Looking for a free crochet pot holder pattern? Here are 24 of them: double-thick and thermal-stitch hot pads that actually protect your hands, granny square pot holders, textured stitches, Christmas and Thanksgiving designs, and cheerful fruit, flower and cactus pot holders. Every pattern is free in full on the designer's own site, with written rounds or rows and no sign-up. A pot holder is one of the most useful things you can crochet. One skein of cotton and an evening or two gets you a gift that someone will use every day.
For each pattern I've noted the yarn, hook, finished size where the designer gives it, and how it starts. One rule matters more than any other here: use 100% cotton. Acrylic can melt against a hot pan, and cotton doesn't. Where a designer used acrylic for a decorative piece, I've said so.
Double-thick and thermal pot holders
Start here if you want a pot holder that really works. A double layer or the dense thermal stitch keeps the heat away from your fingers.
Easy Double Thick Crochet Potholder — Sarah Maker. A 7-inch square in Lily Sugar'n Cream on a 5mm (H) hook, about 100 yards. You chain 40, single crochet in the back loops in a spiral around both sides of the chain, then fold it on the diagonal and seam it. It's rated easy, with an optional hanging loop and tips for changing the size.
Double Thick Cotton Potholder — Crochet 'n' Create. A big 11.5-inch pot holder made from two shell-stitch pieces joined together, in King Cole Cottonsoft on a 4.5mm hook. It starts with ch 42, and it has a pointed edge and a long hanging loop. UK and US terms are both written out.
Crochet Double Sided Hot Pad — Maria's Blue Crayon. Two 9-inch hdc circles joined with single crochet and finished with a picot edge, in one skein of Dishie cotton on a 4mm hook. It starts with 10 hdc in a magic ring. Round hot pads are lovely on the table under a casserole.
Easy Crochet Double Thick Potholder — OkieGirlBling'n'Things. A 6.5-inch square in thermal single crochet, in I Love This Cotton on a 5mm (H) hook. It starts with ch 27, and the hanging loop is built in. It's beginner-friendly, and the designer links to a thermal stitch video.
Easy Thermal Potholder — GoodKnit Kisses. An 8-inch square that doubles as a thermal stitch lesson, in Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton on a 4.5mm (G) hook. It starts with ch 37. There are right- and left-handed videos, so it's a great first thermal project.
Granny square pot holders
If you love granny squares, these are a quick and useful way to show them off. For more squares, see our free crochet granny square patterns.
Granny Squares Crochet Pot Holder — Easy on the Tongue. A 7-inch double-thick pot holder with a classic black-and-white granny on the front and a solid granny on the back, in DK cotton on a 4mm hook. Only the solid back is written out on this page. The front links to the designer's separate classic granny square post.
Granny Square Potholder — Mama In A Stitch. A modern take with nine little black-and-cream granny squares on the front and a solid single crochet back, in Lily Sugar'n Cream on a G hook. Each square starts with a ch-4 ring, and the back starts with ch 28. It's a nice way to practice joining squares.
Crochet Hot Pad from a Beginner Granny Square — Nana's Crafty Home. A clever one: you make a single granny square, then fold the corners to the center to make it double-thick. It uses Paintbox Cotton Aran on a 4.5mm hook and starts with a ch-4 ring. You can hang it from a wooden ring or a chain loop, and there are photo and video tutorials.
Textured stitch pot holders
Texture adds thickness, which means more protection, and it looks lovely hanging by the stove.
Crochet Puff Stitch Potholder — Crochet 'n' Create. A round 10.5-inch pot holder covered in puff stitches, in King Cole Cottonsoft DK on a 5mm hook. It starts with 6 puffs in a ch-5 ring. UK and US terms are both given.
Crochet Moss Stitch Potholder — Crochet 'n' Create. A large double-thick square, 11 by 12 inches, in a tidy moss stitch with a shell edge, in Cottonsoft DK on a 5mm hook. It starts with ch 40. Again, both UK and US terms.
Bumpy Rows Potholder — Leelee Knits. An 8-inch square in a sc and 3-dc "bumpy rows" stitch, in 70 yards of Dishie on a 4mm (G) hook. It starts with ch 34 and has a ch-20 hanging loop. It's beginner-friendly and works up fast.
Peony Petals Hot Pad — Kirsten Holloway Designs. Layered, scalloped petals with back-post stitches, in worsted cotton on a 4mm hook. It comes in four sizes, from 5 inches square up to 9 by 13 inches for a casserole dish. It's intermediate and starts with a foundation chain worked around both sides.
Cross My Heart Potholder — Clover Needlecraft (designed by Elisa DeSena). An 8.5-inch square with a heart made from crossed half double crochet, in about 80 yards of worsted cotton on a 4mm hook. It starts with ch 26 and is rated adventurous beginner. A sweet Valentine's or housewarming gift.
Christmas and holiday pot holders
A festive pot holder tucked into a gift basket is a classic. These are perfect for hostess gifts, cookie swaps and the neighbors.
Christmas Potholders (Santa and Elf) — Maria's Blue Crayon. Round 9-inch pot holders with a belt and buckle, one for Santa and one for an elf, in I Love This Cotton on a 4mm hook. They're double-sided, start with 10 hdc in a magic ring and have a bobble border. Make the pair.
