What is in this crochet diagram for you?

1. The pattern is a crochet diagram, to give you both an overview and all the important details all at once.
2. The potholder itself is strong and sturdy. It will shrink a little, but only get stronger for it. I will last you for years.
3. It keeps your hands safe from burning. Not only is it a double layer, but it is also BIG! That allows you to fold it, and comfortably grab your ovenproof pans when they are burning hot! Approx 27 by 27 cm including the handle.
4. You can hang them anywhere because these potholders got big flexible handles. Like a door handle, backpost of a chair, a drawer handle or just a hook on the wall.
5. Flexible in size: The diagram is for 22 rows - and measures 27 cm x 27 cm including the handle - so you can fold it twice. But a row more or less still makes for a great potholder. The important thing is that you do the same number of rows for the potholders that you join.
6. The Crochet Diagram is packed up with help and guides! From letter A to letter K, you got small written guidelines on how to do the crochet diagram.
7. Follow the QR code on the diagram pages and go straight to the YouTube guide. In the guide you will see how to do the potholder. Step by step.
8. Hit your stash and use up all your cotton scraps - to mix great variation in the potholder. The more speckles you make – the more stain-camouflaging you’ll get ;-)

Supplies

I highly recommend exploring your existing yarn stash instead of making a new purchase. Look at what you already have and get creative by using it to create the most adorable crochet. It is always the first step in my book ;-)

If you buy yarn, you will need 250 grams of mixed cotton (to make them BIG and practical). I did the red/blue crochet potholder with two strands of yarn, to make it really speckled and highly robust when it comes to staining.

Tools

You will need a 4.0 mm (US 8 or UK G/6) crochet hook, a darning needle, and a pair of scissors.

Crochet Tension

For every 10 x 10 cm, the gauge should be approximately 18 double crochets and 9.5 rows of double crochet stitches. The total length of the potholder, including the handle, should be around 27 cm by 27 cm (before washing it).

Visual support

If you have visual impairments, consider printing the pattern on A3 paper for a larger and easier-to-see diagram. Alternatively, you can zoom in on your device to view the details in the diagrams.

Video guide

Discover the ultimate crochet journey on YouTube! The video guide covers it all: the stitches, the BIG magic ring, and seamless potholder joining. It's like having a crochet mentor by your side.

Unravel the mystery of stitches with clear visuals, perfect for beginners and pros. Tackling the BIG magic ring becomes a breeze as we guide you step by step. And don't miss the satisfying process of joining potholders.

The guide effortlessly translates diagram points into real creations. Craft your entire potholder without a hitch. Get ready to crochet with confidence and create stunning potholders that blend skill and style. Dive into our YouTube video guide now and let the crochet adventure begin!

Lots of help in Reels and shorts

Go to either my YouTube channel (@ann_gerd_com) or my Instagram account (@ann_gerd_com) to get access to the shorts and the reels on Lis’ Sturdy Crochet Potholder.

The guides here include demonstrations of key stitches, such as the first stitches of the BIG magic ring. The guide is continuously growing as reels related to this diagram are being created. If you miss any guide, please let me know ;-)

Let's get social!

Get all the crochet hacks and news of when I release new crochet diagrams and join me on social media. Hit the small icons here on the webpage! We hope you enjoy making this crochet diagram your own unique piece of craft!

Have fun and don't forget to share your creations with us on social media using:
#lissturdycrochetpotholder

Reach out with questions or comments! You are always welcome. I love to know your experience with my pattern or wishes for new designs. You can send me a mail or reach out through the contact form.

Moving towards sustainability

In this crochet diagram, the focus on sustainability has 2 points:

1. Use your stash.
2. Functional design

Let’s get into those points:

1. Use your stash!

Hit your stash and see what you have that you can use.
The potholder is done with two strands of yarn to get the speckled effect. Strand 1 should have a yardage around 170 meters pr. 50 grams. Strand 2 should have a yardage around 200 meters pr. 50 grams. This should correspond with bulky weight which is Approximately 100 - 140 yards (91 - 128 meters) pr. 100 grams of yarn.
When you do the potholders with two strands of yarn, you need around 250 grams of yarn. This makes you two solid potholders. If you want to see examples check out the hashtag #lissturdycrochetpotholder on Instagram and YouTube.

2. Functional design

Let’s face it. If the potholders do not work, they do not serve their purpose. They will hang idle on the wall as pretty decoration or be send on to recycling or simple trash. It does matter that they work, and that they do their job! This makes us want to keep them and wear them all the way down.
I made sure that these potholders fit the following design criteria:

1. They are sturdy – two strands of yarn will make them last for a very long time.
2. The speckles will make great camouflage for stains – and they do come with time and use in a kitchen.
3. The big handle allows you to hang them in a variety of places.
4. The double layer of crochet will protect your hands well. If you fold the potholders, they will protect your hands every single time no matter the heat.

More on functional design

The functional design of sturdy crochet potholders encompasses a meticulous balance between utility and aesthetics, resulting in an indispensable kitchen accessory that offers both protection and style.

