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Potholders are needed in every kitchen, at least they are if you don’t enjoy burning or scarring your hands. (And well I don’t!) You can find potholders everywhere, even at the dollar store. But not every potholder is equal to the next, IMO. The best are thick, easy to maneuver and can hold up to anything. The only ones I use are the ones my Grandma crocheted for us and gave to us as a pair for Christmas years ago. I was lucky enough to have her show me how to make these back when I was in college. I had long forgotten about them until I recently came across the yarn and half made potholder in my craft stash. The memory came flooding back and although I can’t find the piece of paper that she wrote the directions down on I used that half made one to help myself piece it all together. My Grandma’s memory is no longer what it was and I am forever grateful that I was able to learn how to crochet these from her.

There are many other pins on Pinterest for this same potholder but none done the way my Grandma showed me.

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How to Crochet your Own Potholder

Materials List:

Step 1:

Start by creating the beginning of your chain. Make a loop and then grab the yarn going toward the ball of yarn and pull tight.

Beginning loop for starting a chain stitch crocheting

Then you are going to need to chain stitch 60 stitches. To start this you will stick your crochet hook through your loop and use the hook to grab the yarn and pull through another loop.

Using crochet hook to make a chain of stitches
The start of a chain stitch when crocheting
A start to a long single stitch crochet chain

The size of your potholder will ultimately depend on the looseness or tightness of your stitches.

Step 2:

A chain stitch of 60 stitches a great start to the perfect potholder

Once you have your 60 stitches you will create a circle by joining your beginning and last stitch. This entire potholder is stitched using a single crochet stitch.

By joining your two ends of the chain stitch together you will create a full circle

Step 3:

To create the potholder you will single stitch continuously around in a circle

Continuing stitching around your circle to create about 20 rows. I say about because again your potholder size will all depend on your stitch tightness. On some of my potholder the stitches were looser and therefore I didn’t need as many rows.

Step 4:

Fold the potholder into the square shape you desire. Depending on where your last stitch left off you may need to continue a couple more stitches to reach a corner or remove some. Cut off the yarn from your skein with a couple feet of extra to work with and pull the yarn through so it won’t unravel.

Potholder folded and ready to be stitched and completed

Step 5:

Using a big needle thread through your leftover tail and stitch up your potholder on each side and tie off.

Using a large needle you will want to sew up the seams of the potholders
Cotton potholders make a great gift and are a fast DIY

And there you have it!  A completed potholder, if you are determined you can easily create a pile of these in a weekend. I love using the variegated yarn since it creates such pretty patterns but I’ve also done solids. The potholders hold up well to machine washing should you spill on them and they are very durable and hold up to very high temperatures. These are the only potholders I ever use. I have many others in my “potholder drawer” but these are the ones I always grab and look for. And because the pattern came from my Grandma they will always hold a special place in my heart.

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5 Comments on How to make the Best Potholders

  1. I’ve often wondered how these were made. My grandma taught me to crochet when I was younger. I love how these look ! Thank you for sharing!

  2. I am making some for a fundraiser to support Walking with Jimmy, which takes families who have overcome childhood cancer camping near Seattle for a week! Thank you for this adorable pattern! I am already on my second one. Love it!

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