Single Crochet Potholder

If you can single crochet, you can make this heavy double thickness potholder.

Approximate Time: Two hours.

Supplies:

  • crochet hook
  • scrap yarn

Instructions:

  1. Chain 40 or whatever size you want your potholder. (This will be the size.)
  2. Single crochet on each side of the chain. Do not add stiches at the end of the row. You want it to start to "buckle" right away.
  1. Continue single crocheting around until the yarn meets. This will take awhile, so sit back and enjoy, but make sure not to add stitches.
  2. When the yarn meets you will be ready to close the potholder. I crochet it closed, but you can slip stitch and it will look exactly the same.
  3. Chain six (or whatever you would like) to form the loop. Inside the chain single crochet to give the loop strength.

This is a great way to use up scrap yarn and the potholders are very sturdy when going through the washer.

By Tedebear from San Jose CA

Editor's Note: Because we had so many people asking for clarification on the instructions of this craft, we asked Debra to see if she could simplify it. Here are her instructions for the same craft. Thanks Debra!

This is a super easy pattern for a potholder that is easy enough for a beginner. It works up into a nice thick potholder that can be made larger for a table heat mat. This potholder is worked in the round so there are no increases or turning. It works up fast and easy so that even a child learning to crochet can accomplish this pattern. It would make a great Christmas present for a grandmother, Aunt or Mommy or anyone who bakes. This project is also a great portable project so when you are at your doctors or anywhere you have to wait you can work on it, it can slide right into a purse.

Time: About 2-3 hours

Materials:

  • 1 crochet hook (appropriate to the yarn or thread used)
  • Scrap yarn (I used worsted weight) Color of your choice

Instructions

Chain 40

Round 1: single crochet in each stitch across, now single crochet across the bottom of the row you just made. You now have an oval piece.

Round 2 until finished: Continue to single crochet in each stitch around. With each round that you do the ends will start to fold in. This is what you want. Continue until both ends meet in the center. Now on my last row I just pulled the two sides together and slip stitched the opening closed but you could cut the yarn at this point and whip stitch the potholder closed.

Loop for hanging: At one corner attach yarn and chain six. Attach to corner with a slipstitch. Turn and single crochet in each stitch across. Cut and weave in ends.

Final Note: I worked this up in a variegated blue yarn I had left over from another project and it worked up into a nice diagonal striped pattern.

By Debra Frick

Jessica-Jean’s notes:

  • For safety’s sake, only use 100% cotton or 100% wool yarn or thread. Synthetics melt at high temperatures such as handling a tray from the oven.
  • Why add on the hanger loop? OR, for that matter, whipstitch? Instead, when you’ve reached the right size, do a double-chain long enough to be the hang loop, and then slip stitch the edges together. No cutting, adding, sewing! If your yarn/thread is long enough, the whole potholder can have as few as two ends to weave in: the beginning and the ending tails!
  • The pattern I’ve done for years is single crocheting through the back loop onlyfor the whole thing.
  • I always use a double-chain as my starting chain.