How to Crochet a Traditional Potholder and Hot Plate Mat

Crocheting a Traditional Potholder and Hot Plate Mat can be such a fun and rewarding project! The texture and colors you choose can really add a touch of personality to your kitchen. These handmade creations not only protect your hands and surfaces from the heat but also bring a cozy, nostalgic feel to your cooking space.

With a few basic crochet stitches and some creativity, you can whip up a set of these charming kitchen essentials in no time. Imagine the satisfaction of using something you crafted yourself every time you cook or bake. So grab your yarn, hook, and a cup of tea, and enjoy the soothing rhythm of crochet as you craft these lovely and useful items for your home!

Materials Required

AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY "STAR" FAST HEAVY CROCHET MERCERIZED COTTON, Article 140:

• 2 balls Forest Green
• 3 balls Toltec Yellow or colors of your choice to make the entire set
• Steel crochet hook No. 1

Potholder

Front Section

With Green ch 2, 8 s c in 2nd st from hook, join in 1st s c.

2nd Round

* Ch 4, sl st in next s c, repeat from * 7 times (8 loops).

3rd Round

Sl st into loop, ch 3, 2 d c in same space keeping last loop of each d c on hook, thread over and pull through all loops at one time, ch 2, cluster st in same space (cluster st: 3 d c in same space keeping last loop of each d c on hook, thread over and work off all loops at one time), * ch 2, 2 cluster sts with ch 2 between in next loop, repeat from * all around, ch 2, join in top of 1st cluster st (16 cluster sts), cut thread.

4th Round

Attach Yellow in loop and work 1 s c, ch 2, 1 s c in each loop, join in 1st s c.

5th Round

Sl st into loop, ch 3, d c in same space, ch 2, 2 d c in same space, * 2 d c, ch 2, 2 d c (shell) in next loop, repeat from * all around, join.

6th Round

Sl st to center of shell, ch 3, 1 d c, ch 2, 2 d c in same space, * 2 d c, ch 2, 2 d c in center of next shell, repeat from * all around, join.

7th Round

Same as last round but working 3 d c, ch 2, 3 d c in center of each shell, join.

8th Round

Same as last round.

9th Round

Sl st to center of shell, ch 3, 2 d c, ch 2, 3 d c in same space, * ch 1, 3 d c, ch 2, 3 d c in center of next shell, repeat from * all around, ch 1, join, cut thread.

Under Section

Work 1st 3 rounds the same as front section.

4th Round

Attach Yellow in loop, ch 3, 2 d c in same space, * 3 d c in next loop, repeat from * all around, join.

5th Round

Ch 3 and working in d c, increase in every 3rd d c, join each round.

6th Round

Same as 5th round but increasing in every 4th d c.

7th Round

Same as 5th round but increasing in every 8th d c.

8th Round

Same as 5th round but increasing in every 15th d c (96 sts).

9th Round

Ch 3, 2 d c in same space, ch 2, 3 d c in next d c, ch 1, skip 4 d c, * 3 d c in next d c, ch 2, 3 d c in next d c, ch 1, skip 4 d c, repeat from * all around, join, cut thread. With wrong sides together and top section facing you, join Green in 1st d c of any shell, working through both sections at the same time, work 1 s c in each of the 1st 3 d c, 2 s c, ch 3, 2 s c in center of shell, 1 s c in each of the next 3 d c, 1 s c between shells, ch 2 and working over top section only s c over the space of previous round between shells, * ch 2, s c over the space of round below, repeat from * 3 times, ch 2, work back in the same manner, repeat from ** all around, join, cut thread.

Ring

With Green, cover a bone ring with s c and sew to potholder.

Hot Plate Mat

Work 1st 8 rounds the same as front section of potholder, cut Yellow.

9th Round

Attach Green in 1st d c of shell, ** 1 s c in each of the next 3 d c, 2 s c, ch 3, 2 s c in center of shell, 1 s c in each of the next 3 d c, s c between shells, ch 1, s c over the space of previous round between shells, * ch 1, s c over the space between shells of next round below, repeat from * twice, ch 1 and work back in the same manner, repeat from ** all around, join, cut thread.

10th Round

Attach Yellow in ch 3 loop in center of shell, ch 3, 1 d c, ch 2, 2 d c in same space, * 2 tr c, ch 1, 2 tr c in space between shells, 2 d c, ch 2, 2 d c in next ch 3 loop, repeat from * all around ending with 2 tr c, ch 1, 2 tr c in space between shells, join.

11th Round

Sl st to center of shell, ch 3, 1 d c, ch 2, 2 d c in same space, * 2 d c, ch 2, 2 d c in ch 1 space between tr c's, 2 d c, ch 2, 2 d c in center of next shell, repeat from * all around ending to correspond, join.

12th Round

Same as 6th round.

13th and 14th Rounds

Sl st to center of shell, ch 3, 2 d c, ch 2, 3 d c in same space, * 3 d c, ch 2, 3 d c in center of next shell, repeat from * all around, join, cut thread.

Under Section

Work 1st 3 rounds the same as front section, cut Green.

4th Round

Attach Yellow in loop, ch 3, 2 d c in same space, * 3 d c in next loop, repeat from * all around, join each round and ch 3 to start each round.

5th Round

Working in d c, increase in every 3rd d c.

6th and 7th Rounds

Increase in every 4th d c in each round.

8th Round

Increase in every 5th d c. Work 1 round even.

10th Round

Increase in every 15th d c (128 d c).

11th and 12th Rounds

Ch 3, 1 d c, ch 2, 2 d c in same space, * skip 3 d c, 2 d c, ch 2, 2 d c in next d c, repeat from * all around.

13th and 14th Rounds

Work a shell of 3 d c, ch 3, 3 d c in center of each shell, join, cut thread.

With Green, crochet the 2 sections together having the wrong sides together and front section toward you. Work the same as the 9th round of front section of mat, working over each of the 2 rounds below and leaving 2 rounds of shells free between Green trimming, cut thread.