Ready to start knitting up some PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)? No, not masks and gloves. Potholders!
Potholders are the PPE of the kitchen, protecting hands from the heat of skillet handles, hot pot lids, and scorching casserole dishes.
Not only are knit potholders protective gear, but they can be both functional and beautiful. There is no need to be concerned that a knitted potholder can’t handle hot dishes and pans. They definitely hold up to the heat!
This page is full of free knit potholder patterns just waiting to be stitched up for use in your own kitchen or to be gifted for housewarmings or to friends who love to cook.
Unlike a knitted blanket that takes a long time to complete, these knitted potholders can be made fairly quickly and are the perfect way to use up yarn scraps. For more items to knit for the kitchen, check out the page on knitted kitchen decor.
What kind of yarn do you use for potholders?
It is important to always make potholders with yarn that is spun with natural fibers. Think cotton, wool, hemp or alpaca. Cotton is the most popular choice.
Cotton potholders can handle the heat of the kitchen without melting, are absorbent, and are fairly good insulators. Cotton also has wonderful stitch definition, which makes it perfect for creating attractive knitted pieces.
Chunky yarn that is worsted weight or heavier is always a good choice.
Polyester fibers should not be used for potholders or other items that will be exposed to heat or high temperatures.
These yarns will melt from the heat and should not be used to make items for the kitchen such as potholders, hot pads, trivets or oven mitts, or anything else that would be used as insulators and for protection.
What are the benefits of potholders?
- Handling hot dishes: Potholders are primarily used to protect hands while moving hot pans, casserole dishes, serving plates and cast iron skillets around. They are great for moving a pan between stove top burners or from the stovetop to the counter.
- Protecting countertops and dinner tables: Potholders can be used in place of hot pads to keep surfaces protected from high heat. All types of materials used to make counters and tables handle heat differently. No matter the surface, it is better to be safe and take a moment to protect it.
- Quick clean up: The cotton material used to make potholders is also highly absorbent. If a little bit of sauce happens to land on a finger, the knitted potholder is handy for a quick wipe. When just a dab or wipe is necessary, a nearby potholder can do the job.
Keep in mind that potholders are not meant to be used in the oven like oven mitts. Potholders will only protect the hand. Oven mitts are a better choice as they cover the forearm as well as the hand and wrist.
Free knitted potholder patterns
This page is full of the greatest knit potholder patterns. There are double thick knit potholder patterns, whimsical bubble print potholders, pretty cherry candy cane potholders, and the list goes on.
If free knitted potholder patterns are desired, the list below contains a wide variety that would look lovely in any kitchen.
Scroll down to find just the right knit potholder pattern and get knitting!
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This knitted and felted pot holder pattern is worked with bobbles.
Garn Studio
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This mitt and potholder set accessories are the perfect addition to your kitchen once you knit using the free pattern at this post.
Blog Clover USA
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These checkerboard pot holders are knitted using the intarsia technique and then felted in the washing machine to make them good and sturdy.
Lifestyle - How Stuff Works
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Knit a festive holiday pot holder with this incredibly quick and simple free knitting pattern using the garter stitch.
Purls and Pixels
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The pretty stripes and simple design is knitted with a circular needle.
The Chilly Dog
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This pattern is an excellent beginner knitting project with the bonus that it’s really useful for the home and cute!
Homey Oh My
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The free potholder pattern is very easy to knit. It's made using the basic garter stitch in the round.
Purl Soho
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The main feature of these knitted pot holders is that they are completely customizable. You chose the yarn, cotton fabric and the stitch pattern.
Knit Bug
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Knit this charming mug rug with its pleasant rustic feel using this free mug rug knitting pattern!
Needlepointers.com Associate
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Here is a free pattern for a felted knit oven mitt.
Purl Soho
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A modern take on traditional quilt designs, these hot pads are doubly-thick, and reversible thanks to the double knitting technique.
by Shelli Can at Ravelry
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The finished potholder can be used in the kitchen or transitioned to the dinner table as a trivet.
Reading My Tea Leaves
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The garter stitch potholder is quick and easy to make.
Easy On The Tongue
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This potholder is knitted in the stitch in an easy linen stitch worked in the round.
The Chilly Dog
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This free knit potholder pattern is worked in stockinette stitch using two strands. Pattern pumpkin and bat.
Sarah Faith Crafts
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With this free pattern make a knitted and felted trivet worked with bobbles and a heart.
Garn Studio
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This mitten-style potholder is the best because it is double thick and it has a hand cover to keep you safe.
Affiliate Link to Yarnspirations
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This DIY knitted potholder pattern will stitch up quickly with chunky cotton yarn.
Hannah Trickett
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Here is a free knit potholder pattern that uses the linen stitch to make its lovely and flat design.
Nouish and Nestle
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Learn how to knit a beginner-friendly linen stitch mug rug. Easy, absorbent, and beautiful texture. Perfect for knitters of all skill levels.
Needlepointers.com Associate
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The magic about this free potholder pattern is that the stripes are vertical on one side, and horizontal on the other!
by Sara H. Baldwin at Ravelry
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This pattern is worked in the garter stitch and felted to provide the user with a thick fabric that will keep the heat away from the fingers.
Knitting Board
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A free pattern for a thick knitted potholder that will keep your hands from burning.
By Faythe Payne at Discover Hugpages
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To get into the mood for autumn, knit yourself a couple of pumpkin shaped potholders with this free pattern.
Knitting And So On
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For this Santa clause potholder, you basically double stockinette stitch all the way with color changes every couple of rows.
Nimble Needles
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This easy pot holder knitting pattern works up very quickly with three strands of yarn.
Fave Crafts
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Knitted pot holders in 2 strands of yarn are knitted with a waffle pattern.
Garn Studio
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This knitted potholder is worked with a Nordic fair-isle pattern.
Garn Studio
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Knit a pot holder with a colorful tea cup for a kitchen accent with this free knit pattern.
Fave Crafts
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