A crochet potholder is the project to recommend to anyone who has just started crocheting. It's small enough to finish in an evening, forgiving of uneven tension, and you get to use it in the kitchen right away. The one thing that really matters is the yarn: a potholder has to handle a hot pan without melting or wearing thin.
Checklist: decide this before you start
- Are you using cotton, or another yarn that can take heat?
- One layer, or two layers (or yarn held double) for extra insulation?
- Which stitch gives a fabric dense enough to block the heat?
- Will it have a hanging loop, and how will you attach it securely?
Why cotton is the best yarn for potholders
Synthetic yarns like acrylic can melt when they touch a hot pan, and that's exactly what you don't want in a potholder. Cotton (or linen) doesn't melt, it can be washed warm, and it feels firm in the hand. Durable Coral is a 100% cotton yarn (50 g / 125 m, hook 2.5-3.5 mm) that's often used for potholders and other kitchen textiles, and it comes in enough colors to make a set that matches your kitchen. Whatever yarn you use, a potholder protects your hands from heat; it doesn't make you heatproof, so grab hot handles with care.
Which stitch protects best
The denser the stitch, the better the insulation. Single crochet (UK: double crochet) is the standard choice because it makes a compact, closed fabric without holes for heat to get through. If you'd like more texture, waffle stitch makes a thicker fabric with a raised grid that also gives a good grip on a pan handle. Moss stitch (also called granite or linen stitch) lies flatter but is still nicely dense. We explain both in our guide to moss stitch and waffle stitch.
| Stitch | Thickness | Insulation | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single crochet, one layer | Medium | Good | Beginner |
| Single crochet, two layers | Thick | Very good | Beginner |
| Waffle stitch | Thick, textured | Very good | Beginner to intermediate |
| Moss stitch | Medium | Good | Beginner to intermediate |
Not sure a thinner stitch will protect enough? Make two squares and crochet or sew them together, or hold two strands of yarn together as you work. Holding the yarn double is the quickest way to make any stitch thick enough for a hot pan (use a hook about 1-2 mm larger).
Size and shape
Most potholders are 18 to 22 cm (7 to 8.5 in) across, square or round. A square potholder is usually worked in rows, back and forth. A round one starts with a magic ring and grows with increases in every round. A granny square also works, as long as you line it with a solid single crochet layer, because the gaps let heat through. If you're just starting out, a square in single crochet is the fastest way to end up with something useful.
How to crochet a simple square potholder
- Chain 41. With a fine cotton like Coral and a 3 mm hook that gives roughly 20 cm (8 in); with a thicker yarn you'll need fewer chains, so measure after a few rows.
- Row 1: single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook and in every chain across (40 sc). Chain 1 and turn.
- Next rows: 1 sc in each stitch across, chain 1, turn. Repeat until the piece is square.
- Edge: work single crochet around all four sides, with 3 sc in each corner so it stays flat.
- Loop: see below.
Adding a hanging loop
At the end of the edging, when you reach a corner, chain about 12 to 15, slip stitch back into the corner, and work single crochet over the chain loop back to the corner for a firm loop. Fasten off and weave the end in well on the back so the loop doesn't come loose when you hang it up.
Washing and care
Cotton potholders can usually go in the washing machine on a warm cycle (40 °C / 104 °F, or hotter if the yarn label allows). Skip the fabric softener: it leaves a coating on cotton that makes it less absorbent, so spills and steam soak through less well. Lay them flat to dry so they keep their shape.
Frequently asked questions
Can I crochet potholders with acrylic yarn?
You can, but acrylic melts at high temperatures, so it's not a good choice for a potholder that touches a hot pan. Cotton is the safer option.
How much yarn do I need for a crochet potholder?
For one single-layer potholder of about 20 x 20 cm (8 x 8 in) in single crochet, plan on roughly one 50 g ball of cotton. A double-layer potholder needs about twice as much. Textured stitches like waffle stitch use more yarn than plain single crochet.
What hook size should I use for potholders?
Use the smaller end of the range on the yarn label, or go down half a size, so the fabric is dense enough to insulate. For a fine cotton like Durable Coral that's about 2.5-3 mm (roughly US C-2); for a heavier worsted cotton, about 4-4.5 mm (US G-6 to 7).
Is a potholder a good first crochet project?
Yes, it's one of the most popular first projects. You practice the basic stitches on a small, manageable piece. Our guide to the basic crochet stitches helps if you've never crocheted before.
Can I use leftover yarn for potholders?
Sure, as long as you combine cotton with cotton. Try to use yarns of similar thickness, or the fabric will turn out uneven.
Get started
A crochet potholder takes an evening and gives you something useful right away, which makes it a good, low-risk project for trying out a new stitch. New to crochet altogether? Start with crochet for beginners and make a potholder your first finished piece.
