How to Crochet a Magic Square

Worsted-weight cotton yarn is best to make potholders.

The Magic Square is usually seen made into potholders. This easy-to-make item has been a church bazaar favorite for years, and made of single crochet stitches, it is incredibly durable. For potholders, cotton yarn is a better choice than polyester because polyester burns at a lower temperature and does not insulate as well. One skein of yarn will make multiple magic square potholders depending on their size. The square can easily be enlarged or decreased to make other square articles such as coasters, trivets and placemats, or joined together to make a blanket.

Things You'll Need

• One skein of worsted-weight cotton yarn
• Size G crochet hook

Instructions

1. Crochet a line of chain stitches. And average-sized potholder would start with 33 chain stitches.

2. Make three single crochet stitches in the second chain from the hook, and continue single crocheting in each chain except for the last.

3. Make three single crochet stitches in the last chain.

4. Continue around the corner created by the three single crochet stitches and single crochet into the bottom of each original chain stitch.

5. Continue single crocheting, making one stitch in each single crochet stitch around the entire piece without increasing.

6. Crochet in this manner until the edges meet in a line perpendicular to the original chain row.

7. Stitch these edges together with a slip-stitch or overcast stitch.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a hanging loop by chain stitching 20 before stitching the last, joining seam.

References

• The Boring Knitter: Crochet Potholder
• Coats & Clarks: Magic Square Potholder

Resources

• Posy: Magic Square Blanket