Crocheting: Stash Busting Crochet Potholders. 10 Fun and Functional Potholders Designs for You to Crochet
Author: Wilks, Dorothy
Date: 2015-05-09

Stash Busting Crochet Potholders

10 Fun and Functional Potholders Designs for You to Crochet

By Dorothy Wilks

Thank you so much for purchasing this book on stash busting potholders. You may have bits and pieces of yarn, not enough for a full project, but not enough to throw away, taking up space in your stash. I know I do! So I thought why not design some fun and functional potholders to use up those bits of yarn.

The yarn I used for this book was Red Heart Super Saver in various colors. These patterns can be used with acrylic or cotton yarn, or a combination of both. Use whatever you have on hand, and don’t be afraid to combine colors to make lively pieces of functional art. I hope you enjoy these patterns, I know I’ve enjoyed designing them for you.

Contents

Rectangle Motif Potholder

Sunny Day Potholder

Double Strand Potholder

Spike Stitch Potholder

Puff Stitch Potholder

Ridged Circles Potholder

Cluster Stitch Flower Potholder

Triangle Double Strand Potholder

Seed Stitch Motif Potholder

Shell Fan Potholder

End Notes

Rectangle Motif Potholder

This potholder would be perfect used under rectangular baking dishes or when you need a longer potholder to cover your table. I used a US i/9 (5.50mm) crochet hook for this pattern.

Motif Pattern

With Color A create magic circle and crochet 8sc into the ring, join in 1st sc

Rnd 1: ch3, 2dc into same sp, *ch3, sk 1 st, 3dc into next st* repeat twice more and join in 3rd st of turning chain

Rnd 2: Attach  Color B in any ch3 sp, ch3, 2dc in same sp, ch1, longdc into the skipped sc in round below, ch1, 3dc in same ch3 sp, *ch1, in next ch3 sp, (3dc, ch1, longdc into the skipped sc in round below, ch1, 3dc)* repeat around and join in 3rd st of turning chain

Assembly

Thread a tapestry or blunt needle with yarn and slip stitch squares together holding the right sides together and catching the outer loops of the edging stitches. Sew the squares into 2 strips and then sew the strips together.

Edging

Round 1: Join yarn in the next stitch after a corner ch1 and sc all of the way around crocheting 3 sc stitches into the corners, join.

Round 2: Repeat Round 1

Round 3: Ch5, 2trb in same space, *skip 1 st, sc, skip 1 st, 3trb in same st* repeat around, fasten off and weave in tails.

Sunny Day Potholder

Add some sunshine to your table with this cute sunny potholder. I used a US I/9 (5.50mm) crochet hook for this pattern.

Create a magic circle and crochet 8 sc into circle, close and join

Rnd 1: ch1, sc into same sp, 2sc into each st around, join

Rnd 2: ch3, dc into same sp, 2dc into each sc around, join

Rnd 3: ch3, dc into same sp, 2dc into each dc around, join

Rnd 4: ch3, dc into same sp, *dc into next st, 2dc into next st*

Sun’s Rays

*Chain 6, in the 2nd chain from the hook sc, crochet down the chain working hdc, dc, trb, dtrb, skip 5sts on the round and sl st into the 5th st* Repeat around and join in last st, fasten off.

Surface Crochet

Hold the yarn on the wrong side of the potholder. Make a slip knot and insert the hook from the front of the potholder between two of the stitches in Round 1. Grab the slip knot and pull it up to the right side of the fabric. Insert the hook into the space between the next two stitches (working right to left) and grab the yarn and pull it up through the fabric and the loop on the hook. Insert the hook into the space between the next two stitches, grab the yarn and pull it through the fabric and the loop on the hook.

Continue to work this way around the first round of stitches. When you get back around to the first stitch, pull the yarn up into a longer loop, take the hook out of the yarn and insert it from the back through the first stitch and grab the loop. Gently tighten the loop up around the hook and pull it through the fabric to the back. Move to the next round of stitches and repeat this process. Work surface crochet slip stitches around the stitches of each round including the last row of stitches to the edge. You will carry the yarn up the back of the fabric and not break the yarn until you have completed the surface crochet.

Double Strand Potholder

This potholder works up nice and quick. It is very thick and is perfect for dishes right out of the oven or pots hot off the stove.

Crab or reverse single crochet stitch: For this stitch you will work left to right. Insert the hook into the next stitch to the right, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook. This is exactly like a single crochet except it is worked from left to right. This stitch gives a nice rope look to an edge and really finishes it off.

With a size US J/10 (6.0MM) crochet hook and two strands of yarn held together chain4 and join to make a ring.

Rnd 1: ch3, 7dc into ring

Rnd 2: ch3, dc into same sp, 2dc into each st around, join

Rnd 3: ch4, dc into next st, *ch2, dc into next st* repeat around, join

Rnd 4: ch4, dc into ch1 sp, *ch1, dc into ch1 sp* repeat around, join

Rnd 5: ch1, sc around, join

Rnd 6: ch1, reverse sc around (crab stitch), join and fasten off.