Snowflake Double Thick Potholder — Nicki's Homemade Crafts. A snowflake worked in waistcoat stitch colorwork, about 5.5 by 6 inches, in Premier Cotton Sprout on a 4mm hook. It starts with ch 37, and every round is written out color by color, with a graph and a video too.
Tapestry Crochet Christmas Tree Potholder — Itchin' for Some Stitchin'. A Christmas tree in tapestry crochet, about 8.25 inches square, on a 4mm (G) hook. Every row is written out with color counts, and it has a crab stitch edge. The sample is in acrylic and the designer calls it decorative, so make yours in cotton if it's going near the oven.
Winter Opulence Round Hot Pad — Kirsten Holloway Designs. A thick but lacy 9-inch round trivet with post stitches and picots, in about 110 yards of Lily Sugar'n Cream on a 5mm (H) hook. It starts with 6 sc in a magic circle and is intermediate. It's elegant enough to leave out on the holiday table.
Crochet Pumpkin Pie Potholder — Maria's Blue Crayon. A 9-inch "pie" with an orange filling circle backed with a tan crust circle and a bobble crust edge, in I Love This Cotton on a 4mm hook. It starts with 10 hdc in a magic ring. Perfect to bring along with a real pie at Thanksgiving.
Pie Potholders — Banana Moon Studio (April Garwood). Strawberry and cherry pies with a lattice crust and fruit on top, 8 inches across, in size 10 crochet thread on a 1.65mm steel hook. It starts with 12 dc in an adjustable ring. It's rated easy, but the fine thread makes it a slower, more detailed make.
Fruit, flower and cactus pot holders
Bright, fun and just right for summer kitchens, teen apartments and anyone who loves a bit of whimsy.
Crochet Fruit Potholders — Crochet Concupiscence (by Melissa Camp). A flat circle that folds into a half-moon slice: avocado, apple, watermelon, lemon or lime. It's in worsted on a 4mm hook and starts with 12 dc in a magic loop. Color charts are given for each fruit, and the designer suggests an Insul-Bright lining.
Summer Pot Holders — Red Ted Art. Watermelon, lemon and orange slices in Drops Paris cotton on a 4mm hook. They start with 11 dc in a magic circle and increase to 84 stitches, then a felt back is sewn on in blanket stitch. Older kids can help with the felt.
Floral Berry Potholder — The Purple Poncho. A 7¼-inch flower with berry stitch petals, in DK cotton held double (or one strand of worsted) on a 6mm (J) hook. It starts with 11 dc in a ch-4. It's intermediate, with a video for the first seven rounds.
Sunflower Pot Holder — Nana's Crafty Home. A cheerful 8.5-inch double-thick sunflower in I Love This Cotton on a 5mm (H) hook. It starts with 6 sc in a magic circle, and there's a video for the petals. There's no hanging loop in the pattern, but you can easily add one.
Crochet Cactus Potholders — Moogly. A tall cactus (10 by 7¼ inches) and a round ball cactus, worked in post-stitch ribs on a 5mm (H) hook. They start with a row of foundation double crochet. The original yarn is discontinued, so the page suggests Lily Sugar'n Cream instead. There are video tutorials.
Tips for pot holders that protect your hands
- Use cotton, always. Acrylic and other synthetics can melt or scorch. Lily Sugar'n Cream, Dishie and I Love This Cotton are all easy to find.
- Go double. One layer of single crochet isn't enough for a hot cast-iron pan. Choose a double-thick, thermal-stitch or lined pattern for real cooking.
- Crochet tightly. Dropping half a hook size closes up the gaps, so heat can't get through.
- Add a lining for extra safety. A layer of insulated batting like Insul-Bright between two pieces makes any pot holder heat-proof.
- Make a set. Two pot holders, a dishcloth and a bar of soap make a lovely gift bundle.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best yarn for crochet pot holders?
100% cotton in worsted weight. It handles heat, washes well and won't melt. Lily Sugar'n Cream is the classic choice, and one skein usually makes one or two pot holders.
How do I make a crochet pot holder heat-proof?
Make it thick. Use a double-thick pattern, the thermal stitch, or two layers joined together. For hot pans straight from the oven, add a layer of insulated batting like Insul-Bright between the layers.
What size should a crochet pot holder be?
Most are 7 to 9 inches across. That's big enough to protect your hand on a pan handle or a baking dish. Hot pads for casseroles can be larger, like the 9 by 13-inch Peony Petals size.
Are crochet pot holders good gifts?
Yes. They're quick, cheap to make and genuinely useful. Pair one with a crochet wine bottle cover for a hostess, or tuck one into a gift bag with a few homemade cookies.
More kitchen and hostess gift ideas
Pot holders go beautifully with a crochet dishcloth gift set, a stack of holiday coasters and mug rugs or a homemade wine cork trivet. Hosting this year? Finish the table with our Thanksgiving table decor and a crochet table runner. For more quick gifts, browse our cheap stocking stuffer patterns and weekend gift patterns.
