How to Crochet a Pot Holder for a Serving Dish

Choose a yarn color that complements your dishes.

If you love to crochet but the thought of a months-long project such as an afghan is overwhelming, consider crocheting hot pads for your kitchen. The thick, absorbent nature of cotton yarn makes it a conducive medium for your dishes while providing a decorative accent you cannot find in stores. Both of these tightly-woven pot holders employ the ubiquitous single crochet stitch and can be made quickly. Perhaps the best part? If you come to the end of the pattern and want to make the hot pad bigger, you can keep your fingers moving until you reach the size that’s right for your dishes.

Things You'll Need

• 6 ounces cotton yarn (for either pot holder)
• Size J hook
• Scissors

Instructions

Nubby Pot Holder

1. Chain 22 stitches with a size J hook. Starting at the second chain the hook, work one single crochet in each chain across. Chain 1 and turn.

2. Work in the *back loops only to place one single crochet in each single crochet *across. Chain 1 and turn row 2.

3. Repeat row 2. Chain 1 and turn.

4. Work in the *back loops only to place one single crochet in each single crochet *across. Make one single crochet in the base of the next single crochet in row 2. Skip one single crochet, make one single crochet in the back loop of each of the next three single crochets and repeat from *across. End with one single crochet in the back loop of the last two single crochets. Chain 1 and turn.

5. Work in the *back loops only to place one single crochet in each single crochet *across. Chain 1 and turn row 5.

6. Repeat row 5. Chain 1 and turn.

7. Single crochet in the base of the single crochet in row 5 across. Skip one single crochet and single crochet through the back loops of the next three single crochets. Make one single crochet through the base of the next single crochet of row 5 and repeat from *across. Chain 1 and turn.

8. Repeat rows 2 through 7 three times, then rows 2 through 5 once.

9. 

   Pot holders are an ideal crochet project for children -- fast and simple.

   Circle the perimeter of the pot holder with a single crochet stitch for durability, then fasten off.

Diamond Pot Holder

1. Chain 27 stitches, or a length of 7 inches.

2. *Single crochet in the third chain from the hook in each chain *across. Chain 2 and turn.

3. Single crochet in the first single crochet. Chain 2 (yarn over, insert hook in last single crochet and pull a loop through) three times. Yarn over and draw through all the loops on the cook to create the diamond cluster. Skip 2 single crochet, then single crochet in the next single crochet. Repeat from *across, to create eight diamond clusters. Chain 2 and turn.

4. Single crochet in the first single crochet. Single crochet in the top of the diamond cluster, single crochet in the chain 2 stitch and single crochet in the next single crochet. Repeat from across. Chain 2 and turn.

5. Repeat rows 2 and 3, alternately, until the pot holder measures 7 inches. End with the third row.

6. 

   Try hand-washing your crocheted pot holders before tossing them in the laundry.

   Circle the perimeter of the pot holder with a single crochet stitch for durability, then fasten off.

References

• PeachesandCreme.com: Kitchen, Bed and Bath Knitting Patterns
• FreeVintageCrochet.com: Double Diamond Potholder

Resources

• Bittersweet.com: A Slice of Summer
• Crafttown.com: Bottlecap Hot Mat