Spring Forth Potholder
Designed by Lisa Gonzalez
Skill Level: Easy
Another easy level (dare I say "beginner"?) potholder created with two identical rectangles constructed separately and then assembled. The inspiration for this handy item was an incredible February thaw here in Minnesota wherein the temps reached 53 degrees - unheard of in this neck of the woods! My lawn was peeking out of the snow (which had been piled up over 3 feet the day before) as it melted away, the sun was bright and warm and my thoughts were of bright greens, soft cotton, and little crocheted frills.
The basic stitch pattern is the crunch stitch, which I have been jazzed about lately. It involves alternating hdc and slip stitch and creates a nice texture that is bumpy, without being stripey, and has a lovely diagonal slash look. It feels like and extreme mono tweed!
Materials:
Two balls Lily Sugar 'n; Cream, or other 100% cotton yarn (approx. 2.5 oz./ 120 yds per ball); 2 balls Hot Green (MC), one ball Lime Stripes (CC) ·Size G crochet hook ·Yarn needle
Gauge:
15 st and 16 rows in pattern stitch = 4 in. x 4 in. Stitches used: Ch, sc, sl st, hdc. Finished measurements: Approx. 9 in. x 9 in. Potholder Panel (Make 2):
With MC, Ch 31 Row 1: Sc in 2"d ch from hook, \*hdc, sl st across, with sc in last st. 30 st. Row 2: Turn. Ch 1, sc in sc, \*hdc in sl st, sl st in hdc, with sc in last sc. Rep row 2 for a total of 28 rows, or until piece measures approx. 6 %2 in. from beg. Fasten off.
Assembly:
Row 1: Crochet two panels together evenly with a row of sc, working 3 sc in same st at corners. Join to beg sc. Switch to CC. Row 2: \*Sc, ch 3, sk 2 sc, sl st in next sc\* around. Join w sl st to first st. Row 3: \*4 sc in ch-3 sp, sl st in sl st\* around. Join w sl st to first st. Row 4: \*Ch 4, sk sc and sl st in sl st\* around. Join w sl st to first st. Fasten off and weave in all loose ends. Yum! f Lisa M. Gonzalez
