2

How to Count Rows When Crocheting Your Potholder

– you can either count the loop rows or the worked rows – this tutorial is written using worked rows

– worked row = every single row you will crochet

– loop row = two worked rows; one row will consist of the loops and the other row will be squeezed in between the loop rows

Video Tutorial

Watch this video tutorial that will show you step by step how to crochet the even moss stitch, how to change colors and how to count rows when working on a project using this crochet stitch. I have included both right handed and left handed versions for you.

Please don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel to receive an update every time I publish a new video. 😉

Right Handed

Left Handed

Share Your Finished Crochet Project with Us

I hope you enjoyed crocheting the potholder and found my crochet potholder pattern easy to follow! I welcome your feedback so please leave a comment in the comment box at the bottom of this blog post.

And as always, I love to see your finished crochet projects so please share a photo with us on social media with the hashtag #dreameecrochet.

Join our Dreamee Crochet Facebook group to share your makes, chat to fellow crocheters or to exchange tips and tricks. You can also share feedback and ask for support when working with my

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Happy crocheting!