This easy-to-make crochet potholder is double thick to protect your hands, counters, and table. A pretty, yet practical gift that will last for years.
Potholders are one of my favorite projects to give as gifts. They’re quick and easy, and super practical for anyone who likes to cook and bake.
Traditional double-thick potholders are usually worked on the diagonal, but mine is worked straight. My version is also larger, because I like to use them as trivets for protecting my counters and table from hot pots, pans, and baking dishes.
Cotton yarn is a must for making potholders, because it is insulating and machine washable. Unlike some types of yarns, cotton will not melt when in contact with heat.
Double Thick Crochet Potholder / Hot Pad
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Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Abbreviations:
st: stitch
beg: beginning
sts: stitches
ea: each
nxt: next
sl st: slip stitch
sp: space
sk: skip
ch: chain stitch
sc: single crochet
Supplies:
US Size G (4.0 mm or 4.25 mm) crochet hook ( I like this one )
About 165 yds of #4 worsted weight cotton yarn
Yarn Needle or Blunt Tapestry Needle
Scissors
Ruler (for measuring gauge)
Stitch marker (I prefer the Locking Type, this is the best deal I’ve found)
Gauge: 18 sc sts = 4″ (10.16 cm) and 19 sc rows = 4″ (10.16 cm). You may need to go up or down a hook size to get the correct gauge. Correct gauge is not crucial to this pattern, but it may affect your yardage.
The finished potholder measures 8″ by 8″ (20.32 cm by 20.32 cm)
The Pattern:
With G hook and worsted weight cotton yarn, ch 35.
Round 1: sk 1st ch, sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in nxt 32 chs. 4 sc in last ch (see arrow in photo below).
Working on opposite side of ch, sc in nxt 32 chs.
Tip: crochet over your tail to avoid weaving it in later. 
2 sc in last ch. Place st marker in current loop on hook. You should have 72 sts, including the ch skipped at beg of round.
Round 2: Sc in the ch that was skipped at beg of round below (see arrow in photo below).
Sc in nxt 71 sts around. Move marker to current loop on hook. You should have 72 sts. 
Round 3-38: Sc in nxt 72 sts around. Move marker to current loop on hook. You should have 72 sts. 
The stitch marker will be offset a little. 
Sc in nxt 6 sts, sl st in nxt st. Ch 14, sl st in same st. Tie off, leave at least a 24″ (61 cm) tail.
Decide whether you would like the right side or the wrong side to show on the outside of the potholder. I chose to make the wrong side face out, but here is what my potholder would look like with the right side out.
Thread your tail through the eye of your yarn needle. Whip stitch the opening at the top edge of the potholder closed. 
Tie off, weave in ends. Block lightly if desired.
What’s your favorite type of crochet potholder?
22 Comments
Lisa
Hello, I’m on row 5 and my potholder measures 9” across. 18 stitches measures 4”. What am I doing wrong? I’m using a ‘f’ hook. Please advise. Thank you.
Yay for Yarn
Hi Lisa! If you’re getting the correct gauge with the hook size you’re using, have you tried checking to see if you have the correct number of stitches in your round? If a few extra stitches were accidentally added on the first round, where you increase stitches into the ends of the chain, that could cause the potholder to be a bit larger, even if you have the correct gauge. I hope this helps!
Amy
Do you need to use the stitch marker or can you just keep going around and around til you get the size you want?
Yay for Yarn
Hi Amy. Yes, you could do it without the stitch marker, and just keep working rounds until it is long enough. You’ll want to make sure you end your last round at the side edge of the potholder. I hope this helps!
Pat
thanks for pattern could you email how to make bigger otherwise I do know how to crochet great video thanks
Yay for Yarn
Hi Pat. If you want to make the potholder larger, you can just make a longer chain before beginning round 1. To make the potholder longer, you would just repeat round 3 until it is the length that you want. I hope this helps!
Elizabeth
Is it possible to get the printed pattern for the double sided potholder please. Or the place I can download it from please?
Yay for Yarn
Hi Elizabeth! Unfortunately, I do not currently have a printable version of this pattern available. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help!
Linda M Cardinal
Where is the printable pattern for this potholder?
Yay for Yarn
Hi Linda! I am working on getting the printable version ready to publish, but it is not quite finished yet. I can let you know when it is ready if you like. Thanks!
Kay Simpson
Been crocheting these potholders like crazy in cotton yarn! I also make a mini version (15 chains) crocheted with 2″ wide strips of bridal tulle for scrubbies… soooo cute! Some of the scrubbies, I start out with cotton then add a couple of rounds n tulle then finish up with the cotton. LOVE the potholders, scrubbies and this pattern!
We could use the small addi… Rectangle tube (? rows), Kitchener one end, fold, Kitchener remaining edge. Depending on tension, the end result should be a 2″ to 3″ square.
The same concept could be used for the big Addi and make super large platter size hotpads or even small pillows.
Love your tutorials, both written and video because they are always extremely well thought out and impeccably executed!
Yay for Yarn
Thanks so much, Kay! I’m so glad you are enjoying the pattern! I haven’t tried crocheting with tulle before, but I might have to try that sometime. 🙂
Brandy Vig
This is an awesome pattern! Thank you 🙂 Just the right size for those of us with larger hands.
Yay for Yarn
Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed the pattern!
M
I have to tell you how much I LOVE this pattern. I ran out of yarn so I ended up making it a short rectange but it’s GREAT like that too!
I used a seed stitch to amuse myself and add extra funk. The options are really endless with this. I’m so thankful you shared it! Doing it in the round makes it so much less tedious than making two and sewing together.
LOVE IT! 🙂
Yay for Yarn
Thanks! I am so glad you like it!
Nettie from Indiana
I like all of them. I have one thing to for you to note. You should notate in your directions for those of us that have never done a double sided potholder in this way before, that the ends are supposed to curl up as you go around them. I wasn’t sure if I was doing it right at first because of the curling up. I thought maybe it was printed wrong! So maybe you could add a notation that they are supposed to curl up so everyone knows. I am used to double sided potholders done in two separate pieces and then crocheted together. I would put the notation somewhere in round 2 so people know what to expect. Thanks for this pattern. I figured it out eventually.
Nettie from Indiana
Also, I don’t really feel the need to put a marker for every round. Takes too much time. If you just continue crocheting in the round until potholder measures approximately 8×8 it comes out the same. Once you establish 72 stitches you will always have 72 stitches as long as no increase or decrease is made right? Just sayin.
Nettie from Indiana
And one last thing, these are huge potholders. For anyone wanting a potholder to fit a ladies hand, I would suggest making it in a rectangle shape. (stop at row 28-30) Otherwise if you are giving it to a man than it would be a nice size. Excess potholder would tend to get more food on it if you know what I mean. I also didnt fasten off when I came to the last stitch, I just turned and closed it with a row of single crochet, then chained 8 and sc back down the ch8 connected with a ss to form a loop.
Yay for Yarn
Yes, these are large potholders. I like to put them under large baking dishes or pans to protect my countertops and tables. I also like the extra protection from burning my hands. 🙂 Because these potholders are cotton, I just throw them in the washing machine if they get dirty. Thanks!
Jackie Ramsdell
I love the ombre color on the top
Yay for Yarn
Thank you Jackie! I like that one too. It is bright and cheery! 🙂