Spike Stitch Potholder

You can use as many colors as you like for this stash busting potholder. Carry the colors up the side of the fabric if you use only two colors, or change colors every two rows

Longdc Stitch: Crochet just like a double crochet stitch, but insert the hook into the stitch 2 rows down. For example in this pattern you will be crocheting single crochet stitches into the single crochet of the previous row. The longdc stitches are crocheted into the longdc stitch 2 rows down. This is what gives the spiked look to the fabric.

With a size US J/10 (6.0MM) crochet hook and Color A chain 28

Row 1: Dc into the 5th ch from the hook, *ch1, sk 1 ch, dc* repeat across

Row 2: With Color B ch2, *longdc into skipped chain of foundation chain, sc into next st* repeat across ending with sc into 3rd ch of turning chain

Row 3: ch3, sk 1 st, *sc, ch1, sk 1 st* across ending with dc into turning chain

Row 4: With Color A ch2, *longdc into dc 2 rows down (longdc st), sc into next st* repeat across ending with sc into turning chain

Row 5: ch3, sk 1 st, *sc, ch1, sk 1 st* across ending with sc into turning chain

Repeat Rows 4 & 5 changing colors every 2 rows until desired length.

Finish with a row of sc and fasten off.

Puff Stitch Potholder

This is a real stash buster if you use a different color for each round. You can make this as big as you like by repeating Rounds 3 and 4.

2st Puff Stitch: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on hook, chain 1

3st Puff Stitch: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through all 7 loops on hook chain 1

With a size US I/9(5.50mm) crochet hook create a magic circle and single crochet 8sc into circle.

Rnd 1: ch3, dc in same sp, 2dc in each sc around, join

Rnd 2: ch3, 2st puff st in same sp, 3st puff st in each dc around, join in 3rd chain

Rnd 3: ch1, sc into top of each puff stitch and in each chain1 space

Rnd 4: ch3, 2st puff stitch in same sp, 3st puff st in each sc around, join

Rnd 5 & 6: Repeat Rnds 3 & 4

Rnd 7: ch3, *sk 1 st, sc, ch3* around, join and fasten off

Ridged Circles Potholder

This cute potholder uses front post double crochet stitches to create colorful ridges around the potholder. At the end surface crochet a decorative touch to hide the joins and create a loop so you can easily hang the potholder out of the way.

Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc): Yarn over, insert the hook not into the top of the stitch, but around the post of the stitch. Insert the hook from the front and around the post, yarn over, pull back through, and finish as a normal double crochet.

With Color A and a size US I/9 (5.50mm) crochet hook create a magic circle and chain 3. 11 dc into circle, join

Rnd 1: With Color B ch1, sc in same sp, 2sc in each st around, join and turn

Rnd 2: With Color A ch3, 1fpdc around each of the sc around, join and turn

Rnd 3: With Color C ch1, sc in same sp, 2sc in each st around, join and turn

Rnd 4: With Color A ch3, 1fpdc around each of the sc around, join and turn

Rnd 5: With Color D ch1, *2sc in next st, 1 sc in next st*

Rnd 6: With Color A ch3, 1fpdc around each of the sc around, join and turn

Rnd 7: With Color E ch1, sc around, fasten off.

Loop: Insert hook from the front to the back and pull a doubled piece of yarn through the fabric. Surface crochet to the edge covering the starting chains of each round. Chain 8, slip stitch into edge and pull the yarn to the front. Break yarn and pull tail to the back. Weave in tails.

Cluster Stitch Flower Potholder

This is a nice thick potholder which will keep your tables and counters safe from even the hottest pot or casserole.

Cluster Stitch: Yarn over and insert the hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through first 2 loops on hook. Yarn over and insert the hook into the same stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on the hook. Yarn over and insert the hook into the same stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through all loops on the hook.

You will have 1 extra loop for each stitch of the cluster stitch. For example for a 2 stitch cluster stitch you would yarn over and pull through twice pulling the yarn through the first two loops on the hook in the first part of the stitch, and then through all 3 loops in the last step. For a 3 stitch cluster stitch you will yarn over and pull through and then pull through the first 2 loops twice and then on the last yarn over and pull through, you will pull the yarn through all 4 loops in the last yarn over step. A 4st cluster stitch will have 5 loops on the hook at the last yarn over. Pull through all 5 loops to complete the stitch.

With a size US I/9 (5.50mm) crochet hook and Color A create a magic circle. Crochet 8sc into the circle.

