This Thick Pot Holder Crochet Pattern + Basket creates a practical kitchen set from super-bulky cotton yarn. The round hot pads have dense, knit-look stitches and a firm border, while the matching low basket keeps the set tidy between uses. Make the pieces in one neutral shade or combine several colors for an easy handmade gift.
The pattern is worked in continuous rounds with waistcoat single crochet, a variation of single crochet that is inserted between the legs of the stitch. The result is thick, compact fabric with very little open space—ideal for sturdy kitchen crochet projects.
Pattern Details
- Skill level: Confident beginner to intermediate
- Pot holder size: About 8 inches (20 cm) across
- Basket size: About 10 inches (25 cm) across and 4 inches (10 cm) tall
- Construction: Continuous rounds from the center outward
- US terms: ch = chain, sc = single crochet, wsc = waistcoat single crochet, dc = double crochet, sl st = slip stitch, inc = 2 stitches in one stitch, BLO = back loop only
Materials
- Super-bulky #6 yarn made from 100% cotton
- 9 mm (M/N) crochet hook
- Large-eye yarn needle
- Locking stitch marker
- Scissors
One pot holder uses approximately 45–55 yards (41–50 m), depending on tension. The basket uses about 120–140 yards (110–128 m). If your cotton yarn is thinner, hold two strands together and adjust the hook size until the fabric feels firm.
Important safety note: Use heat-safe natural cotton, not acrylic or polyester yarn, because synthetic fibers can soften or melt near high heat. A handmade pad is not rated protective equipment. Check for thin spots before every use, keep it dry, and use extra protection for very hot or heavy cookware.
How to Work Waistcoat Single Crochet
Instead of inserting the hook under the two top loops, insert it through the center of the V on the front of the stitch. Push the hook between the two vertical legs and out through the back. Yarn over, pull up a generous loop, yarn over again, and pull through both loops.
Do not crochet too tightly. The thick yarn needs enough space for the hook to pass through the V. If the stitch becomes difficult, pull each loop slightly taller before completing it. Keep a marker in the first stitch of every round and move it upward as you work.
Thick Round Pot Holder Pattern
Work continuously without joining unless the instructions say otherwise. The beginning chain does not count as a stitch.
Center and Increase Rounds
Round 1: Make a magic ring and work 8 regular sc into the ring. Pull closed. (8)
Round 2: Work 2 wsc in every stitch around. (16)
Round 3: Repeat [1 wsc, inc] around. (24)
Round 4: Repeat [2 wsc, inc] around. (32)
Round 5: Repeat [3 wsc, inc] around. (40)
Round 6: Repeat [4 wsc, inc] around. (48)
Round 7: Repeat [5 wsc, inc] around. (56)
Round 8: Repeat [6 wsc, inc] around. (64)
To reduce visible corners, offset the increases in alternate rounds. For example, begin Round 6 with two wsc, work the regular increase repeat, and finish with the remaining two wsc. The total stitch count stays the same, but the increases no longer stack directly above one another.
Firm Border
Slip stitch in the next stitch. Chain 1 and work one regular sc in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch. For a braided-looking edge, add one round of reverse single crochet, working from left to right. Fasten off and weave the tail securely through several stitches on the back.
Adjusting the Trivet Size
For a small mug trivet, stop after Round 5 or 6 and add the border. For a larger serving trivet, continue increasing in the established pattern: Round 9 is [7 wsc, inc] around for 72 stitches, and Round 10 is [8 wsc, inc] around for 80 stitches.
If the circle cups, the stitches may be too tight or the round may need more increases. If it ripples, use a smaller hook or repeat a non-increase round before the border. Lay the work flat after each round to catch shaping problems early.
Matching Crochet Storage Basket
Make the basket base by following Pot Holder Rounds 1–9, ending with 72 stitches. The wider base allows several pads to fit comfortably.
Basket Round 10: Work one sc in the BLO of each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch. This creates the corner where the side begins.
Basket Round 11: Chain 3, then work one dc in each stitch around. Join. (72)
Basket Round 12: Chain 3. Alternate one front-post dc around the next stitch and one back-post dc around the following stitch. Repeat around and join.
Basket Round 13: Chain 3. Work a back-post dc around each front-post stitch and a front-post dc around each back-post stitch. Join.
Rounds 14–16: Repeat Rounds 12 and 13, maintaining the alternating texture. Add or remove rounds to change the basket height.
Top edge: Chain 1 and work one sc in every stitch around. Add one reverse-single-crochet round to match the pot holders. Fasten off and weave in the end.
Finishing and Care
Gently shape each pad by hand. Avoid aggressive stretching, which can open gaps between stitches. Wash according to the cotton yarn label, reshape while damp, and dry completely before storing. Stacking damp pads in the basket can trap moisture.
Color and Gift Ideas
Sage, cream, oatmeal, and terracotta create a calm modern kitchen palette. For a farmhouse look, use natural cotton with charcoal accents. Bright scraps can become a playful mixed set, provided every yarn is heat-safe cotton of the same thickness.
These are useful things to crochet for your home and also make thoughtful housewarming gifts. Make three to five pads, place them in the basket, and add a handwritten care card. The result is a polished handmade set that is practical, washable, and easy to customize.
This original trivet pattern is a satisfying way to practice working in the round and learn waistcoat single crochet. Once you understand the steady increase rhythm, you can create matching coasters, larger table mats, or a whole family of kitchen crochet projects.
