New Potholders

New Potholders by Iglinz Crafts

What Is Being Made

The New Potholders pattern creates a practical, old-fashioned potholder measuring 18 x 18cm (7 1/4 x 7 1/4 inches). This downloadable crochet pattern from Iglinz Crafts is designed for makers who want to craft functional kitchen accessories using a simple, beginner-friendly approach. The finished potholders feature colorwork created with three distinct colors of sport weight cotton yarn, allowing crafters to customize their designs to complement their kitchen décor.

Techniques Used

The potholder is constructed using fundamental crochet techniques suitable for beginners. The piece is worked in rows rather than rounds, with a straightforward construction method. The pattern employs yarn carrying techniques, where unused colors are carried up the sides of the work as new colors are introduced. This method keeps the yarns in place during construction, and the carried yarns are later concealed when the border is added to the finished piece. The color changes create visual interest while maintaining the simplicity of the stitch work.

Stitches Used

The New Potholders pattern focuses primarily on single crochet, making it an ideal beginner project. The pattern also incorporates the following essential crochet stitches:

• Chain (ch) – used to create the foundation and turning chains
• Single crochet (sc) – the main stitch throughout the potholder body
• Slip stitch (sl st) – used for joining and finishing

Each row begins with a chain 2 at the starting edge, which counts as the first single crochet and sits above the last single crochet of the previous row. The first single crochet of each row is skipped to maintain proper stitch count and even edges.

Materials

The New Potholders pattern calls for Schachenmayr Catania yarn, a 100% cotton sport weight yarn. This yarn is specified at 125 meters per 50 grams (137 yards per 1.76 ounces). Crafters will need one ball each of three different colors, though only approximately 50 meters (55 yards) of each color is required to complete a single potholder. The cotton fiber content makes this yarn ideal for kitchen textiles, as cotton is heat-resistant, durable, and easy to care for.

The pattern requires a 3.5mm/US E crochet hook and a yarn needle for weaving in ends. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 30 rows in the stitch pattern, measuring 10cm or 4 inches. Maintaining this gauge ensures the finished potholder reaches the intended dimensions and provides proper thickness for heat protection.

Pattern Details

The pattern is written using American crochet terminology, making it accessible to crafters familiar with standard US crochet abbreviations. The difficulty level is rated as easy, reflecting the predominance of single crochet stitches and straightforward construction. The pattern uses color abbreviations (C1, C2, C3) to indicate when to change colors, and includes standard crochet notations for rows (r/rs) and rounds (rnd). This downloadable PDF format allows crafters to print the pattern for easy reference while working.