At its core, the design revolves around the choice of materials. High-quality, heat-resistant yarns of cotton are paramount, ensuring that the potholders effectively shield hands from burns while maintaining durability against repeated use and washing. The selection of crochet stitches plays a pivotal role as well. Once the double crochet has been washed, and the potholders have grabbed a lot of hot objects, the surface of the potholders become smooth and dense.

The dimensions of the potholders are carefully designed to make it able to fold. A square shape is common, offering uniform coverage and ease of use. However, you can vary the size and accommodate your own preferences. A BIG magic ring is incorporated into one corner, allowing the potholder to be hung conveniently within reach, adding a functional element to its design.

Ultimately, the functional design of sturdy crochet potholders harmonizes the demands of practicality and beauty. By selecting cotton yarn, and balancing dimensions and aesthetics, these potholders are reliable kitchen companions, reflecting the creativity and care infused by crafters into every stitch.

About the crochet diagram

How do you read this pattern?

The pattern has 2 pages. All the pages have a QR code for the YouTube guide, explanation of stitches and abbreviations and the tools and amount of yarn needed.
Page 1 contains the main diagram of the potholder. You must make 4 of these.
On page 2 you see how to join two of the crochet pieces together to get one potholder.

Terminology

This crochet diagram follows US terminology, and the brackets indicate US abbreviations. Pink brackets indicate the equivalent UK abbreviations.

Legal note

This pattern is intended for personal, non-commercial use only. It is not permitted to use this pattern for any commercial purposes. The purpose of this pattern is to provide instructions and guidance for individuals who wish to create the item for their personal use. It is intended for hobbyists, craft enthusiasts, or individuals who enjoy making handmade items.
The creator of the pattern has put time, effort, and creativity into designing it, and they kindly ask that it be respected and used solely for personal purposes. The restriction on commercial use means that the pattern cannot be utilized to create items for sale, profit, or any form of business activity. This includes selling the finished product, using the pattern to teach classes or workshops for profit, or incorporating the pattern into a product that will be sold or distributed commercially.
By adhering to these usage restrictions, it ensures that the creator's rights and intellectual property are protected. It also preserves the integrity of the pattern, maintaining its exclusivity for personal enjoyment and preventing unauthorized commercial exploitation.
It's important to respect the intentions of the pattern's creator and to seek permission or appropriate licensing if you wish to use the pattern for any commercial purposes.

About Crochet Diagrams

A crochet diagram is a visual representation or chart that depicts a crochet pattern using symbols and/or abbreviations. It provides a concise and graphical way to understand the stitches, repeats, and overall structure of a crochet project.
Unlike written instructions, which describe each step with words, a crochet diagram uses symbols and shapes to represent different stitches and actions. These symbols typically vary depending on the pattern's origin or the crochet chart key provided.
The crochet diagram consists of rows and columns, representing the progression of stitches and the width of the project. Each square or cell within the chart corresponds to a specific stitch or action. Symbols within the cells indicate the type of stitch to be made, such as single crochet, double crochet, or chains.
The chart may also include additional symbols or notations to convey information about stitch placement, color changes, decreases, increases, or pattern repeats. Arrows or lines may be used to indicate the direction of the stitches or the flow of the pattern.
Crochet diagrams are particularly useful for visual learners who find it easier to understand patterns through visual representations rather than written instructions. They provide a clear overview of the entire project, making it easier to anticipate and plan for upcoming stitches.
While crochet diagrams can appear complex at first, with practice and familiarity with the symbols, they become an invaluable tool for crocheters to follow and recreate intricate designs accurately.
It's worth noting that crochet diagrams may accompany or supplement written instructions, allowing crocheters to choose the format that works best for them.

Let’s give the potholder fairy tale a go ;-)

Once upon a time a damsel was in distress...

She didn't mind the work, but inefficiency bothered her. Just like lazy, hungry flies on a late summer's day, it would ignite bursts of tickling irritation. And every time the irritation felt like an unasked-for invitation. An invitation she couldn't accept. Rejecting the invitation required an unreasonable amount of energy.

Every day, food would be cooked in the oven. Every day, it had to go from the oven to the table. Every day, she balanced the thin potholders to protect her hands. Every day, she looked for the potholders before cooking.

The ovenproof pans would answer her with burns. They landed on her wrists or hands like stinging freckles. The stubborn crust of the sores would stick like excited young tics. They fueled her silent irritation. She cooled it down clenching her jaw patiently like a clamp. Calmly, she would kill of the hungry summer flies with a determined swatter.

Time passed, flies died, and Lis sturdy potholders happened…

She twirled as she placed the prepared meal on the table. She knew that this kind of happiness came few and far between. She set it down and put the potholder on the door handle, as she had done hundreds of times. Her mind was already navigating the to-dos of the next day. She nodded to herself thinking she had to thank the team for the win. She would not have made it without them. Their victory was like rain on parched land. To them and to her…

The end.