bag 'n' trash : Modern Vintage Potholder

This pattern was inspired by an old crocheted potholder that I found at a local flea market. I loved the simplicity of it and thought it would lend itself well to a simple update.

For my potholders I used size 3 crochet cotton. Size 3 isn’t super super thin so don’t let the thinness intimidate you. I think the thread is an integral part of the vintage feel.

The thread I used is called Aunt Lydia’s Fashion Crochet Thread by Coats and Clark and it’s easy to find at most local craft stores. DMC also makes a nice thread in this size.

Use a hook that gives you a fairly firm fabric. Remember, this is a potholder and not a doily. I used a size 1 steel crochet hook.

You can also use a dk or sport weight yarn (such as tahki cotton classic) and a hook that gives you a stiff fabric such as a size D or E hook. You'll just end up with a bigger potholder.

You’ll want to make two for each potholder.

These instructions are for a 2 color potholder.

Foundation Round: With color A, start by making a magic adjustable ring. Great instructions can be found here. Make a ring and chain (ch) 3, 1 double crochet (dc) ch 1 , ( 2 dc ch 1) 7 times into the ring. Slip stitch (sl st) into 3rd chain of beginning 3 chain to close the ring.

Round 1: Sl st into the next two dc until the first 1 ch space. Chain 3, 2 dc into space, ch 1, (3dc, ch 1) 7 times. Sl st into 3rd chain of beginning 3 chain.

Round 2: Chain 3, 1dc in same stitch, 1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, 1 ch. (2 dc , 1dc, 2 dc, 1 ch) 7 times. Sl st into 3rd chain of beginning 3 chain. Change to color B.

Round 3: Chain 3, 2dc in next stitch, 1 ch, skip stitch, 1 dc, 2 dc in next stitch, 1 ch, (1dc, 2 dc in next stitch, 1 ch, skip stitch, 1 dc, 2 dc in next stitch, 1 ch) 7 times. Sl st into 3rd chain of beginning 3 chain.

Round 4: Chain 3, 1 dc, 2 dc in next stitch, 1 ch. (2 dc, 2 dc in next stitch, 1 ch) 15 times. Sl st into 3rd chain of beginning 3 chain.

Round 5: Chain 3, 2 dc, 2 dc in the next stitch, 1 ch. (3dc, 2dc in next stitch, 1 ch) 15 times. Sl st into 3rd chain of beginning 3 chain. Change to color A.

Round 6: Chain 3, 3 dc, 2dc in same stitch, 1 ch. (4dc, 2 dc in next stitch, 1 ch) 15 times. Sl st into 3rd chain of beginning 3 chain.

Round 7: Chain 3, 4 dc, 2dc in same stitch, 1 ch. (5 dc, 2 dc in next stitch, 1 ch) 15 times. Sl st into 3rd chain of beginning 3 chain.

Round 8: Chain 3, 6 dc, 2 dc in 1 ch space. (7 dc , 2 dc in 1 ch space) 15 times. Sl st into 3rd chain of beginning 3 chain. Break thread and pull loop.

When you’ve made 2 rounds and you’ve woven in the ends, place each round wrong side together and sl st through both rounds so that both rounds are attached at that one point. Ch 1 and single crochet (sc) around the entire potholder making sure to go through both rounds. Sl st through first ch, break thread and pull loop.

For a hanging loop, take a ¾ inch plastic bone ring and sc crochet around the ring until no plastic is visible. Sew onto finished potholder. Weave in ends.