Whether your kitchen style leans toward rustic, modern, or vintage, crochet potholders are a fun and easy way to add personality to your space. Plus, they make fantastic gifts!
Our curated list of free crochet potholder patterns features a variety of crochet potholder designs that you’ll absolutely love, from simple and modern designs to festive holiday patterns. Just a heads up: you may have a whole stack of potholders made before you know it!
Crochet Potholder Patterns
If you’re looking for a quick, entertaining, and practical crochet project, look no further than hot pads and potholders.
Potholder patterns can be as simple or complex as you like, but most of the designs in this collection are suited for beginning crocheters or intermediate crocheters. And since potholders are such a quick pattern, you can expect to finish a potholder in just a few hours—or even less!
Crochet potholders also make excellent gifts! They’re ideal hostess gifts for dinner and holiday hosts, small presents for friends and coworkers, teacher appreciation gifts, or thoughtful Christmas gifts for nearly anyone on your list.
So, let’s dive into the world of crochet potholder patterns and get ready to transform your kitchen—or someone else’s—with these charming and handy designs!
25 Crochet Potholder Patterns
Take a look at these free crochet potholder patterns to try for your next project! Happy crocheting!
Easy Double Thick Crochet Potholder
Learn how to crochet an easy potholder that's double-thick, durable, and machine washable.
Crochet Circle Hot Pad
Here’s a circular hot pad pattern that’s extra thick and can even be reversible! It’s made by crocheting two circles and then slip-stitching them together. When finished, this round crochet potholder pattern measures about 9” across.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Crafter’s Secret Cotton Yarn
Quick & Easy Microwave Bowl Cozy
Have you ever microwaved a steaming, tasty bowl of soup only to burn your hands on the bowl when it comes out? Slip this bowl cozy around your hot bowl instead, and enjoy nestling up with a delicious meal without overheating your hands at the same time!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Dishie Cotton
Hexi Puff Coasters
Add some joy to your kitchen with these bright and cheery puff coasters! This is an excellent pattern for using up bits of yarn, and it’s also a great option for beginners. To make these coasters, you’ll need to know how to create a magic ring, single crochet, and make a puff stitch (instructions included!).
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: CotLin
Double Thick Crochet Potholders
This double-thick pattern is made using the thermal stitch - a perfect way to add texture and thickness to your potholder! You can make this pattern in about an hour, so it’s ideal for sprucing up your own kitchen right away or creating a quick, handmade gift!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Re-Up
Clothesline Trivet
These beautiful and unique trivets measure approximately 6.5” by 6.5” inches and are actually made of clothesline! They’re super quick to make, so they’re perfect for stocking stuffers or for giving freely to all your friends!
Suggested material: Cotton clothesline
Buffalo Check Potholders
Create a rustic feel in your kitchen with this cozy crocheted buffalo check potholder. A few of these potholders would make a lovely set whether they’re in all one color or in coordinating colors. This pattern measures approximately 7.5” x 7.5” when finished and is best for intermediates.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton
Fanciful Flower Potholders
This layered potholder creates a charming and unique floral design for sprucing up your kitchen. Use your favorite colors to create this bright and beautiful - yet useful - project!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar ‘n Cream
Pumpkin Patch Decorative Potholder
This adorable pumpkin potholder would be perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or everyday fall use! This pattern is best for intermediates and measures approximately 8.5” x 9.5” when finished.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar ‘n Cream
Crochet Snowman Hot Pad
Let it snow! Embrace the season with this friendly snowman hot pad. This pattern is worked in the round using mostly double crochet stitches. This snowman would be perfect for a Christmas gift!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Crochet Little Gobbler Decorative Hot Pad
Happy Thanksgiving! If you love to host, this cute little turkey would be a great way to welcome your guests. And if you’re visiting someone else for Thanksgiving, bring this fun project along as a gift to your host! Using the acrylic yarn and googly eyes recommended in the pattern, this turkey is best for decoration. If you wish to use it to hold hot dishes, switch to cotton yarn, make it double thickness (tips for this are included), and embroider the eyes.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton
Crochet Vintage Hot Pad
This retro hot pad is made using the single crochet stitch and is simple and quick. If you’d like, you can easily crochet fewer rows to create a coaster, or more rows to create a placemat. Better yet, make a matching set with all three!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar ‘n Cream
Crochet Reindeer Pattern Hot Pad
Decorate for the holidays with this sleepy crochet reindeer. This pattern is best for decorative use, so if you plan to put hot foods on it, be sure to switch to cotton yarn. You’ll need to do some simple sewing and embroidery to make your reindeer’s face for this pattern.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart with Love
Ribbed Potholder
Stylish and sleek, this pattern is simple yet creates a lovely, modern design. It’s made double thick by working in the round.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton
Pie Oven Mitts
Pie lovers, unite! Choose your favorite pie and then get to work on these cute crocheted oven mitts. The crust layer plus the pie topping layer make this pattern double thick.
