Old Fashioned Potholders
Next time you don't know what to give as a gift, make your friends and family a couple useful, Old Fashioned Potholders! An easy introduction to crochet patterns, potholders are beautiful, functional and they only improve with age!
Crochet Hook7 or 1.65 mm hook (steel)
Yarn Weight(0) Lace (33-40 stitches to 4 inches). Includes crochet thread.
View this nifty pattern and others in our project collection Crochet for Mom: 25 Patterns to Make Mom Feel Like a Queen Bee.
Read Next30 Minute Potholder
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JaneEK
Sep 30, 2018
My husbands family has lived in Baltimore since the early 1830s and plenty of the women crafted household items. I asked him, and he doesnt ever remember seeing this shape for a potholder either. As I expected, the holders are worked using cotton yarn and two identical shapes are sewn to double the fabric. If you want an additional layer so your hand will fit inside, that would be very easy to do.
Morehouse17
Apr 30, 2018
It is so great to see posts like these. I want to make pot holders, mitts and trivets and I am always thinking that with use, they will no longer be pretty. With the pictures at the end of the post, I can see that even with use, these can still be "pretty". Wear just shows that you love the item and even when soiled you elect to keep them because they are home made.
JaneEK
Sep 30, 2018
What a lovely thought. I have the same feelings that I don't want my hard work messed up. But there's nothing wrong in making even the most humble items beautiful.
Delphine Bryant
Apr 29, 2018
It is still amazing to me that something so practical can stay with us for a long time. The blogger states she is still in ownership of some items that could have been made by her grand mother. It is still true that when you take the time to make something with care, it will last for a long while.
kuincie6 6097207
Dec 15, 2017
After reading the comments on the original blog (published about 10 yrs ago with only 1 update a year after it was published), I'm not sure I want to try this one. Many commenters stated having trouble with the pattern at R4 and the blogger never addressed the problem. This one shouldn't even be on here because of the problems with it and beginners may end up giving up such a relaxing and fun craft because they came across this one that apparently isn't written correctly or something and they'll think they're doing something wrong and give up! The directions aren't really that clear either and are confusing. -(
Zeemer
Nov 24, 2017
I like these Old Fashioned Potholders, it can pass for functional placemats. I think I would like to try this as placemats.
mulberrygalprinces s
Nov 22, 2017
These bring back so many wonderful memories. My grand mother use to have them. I was just a little kid and watched her crochet. That's about the time I asked her to show me how to crochet. The first thing I made was a pot holder. Now maybe I can teach my grand daughter.
Zeemer
Nov 24, 2017
Hi Mulberrygalprincess. I'm also teaching my 5-year old granddaughter how to crochet. I hope she learns to do it well like her grandma (me).
Hippie Chick
Nov 21, 2017
The great thing about crochet is it is SO inexpensive. You can pick up a large thing of crochet cotton for a couple of dollars and if I remember right, that'll be enough to make at least a couple potholders. Thanks for posting these pictures and pattern. I have a friend at work that has some very old potholders and she asked me to make some new ones for her, but like the old ones. Hard to find patterns. Yours looks perfect.
Cheryl Y
Sep 15, 2017
I love these Old Fashioned Potholders! Who doesn't need more potholders? This pattern is well written and I agree with Hippie Chick below on using the "magic circle" to start instead of a chain. It's a much better method so there is no hole in the center. After reading the written pattern I must say I don't recall seeing these before. But so want a set or two, and I think these would make great house warming gifts. Made with a nice cotton yarn so they don't melt when used. I was also thinking that if you want you can just make one, not doubled to use as a dish cloth. What do you think? Thank you so much for sharing this free crochet pattern.
Hippie Chick
Jun 16, 2017
Love these potholders and all the variations pictured. The opening in the center of the potholder is easily fixed by starting the pattern with a magic circle instead of a chain. That will reduce any chance of burns when using this on a hot dish. For anybody just learning to crochet, remember to always use cotton thread or yarn when making anything for the kitchen.
narjismurtaza 5478 192
Nov 21, 2016
It looks good to make it for one self or to give as a gift but it will need some time to complete it and Christmas is close, I wonder if I can use thicker yarn instead of Lace or Crochet Thread. Thicker yarn will make it very large. Can someone help?
nyc1ortiz
Nov 11, 2014
I don't understand Round 4 of this pattern when establishing the corners. Is it 4dc in each 2dc space twice and this 2dc in each 2dc space three times?? Thanks for the help
cndmoloney 4504003
Nov 21, 2013
My grandmother made these potholders and I have long wanted the pattern. Will try this soon!
corine64 4248170
Feb 25, 2013
For rnd 4 try this... 1dc between 2 stitches 5 times, 2 dc between 2 stitches 3 times (repeat 4 more times)
dragonsdawnstar 93 20908
Nov 23, 2012
usually at corners it goes, 2dc, 2ch, 2dc, don't know if it's the same for this pattern as I've not had time to try it yet.
Dukes Pet
Jun 30, 2012
Just like a couple comments below I also would love to do this pattern but cannot figure out Round 4, can someone please tell me the correct way? Thank You, Leslie
crosstitcherus 617 6570
Jan 24, 2012
want a laugh for the day..... was reading patterns and I read Nubby Dishcloth as Hubby dishcloth...
mamacobber
Jan 05, 2012
Hello, Jean. I saw your post and thought I would give it try. You are totally right. It does buckle up. I added chains in-between the corner posts and it still starts to ruffle. I have a pattern for a fan one I ,ade if you are interested. I can teach you if you want. It is super easy. Lori
cviens 2786942
Mar 08, 2012
I'd love to see your pattern if you dont mind sharing! thanks, Carol
ImHis
Aug 02, 2011
I had terrible trouble doing this when i knew i had 40 dc's and then started to do row 4 it would buckle up and acording to the directions i should only need to do the stisches between * and * on row four it didn't finish up at the beginning to do row 5 someething is amiss and i need help with it as I really really want to be able to do this pattern can someone help me or do the directions need an adjustment?? many thanks. Jean
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