Rnd 1: ch3, 2st cluster in same sp, ch1, *3st cluster into next st, ch1* repeat around, join and fasten off

Rnd 2: Join Color B in any ch1 sp, ch1, *sc into top of cluster, 2sc into ch1 sp* repeat around, join

Rnd 3: ch3, 2st cluster in same sp, ch 1 *3st cluster, ch1* in each st around, join and fasten off

Rnd 4: Join Color C in a ch1 sp, 2sc in each ch1 sp around, join and fasent off

Rnd 5: Join Color D in a sp between 2sc, ch1, sc, 2sc in sp between 2sc of previous row around, join and fasten off

Rnd 6: Join Color E in a sp between 2sc, ch1, sc, 2sc in sp between 2sc of previous row around, join and fasten off

Rnd 7: Join Color B in a sp between 2sc, ch1, sc, 2sc in sp between 2sc of previous row around, join

Rnd 8: ch3, 2dc in same sp, *3dc in each ch1 sp* repeat around, join and fasten off

Rnd 9: Join Color C between a 3dc cluster, *ch3, sc between next cluster* repeat around, join

Rnd 10: sl st into ch3 sp, *ch3, sc into next ch3 sp* repeat around, join and fasten off. Weave in tails.

Triangle Double Strand Potholder

This is another nice thick potholder capable of handling dishes right out of the oven of pots right off the stove. Switch up the colors for the border to add even more interest and use up your stash.

With a size US J/10 (6.00mm) crochet hook and 2 strands of yarn held together chain 21

Row 1: in 2nd chain from the hook sc2tog, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn

Row 2: ch1, sc2tog, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn

Row 3-7: Repeat Row 2

Row 8: ch1 sc2tog, sl st into last st, fasten off

Join 2 strands of yarn into a point of the triangle, ch1, 2sc in the same sp, sc evenly across the sides with 3sc at each point, join this is Rnd 1.

Rnd 1: ch3, 2dc into same sp at point of triangle, dc around triangle working 3dc into each point, join

Rnd 2: ch3, *sk 1 st, sc int next st, ch3* repeat to top point of triangle, ch6, sk 1 st sc *ch3, sk 1 st, sc* around, join and fasten off. Weave in tails.

Seed Stitch Motif Potholder

The bumpy texture of this potholder makes it an interesting and unique addition to your collection. When crocheting this pattern you work double crochet stitches into the single crochet stitches of the previous row, and single crochet stitches into the double crochet stitches of the previous row. This is what creates the textured feel of the fabric.

With a size US J/10 (6.00mm) crochet hook chain 12

Motifs: Make 4

Row 1: In the 4th chain from the hook sc, *dc, sc* across ending with a dc in the last chain

Row 2: ch1, in 2nd st dc, *sc, dc* across ending with a sc in the last st, turn

Row 3: ch3, in 2nd st sc, *dc, sc* across ending with a dc in the last st, turn

Rows 4-7: Repeat Rows 2 & 3, fasten off

Assembly

Use the single crochet method to join the squares. The single crochet stitches will form a pretty border around the squares. Hold two squares together and join the edging yarn in a corner and single crochet the squares together. Pick up the other two squares and single crochet along the edges to join. Fold the squares and join the yarn in a corner and single crochet across the center seam to join all four squares together.

Edging

Join the yarn in a corner, ch1, single crochet evenly around the four squares. Crochet 3 single crochet in the corners. Repeat a second round of single crochet working 3 single crochet into the corners. When you get to a seam insert the hook into the stitch before the seam, into the seam, and then into the stitch after the seam. Yarn over and pull the yarn through all three loops at once. This will anchor the seams and secure them.

Shell Fan Potholder

This potholder is in the shape of a fan. You can make it as large or small as you like by adjusting the row count.

With a size US I/9 (5.50mm) crochet hook and Color A chain 3.

Row 1: 3dc into the 3rd chain, turn

Row 2: ch3, 2dc in same sp, 1dc into the next 2 sts, 3dc into the 3rd ch of the foundation ch, turn

Row 3: ch3, 2dc in same sp, 1dc in each of the next sts to the last st, 3dc into the 3rd starting chain, turn

Rows 4-6: Repeat Row 3

Row 7: ch3, 1 dc in same sp, 1dc in each of the next sts to the last st, 2dc into the 3rd starting chain, turn

Row 8: Repeat Row 7

Row 9-11: ch3, dc in each st across, turn (at the end of Row 11 switch to Color B)

Row 12: with Color B ch1, sc across the row, turn

Row 13: ch1, fpsc across to last st, sc switching back to Color A

Row 14, ch3, 2dc in same space, *sc, 3dc in next st* repeat across, fasten off and weave in tails.

Tassel: Fold an envelope in half and wrap the yarn around it lengthwise about 10 times. Remove the yarn carefully from the envelope and cut one end of the loop. With a large crochet hook pull the yarn through the bottom edge of the fan right at the point. Pull the loop up large enough to fit the ends of the yarn through and pull the ends up gently to secure the tassel. Trim the tassel evenly.

End Notes

Thank you again for purchasing this book on scrappy potholders. Potholders are fun projects which work up in no time at all and make great gifts. Use up your stash and get creative with color combinations. The colors I used in this book include the following Red Heart Super Saver Shades:

- White
- Aran
- Monet
- Banana Berry
- Navy
- Lemon
- Grape Frizz

I have enjoyed coming up with these designs for you to crochet, and I hope you enjoy crafting them. Please feel free to sell any items made with my designs, but if you care to share them please share the link to this book.

All my best,

Dorothy