Posted by: Michelle | January 23, 2008

Crochet Potholder pattern

This isn’t my pattern. It’s on the internet in a couple of different places, but I love it so much that I thought it should be here as well. It’s in Ravelry twice for two different places so I doubt I’ll put it in a third time just to get traffic here. But I may change my mind later. My Mom has some of these potholders that are probably older than me and they hold up great! I already have a stack of about ten so the ones you see here will probably be my last for quite some time. And this pattern is so easy, that I’ve done this in a movie theater during the movie with no problems. So here’s the “pattern”.

EDITED TO ADD: I use a G hook when working with these because I like a thick fabric. Also, I’m putting the pattern on Ravelry after all as Crochet Folded Potholder since a couple of people were having trouble finding the other versions. I won’t be at all offended if you use one of the other Ravelry entries. Just make the potholder! :-)
First, make a chain. The longer the chain, the larger the potholder. Here I started with 33 chains. SC three times one chain from the hook. SC in each chain stopping one before end. SC three times in that last chain. Now you’re going to SC back on the opposite side of the chain. The top part of the below photo shows the turn and coming back on the other side.

starting row

This potholder is worked in the round, but in a spiral rather than distinct rows. When you get back to the initial three SC, SC directly into the first one rather than a typical join. Then keep on SCing in every SC around. It’s a little finicky the first several rounds on the ends, but it’s worth the effort! You can work either on the “inside” or “outside” by changing the curve of the ends. I tend to work on the inside, but the green one I’m working on the outside. The right side shows outside and the left side shows inside.
beginning to see shape

Keep SCing around until the edges meet when you fold them together. The left one shows the folding and the right shows the completed potholder. Before you seam the edges together, you can chain 12 to make a hanging loop. I like the seam with a regular old standard stitch through both strands of the loop on opposing SCs. Make sure to pull it tight in the beginning or your loop can eventually start pulling out. The variegated potholder has 37 starting chains so you can see the slight difference in size. I used less than 98 yards to make the green one and I should be able to finish the larger one with just one skein of Sugar’n Cream. I hope you enjoy making these as much as I do!

finished potholder

Copyright 2008 Michelle Gibbs for all content and photos. All rights reserved. This pattern is for personal or nonprofit use. You may not sell items made from this pattern or sell the pattern itself.


Responses

  1. thats a cute little potholder. We both must have felt some crocheting vibes… I started the babette blanket today ;)

  2. Hm, I think I need some of these! And Sugar ‘n Cream is on sale at AC Moore too….

  3. Cool! I am going to try this one.

  4. Those are so cool! You know i want to make some! Thanks for posting the pattern. If only I had some cotton yarn… ;)

  5. Cute potholders! Too bad I don’t know how to crochet!

  6. I have some cotton yarn I was wanting to use up…thanks for the pattern!

  7. Totally off topic, well maybe not, it is about crochet. I’m looking for yarn in my stash to make your scarf (real soon). Crochet items are more stiff then knitted items. Do you use a hook much larger than on the band for the yarn called for? Or not at all? I don’t have the yarn you used, and I don’t want to buy any more yarn. The pot holders are cute. I remember we used cotton crochet pot holder a lot, when I was a child. My mom collects potholders, with the funniest designs.

  8. The original designer of this pattern is:
    “Marion Roggow, of Athens, Michigan”

    I have info and my version of the pattern on my website here:
    http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/kitchen-potholders.html

    Bev

  9. [...] been somewhat in “potholder mode” this week as I’ve finished three and have two more that I am wanting to [...]

  10. Neat! I first used this for a pincushion about forty years ago. Then we called it the Magic Square. And yes, it is neat. Smiles, Heather

  11. [...] another potholder- and it’s a good one!!! The folded potholder that Michelle posted on her blog last [...]

  12. This is one of my favorite potholders too. I found the pattern a while back when I bought some yarn at a garage sale, only to find that it was all in long pieces. Being someone who hates to throw away anything. I made the potholder with the pieces. All the knots that were on the inside only made it thicker. I usually keep one of them going in my take out yarn bag for my ends that I would probably loose otherwise. Jeanne

  13. My grandmother used to make these potholders when i was learning to crochet, (some 35years ago) it is one of the very first things i learned to make.

  14. [...] Pattern with lots of good pictured instructions is here. [...]

  15. I can remember by sister’s mother-in-law making these potholders 35 years ago. I have never seen a written pattern for them.
    Thanks for taking the time to put the pattern in writing, and the pictures help a lot.

    Chris Z.

  16. I’m wondering how you make the corners come out straight? Mine seem to “rounded” and not looking square at all.

  17. [...] also crocheted a bunch more potholders, including this one. Kind of looks like neopolitan ice cream, doesn’t [...]

  18. My grandmother made these. I couldn’t remember how to get started and there you are, on Ravelry, with the prettiest pictures to go with instructions! Thanks!

  19. [...] Click for pattern. [...]

  20. Michelle,

    I am in the process of finishing up the crochet folded potholder which is darling to make. Very quick and easy. However, I’m a bit confused by your statement in the pattern which says “I like the seam with a regular old standard stitch through both strands of the loop on opposing SC’s.” Do you mean that you sew the seam or do you crochet the seam? I’m willing to do whichever one looks best. Would you kindly explain your preference? Thanks so much. Look forward to hearing from you soon. :-)

  21. Thanks for the pattern. I’m just starting my first crochet potholder now. I’m just learning crochet, but I have been knitting for awhile now.

  22. [...] Folded potholders for my mom’s 2 sisters in Sugar n Cream Sunshine, Peaches & Cream Fiesta Ombre, Sugar N Cream Hot Green(Picture 1), and Sugar N Cream Mistletoe, Pine, and Shades of Green (Picture 2). [...]

  23. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I’ve been looking for this everywhere!!!

  24. Thanks for the pot pattern… I saw them at a chruch bazaar and searched the internet until – behold – you had it and it is very clear except for the stitching together….. do you just use a whip stitch? I’m at that point and frustrated. Tried to find your ‘ravelry’ site but my machine tells me I don’t know how to spell. Is is me or the machine? Couldn’t possibly be moi…….

  25. I can’t thank you enough for your instructions for the potholder and the photos, which made it so much easier to know that I was doing the right thing. I have made 40+ of these and have received many compliments…I always give you credit. Thanks for sharing and you are definitely NOT boring, you are gift from God!!

  26. RE: Seaming Questions (from the original pattern):

    “eventually it will form a square that you can whipstitch together at the open seam”

  27. has there ever been a knitted version of this pattern? I know it is really easy in crochet as it is but I am just terribly curious.

  28. Thank you! I taught myself how to do the stitches necessary to make the potholder from your description and photos. Now I hope to progress, but want to do potholders for my family as I remember them from childhood. My best wishes, Karen

  29. I am not sure that anyone actually invented this pattern as I have seen this in different versions (as in different stitches/patterns) from different countries in vintage books I have. I think anyone who has tried to crochet in this way notices how it folds and thought to use it for potholders.

  30. OMG my mother taught me how to crochet with one of these!!!

  31. I am just learning to crochet. This potholder looks so easy, I think I will try it.
    Thanks

  32. [...] turkis, samme farge som mine kjøkkengardiner og passer helt fint sammen. Mønsteret er fra “My Boring Life“. Jeg har bare laget en kant rundt, men det er ikke nødvendig. Veldig kjekke, doble [...]

  33. Thank-You so,so much. I have been looking for this pattern for awhile. Making my first now, so excited.
    Thanks


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