Loop Potholder Directions
Loop potholders were originally made from leftover sock material. This extra loop material was strung over a peg loom and woven together to make a thick potholder that was eco-friendly. One of the problems with these original potholders was that the loop material and sizes were inconsistent and the color selection was limited. Over the years, the popularity of this craft has led to the direct manufacture of potholder loops that are consistent in size and varied in color. This simple craft is appropriate for crafters ages 6 and up.
Instructions
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1
Place your peg loom on a flat surface and sort your loops into the colors you wish to use for your potholder. Using red and white loops makes things simple. Peg looms are typically 7-inches square with pegs evenly spaced on all four sides. There are usually at least 18 pegs per side, sometimes more.
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2
Stretch your first red loop across your loom from side to side from peg 1 to peg 1. Stretch a white loop from peg 2 to peg 2. Alternate red and white loops down your loom until all of your side pegs are full.
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3
Press the loops down on the pegs so that they are at the bottom of the pegs. This will help them stay on the pegs while you are weaving.
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4
Weave your weaving hook between the horizontal loops. You will go over red, under white, over red, under white. Keep in mind that you will be going over and under two strands at once since each loop has two strands. Place a red loop over the top left peg. Hold your finger over the top of the peg so it can't slip off.
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Hook the end of the red loop into the hook of your weaving hook and, keeping the hook flat to the loops, pull the red loop across the loom (through the horizontal loops). Place the end of the loop over the first bottom peg on the left. Use your finger tips to tuck the woven loop to the left.
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6
Weave your weaving hook between the horizontal loops again. This time you will go under red, over white, under red, over white, keeping in mind that you will be going over and under two strands at once. Place a white loop over the top left peg 2. Hold your finger over the top of the peg so it can't slip off.
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7
Hook the end of the white loop into the hook of your weaving hook and, once again keeping the hook flat to the loops, pull the white loop across the loom (through the horizontal loops). Place the end of the loop over the second bottom peg on the left. Use your finger tips to tuck the woven loop to the left. Continue alternating colors until all of your pegs are full.
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8
Start in the right-hand corner. With your crochet hook pointing left, slide the hook through the first loop and lift that loop off the peg and onto your crochet hook. Slip your crochet hook through the next loop to the left and hook the loop. Pull the loop off the peg and through the loop that was on your crochet hook. Continue hooking, lifting off and pulling through all the way around the four sides.
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Pull your final loop through and stretch it. You can use this corner loop to hang your potholder. Tack your final loop in place by sewing with a needle and thread. This will keep your loops from coming undone.
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Tips & Warnings
Loop potholders can be crocheted together into larger squares for other projects. There are endless varieties of colors and patterns you can use to make your potholders special.
Select a metal or wood peg loom as plastic pegs will often break under loop pressure.