Yarn weight: Aran
Suggested yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Paris
Chicken Potholder
Decorate your farmhouse kitchen with this fun and unique crocheted chicken potholder! This pattern is offered for free as a video tutorial.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar ‘n Cream
Mosaic Potholder
To make this mosaic pattern, you’ll use a combination of single crochets and spike stitches. It’s super chic, and you can even add a leather tag for a professional, finished look. The light background with a darker mosaic really makes this design pop.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton
Two Color Tunisian Potholders
You can use either a Tunisian hook or a regular hook with a secured end for this pattern. Using Tunisian crochet techniques, you’ll end up with a fabric that looks woven on one side and knitted on the other. Beware in advance that you’ll probably end up wanting one of these in every color combination!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton
Crochet Mushroom Potholder
Isn’t this mushroom potholder completely adorable? This easy pattern is great for using up scrap yarn and adds such a fun and unique feel to your kitchen!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease
Modern Granny Square Crochet Potholder
This modern granny square project is assembled by crocheting nine, small, individual granny squares. Granny squares are tons of fun to make, but even if they weren’t, this vintage potholder would be totally worth it!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar ‘n Cream
Fruity Trivets + Pot Holders
Celebrate summer with these bright and fruity designs! This pattern includes instructions for orange, lemon, lime, and watermelon. Finished potholders measure about 9” in diameter.
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: Purl Soho Super Soft Merino
Holiday Potholders
These holiday pot holders are festive, modern, and cozy. They’re made using only the chain stitch and single crochet, but you will need to follow a color chart to complete the design. Instructions are included for both the reindeer and snowflake patterns.
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK
Crochet Scrappy Dots Potholder
This colorful pattern is perfect for using up scraps of cotton yarn. You’ll need to know how to make a magic circle as well as other basic crochet stitches for this fun pattern.
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK
Apple a Day Dishcloth
This apple pattern can be made in single thickness to create a dishcloth or double thickness for a potholder. Choose your favorite shades of green and red for this cute and easy set!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar ‘n Cream
Woven Hot Pad /Trivet
This colorful hot pad features a woven pattern that’s so much fun to make! You’ll start by creating double crochet strips using two or more colors. After that, follow the simple, pictured (and written) instructions to weave them together. Enjoy!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar ‘n Cream
Supplies
Before getting started, be sure to read through your pattern to find out what supplies you will need. Most crochet potholder patterns require the following supplies:
- Cotton yarn
- Crochet hook(s)
- Notions (scissors, yarn needle, leather strap, embroidery thread, etc.)
Can you use acrylic yarn for potholders?
Avoid using acrylic yarn for potholders unless they are strictly decorative. Acrylic yarn will not hold up to heat and may even melt if used to hold a hot dish.
Instead, choose a durable cotton yarn for making potholders and hot pads. Some of our favorite yarns for making hot pads include Lily Sugar ‘n Cream, Dishie Cotton, and Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton.
You will notice a few patterns in this list that are made with acrylic yarn and are simply decorative, such as the Little Gobbler Pot Holder (#11) and the Reindeer Hot Pad Pattern (#13). Switch to cotton yarn and double the thickness to make them usable with hot dishes.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about crocheting potholders.
Do you need special yarn for potholders?
You’ll want to use a durable, cotton yarn for crocheting potholders. While acrylic and polyester fibers cannot withstand heat, cotton will hold up well to hot dishes and pots. It’s also absorbent and generally easy to wash, making it ideal for kitchen use.
What is the best crochet stitch for potholders?
Many potholders are made of simple stitches, such as single crochet and double crochet. The thermal stitch is another excellent option for creating thick and textured potholders. Regardless of the stitch you use, making your potholder double thick will help protect your surfaces from heat.
How long does it take to crochet a potholder?
Although more complex potholders can take a few hours or more to make, many simple potholder patterns can be finished in an hour or less. Patterns that are crocheted in one piece using simple and repetitive stitches make a quick project and a perfect last-minute gift.
How much yarn do you need for a crochet potholder?
Most crochet potholder and hot pad patterns can be made with one skein of yarn or less. For this reason, potholders are an excellent way to use up scrap yarn, especially if your potholder requires multiple colors.
Explore More Free Crochet Patterns
Here are some other articles that you may be interested in if you like to crochet.
- 27 Crochet Doily Patterns (Beginner to Advanced)
- 25 Crochet Headbands and Ear Warmer Patterns
- 17 Easy Crochet Dishcloth Patterns
- Easy Double Thick Crochet Potholder – Free Pattern
- Reusable Cotton Crochet Face Scrubbies – Free Pattern
- 25 Free & Easy Granny Square Patterns
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