This single crochet thermal stitch potholder uses the single crochet thermal stitch. This stitch is the perfect stitch for crocheted potholders!
This tutorial originally appeared on March in 6, 2020. The instructions and photos have been updated.
Last week I shared with you how to crochet the single crochet thermal stitch. This week, I’m sharing with you how to crochet a potholder using the single crochet thermal stitch.
I had a hard time at first trying to understand this stitch and crocheting it properly, but after working with it for weeks now, I’m fairly certain it is THE best stitch for crocheting pot holders.
What I had the hardest time with was ending each row and then how do you finish it off? Because, as you’ll see if your crochet this single crochet thermal stitch pot holder, it leaves an uneven ridge along the last row.
The answer? Slip stitch. I simply slip stitched across the last row into the back loops, just like I did with the single crochet thermal stitch, but using the slip stitch instead.
The results? Beautiful! Thick! Sturdy! And full of thermal texture. Just what you’d expect in a pot holder.
Yarn Choices
Before I share the pattern with you, let me talk to you a little bit about the yarn. For best results, use 100% cotton yarn. I experimented with two different brands. Both were 100 % cotton and 4 medium worsted weight yarns. Both worked up to the same measurements.
At first, I thought I couldn’t possible improve on the pot holders I crocheted with Lily Sugar’N Cream Cotton yarn. But, I think I did. Read on to see what you think.
Lily Sugar’N Cream Cotton
Most of my testing and experimenting (frogging my work) was done with Yarnspirations’ Lily Sugar’n Cream Cotton yarn. This is a 100% cotton worsted weight yarn that I have used probably 100’s of times.
In fact, I’ve crocheted all my dishcloths using this yarn, including:
You might say I have a thing for crocheted dishcloths!
Anyway, this yarn produces a thick, tightly woven and stiff pot holder.
I Love This Cotton Yarn
Then, I thought it’d be interesting to see how another brand of cotton yarn worked with this pattern. The second yarn I tested was this soft cotton yarn from Hobby Lobby called I Love This Cotton Yarn.
This was my first time working with this yarn and I gotta tell you, I really liked working with it. For one thing, it’s softer. For another, it didn’t seem to split quite as easily as the Lily yarn.
This yarn produced a thick, tightly woven and more flexible pot holder.
So, I guess it comes down to what you want or expect out of your crocheted pot holder. Do you want one that is stiff and sturdy or soft and pliable? They both produce thick, sturdy and textured crocheted dish cloths.
Single Crochet Thermal Stitch
Like I said, this potholder pattern uses the single crochet thermal stitch. Make sure you know how to crochet this stitch before you begin to crochet this potholder.
Video Tutorial
Please watch my YouTube video on how to crochet the Single Crochet Thermal Stitch.
Single Crochet Thermal Stitch Potholder Pattern
Materials and Tools
- 2 skeins Lily Sugar ‘n Cream Cotton (or cotton yarn of your choice)
- Size K Crochet Hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
Measurements
Approximately 8” x 8”.
You can make this pattern as big or small as you want simply by adjusting the number of chain stitches in your foundation chain and adding (or subtracting) any necessary rows.
Gauge
20 rows = 4” in single crochet thermal stitch
Abbreviations
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
st(s) – stitch(es)
sl st – slip stitch
blo – back loop only
flo – front loop only
yo – yarn over
scts – single crochet thermal stitch
This potholder uses the single crochet thermal stitch with two strands of yarn held together.
If you crochet your potholder at 8″ square or smaller, you can possible crochet two potholders out of two skeins of yarn. If your potholder is larger than 8″, you will only be able to crochet one potholder out of 2 skeins of yarn.
Crochet Thermal Stitch Potholder
The Single Crochet Thermal Stitch is the perfect crochet stitch for creating potholders.
Materials
- 2 skeins cotton yarn
Tools
- Size K Crochet Hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
Instructions
Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sl st – slip stitch
- blo – back loop only
- flo – front loop only
- yo – yarn over
- scts – single crochet thermal stitch
NOTE:
This potholder uses the single crochet thermal stitch with two strands of yarn held together.
If you crochet your potholder at 8" square or smaller, you can possibly crochet two potholders out of two skeins of yarn. If your potholder is larger than 8", you will only be able to crochet one potholder out of 2 skeins of yarn.
Foundation Chain:
With size K crochet hook and two strands of yarn held together, ch 25.
Row 1:
Starting in 2nd ch from hook, *sc in back hump of the ch st; repeat from * to end of row. (24 sts) 
Row 2:
Ch 1, turn, scts in each st across to the end of row. (24 sts)
Rows 3-39:
Repeat Row 2.
Remember, you want your potholder to be square. So, if it measures 8” wide, you’ll want to crochet rows until your potholder also measures 8” in height. If you have some other measurement for your width, say 7-1/2” or 9”, then simply adjust the number of rows crocheted accordingly until you reach the same measurement in height.
Row 40:
Ch 1, turn. Slip stitch in the blo of the next st and each st across to the end of the row. DO NOT FASTEN OFF.
NOTE: Just a note about the last row. I tried finishing the last row a couple of different ways and found I like the looks of the slip stitch as I have listed in the directions for Row 40 above. You could also crochet row 40 by crocheting a modified scts as follows:
- Ch 1, turn.
- Instead of crocheting in the blo of the next st, insert hook through both of the loops (front loop and back loop - like you would with a normal sc stitch) and the blo of the stitch in the previous row.
- Continue with this modified scts in each st across to the end of the row.
- Do not fasten off.
- Continue with loop instructions below.
Loop
When you get to the end of the last row, ch 12. Sl st to the last st, making a loop with the chain and fasten off. Weave in yarn end from your beginning chain.
Alternate Loop
For a more substantial loop, you can ch 12, sl st to the last st of the row; sl st in each ch st (12 sts) of the loop, then fasten off, weaving in the yarn end. Weave in yarn end from your beginning chain.
Notes
- Finished Size: Approximately 8” x 8”
- You can make this pattern as big or small as you want simply by adjusting the number of chain stitches in your foundation chain and adding (or subtracting) any necessary rows.
Gauge
20 rows = 4” in single crochet thermal stitch
Recommended Products
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Purchase Printable (and Ad-Free) Pattern
An ad-free version of this Single Crochet Thermal Stitch Potholder pattern can be purchased online through my Etsy shop – The Birch Cottage Shop. This is a PDF document and not a physical document.
Once you purchase the printable version of the pattern, you can download the PDF to your computer or smart device for viewing or printing.
More Crochet Patterns
If you liked this single crochet thermal stitch potholder pattern, you might also like these other crochet patterns from The Birch Cottage:
- Crocheted Textured Stitch Dishcloth
- Lemon Peel Crochet Dishcloth
- Crochet The Birch Cottage Dish Towel
Happy crocheting, friends! If you have any questions about this pattern, PLEASE don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll answer your questions as soon as I possibly can!
Til next time…
Sherry
Friday 6th of March 2020
Looking for Print option for Single crochet potholder pattern. Did not see any options. Did I miss?
Pamela Baker
Tuesday 10th of March 2020
Hi, Sherry.
There is a printable version of the pattern available for purchase in my Etsy shop, The Birch Cottage Shop. This is a PDF document that you can download to your computer or smart device (I like viewing patterns on my iPad) or even print it on your home printer.
Hope this helps!
Pam Baker The Birch Cottage