A crochet potholder is a small project with a real job. It has to be thick enough to protect your hands, so most patterns use two layers or a dense stitch. That makes them a great next step after your first dishcloth, and they make sweet gifts for a new home or a bridal shower.
Here are 13 free crochet potholder patterns, from simple folded squares to round flowers, fruit and charming vintage designs. Each one is free to read on the designer’s site or as a free Ravelry download.
Crochet Potholder Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- 100% cotton worsted weight yarn (#4)
- Crochet hook set, 4 mm to 5.5 mm
- Size 10 cotton crochet thread and steel hooks (for vintage styles)
- Yarn needle
- Plastic or metal rings for hanging loops
- Heat-resistant insulated batting (optional extra layer)
- Scissors
A safety note before you start: use cotton, not acrylic. Acrylic can melt when it touches a hot pan.
1. Crochet Folded Potholder
Photo: Michelle Gibbs / The Boring Knitter
This classic is worked as a square in the round, then folded and seamed, so you get two layers without making two pieces. The designer learned it from old potholders and wrote it up to share. It is one of the most popular free potholder patterns on Ravelry, and a great first potholder.
- Designer: Michelle Gibbs / The Boring Knitter
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted weight (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Free Crochet Potholder Pattern in 2 Sizes
Photo: Petals to Picots
A pretty round potholder in two colors with a scalloped edge. It is worked from a magic ring in joined rounds, and you can choose a small or large size. Red and white cotton gives it a cheerful, country kitchen look.
- Designer: Petals to Picots
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton (#4), two colors
- Hook: 5 mm (H-8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Thick Mesh Pot Holder
Photo: Candy / Meladora’s Creations
This one is double thick in two ways. The stitches are worked two rows down to make a dense mesh, and the tube is folded and closed so you get two layers. It looks great in variegated yarn and only uses chain, single and double crochet.
- Designer: Candy / Meladora’s Creations
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted weight (#4), about one skein for a pair
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Gingham or Buffalo Check Potholders
Photo: Hollymarie K
The front has a check pattern and the back is solid. Both layers are double crochet, joined with a round of single crochet. Pick red and white for picnic gingham or black and red for buffalo check. Less than a ball of each color is enough.
- Designer: Hollymarie K
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Stir Me Up Potholders
Photo: MintyFresh
Colorful spiral stripes make these double-thick potholders look like a swirl of candy. They are reversible, so there is no wrong side. They were designed for a potholder swap, which tells you they are meant to be used and given away.
- Designer: MintyFresh
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted weight (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Wiggle It Crochet Trivet
Photo: Tamara Kelly / Moogly
Ruffles worked over a round mesh base make this trivet thick and wavy. It is 11 inches across, big enough for a casserole dish, and the same page has a matching small dishcloth. It is a fun way to learn how surface ruffles are made.
- Designer: Tamara Kelly / Moogly
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted weight kitchen cotton (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Tutti Frutti Potholders
Photo: Wink / Envato Tuts+
Round potholders that look like slices of fruit. You work double crochet rounds from a magic circle, add the wedge lines with surface slip stitch, and back it with felt for extra protection. Make an orange, a lemon or a watermelon.
- Designer: Wink / Envato Tuts+
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Cotton yarn
- Hook: 4 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Sunflower Potholder
Photo: Pradeepa / The Lazy Hobbyhopper
A brown center made with puff stitches and yellow petals worked in short rows around the edge. It is about 7.5 inches across and makes a bright kitchen accent. The designer rewrote it from a vintage pattern that was hard to follow.
- Designer: Pradeepa / The Lazy Hobbyhopper
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Sport weight (#2)
- Hook: 5 mm (H-8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Rose Ripple Potholder
Photo: Claudia Lowman / Delights
A spiral rose sits in the middle and a border of nine ripples circles around it. It is two-sided and has a plastic ring for hanging. The page includes diagrams plus notes for using finer cotton.
- Designer: Claudia Lowman / Delights
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Heavy worsted kitchen cotton such as Sugar ‘n Cream
- Hook: G (F for finer cotton)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Margaret’s Double Cross Stitch Potholder
Photo: Miki Wilkins
A one-piece, round potholder about 7 inches across, full of texture from bobbles, cables and twisted stitches. The designer found the stitch by accident while making one for her mother-in-law. Choose this when you want to stretch your skills.
- Designer: Miki Wilkins
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Worsted weight / 8-ply cotton (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G) for cotton
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Scottie Potholder
Photo: Lily Mills Company / Free Vintage Crochet
A vintage potholder shaped like a Scottie dog, with a green collar and a little bone ring. Two halves are worked and sewn together, and the back is lined with fabric. The old wording can be tricky, so read slowly.
- Designer: Lily Mills Company / Free Vintage Crochet
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Cotton yarn (Lily or Sugar ‘n Cream) plus embroidery floss
- Hook: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Vintage Circular Potholder
Photo: Courtney Cartwright (3Cman)
A round potholder made from two thread layers joined with half double crochet. The designer worked out the pattern from a vintage piece. It is fine and detailed, so it suits crocheters who enjoy thread work.
- Designer: Courtney Cartwright (3Cman)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Size 10 cotton crochet thread
- Hook: 1.5 mm
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Old Fashioned Potholders
Photo: Cathy / My Little Kitchen
A family pattern that was never written down until this blog post. Two round thread pieces grow from a small ring with five increase points, then a final round joins them. Commenters mention round 4 takes care, so go slowly there.
- Designer: Cathy / My Little Kitchen
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Size 10 cotton crochet thread
- Hook: Size 7 steel hook
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First potholder ever? Start with #1, the folded potholder. One piece, two layers.
- Want a classic look? Try #4 for gingham or #2 for a round two-color potholder.
- Need something extra thick? #3 is double thick by design.
- Love cute shapes? Go for #7 fruit slices or #11 the Scottie dog.
- Ready for thread? #12 and #13 are lovely vintage-style projects.
FAQ
What yarn should I use for a crochet potholder?
Use 100% cotton. It handles heat well and does not melt. Worsted weight kitchen cotton is the easiest choice. Avoid acrylic and other synthetic yarns for anything that touches hot pans, since they can melt and stick to your skin.
How do I make my crochet potholder thick enough?
Use two layers, a dense stitch like single crochet, or both. Many patterns crochet two pieces and join them, or fold one piece in half. A smaller hook also makes tighter fabric. For very hot dishes, you can add a layer of heat-resistant batting between the layers.
Is a crochet potholder good for beginners?
Yes. A square potholder in single or double crochet is a great second project after a dishcloth. It teaches you to keep edges straight and to join two pieces. Start with a simple square or folded design before trying shapes or thread patterns.
Make a pair in your kitchen colors and you will reach for them every day.
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