Knit a festive holiday pot holder with this incredibly quick and simple free knitting pattern. This oversize pot holder made in Lion Brand Yarn’s super-bulky Wool-Ease yarn makes a lovely decoration for your party or a gift for the host of your Christmas festivities. Shown in the color “Hudson Bay,” this quick knitting project is reminiscent of cherry candy canes. It can make a fun holiday piece, but is subdued enough to be used year-round. Use it to display bowls of yummy food and vases of fresh-cut flowers.
About this Quick Knitting Pattern
This extra-thick, oversize potholder is made by doubling up strands of super bulky yarn. When using a self-striping yarn, as recommended, make sure you use a single dye lot and line up the striping colors before you begin knitting. Using two skeins from the same dye lot ensures you will have enough yarn for a complete square; however, you can also try dividing one skein equally in separate balls. Learn how to wind a center pull ball by hand here, then wind two balls from your single skein.
Cherry Candy Cane Potholder Knitting Pattern
This pattern is suitable for beginners. It is worked in garter stitch, a knitting stitch made entirely of knit stitches. The trickiest part is lining up the yarn stripes from two skeins of yarn so that they match when knit together. Take care to line up the yarn colors before you knit, and you’ll be off to an excellent start.
A note about heat: I use these pot holders under potted plants, flower vases, and the like. I don’t advise using them as oven mitts, but if you try it, please be safe. These may not be heat resistant. With the yarn I’ve recommended, these pot holders are only a little heat resistant, so be very careful if you are going to try and use them as oven mitts; the yarn can scorch with very high heat.
Materials
Yarn
Two 87-Yard Skeins of Lion Brand Yarns Wool-Ease Thick and Quick, Hudson Bay (or your preferred color). Alternatively, divide one 87-yard skein into two matching balls, ensuring the yarn colors will line up when knit with two strands held together.
- One potholder uses about 87 yards (5 oz.)
Knitting Needles
No. 17 (12MM) 32-inch circular needles or 14-inch straight needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)
Gauge
7 stitches and 11 rows in stockinette = 4 inches
Abbreviations
k = Knit.
Instructions: Cherry Candy Cane Potholder
(10 inch x 10 inch square)
Knit with 2 strands held together. Using two skeins from the same dye lot, line up the colors from the two balls so that the colors match when held together.
Row 1: Cast on 20.
Rows 2 through 34: k 20. (20 stitches)
Row 35: Bind off.
Weave in loose ends. Block if desired.
Print the Free Cherry Candy Cane Potholder Knitting Pattern
Printable Cherry Candy Cane Potholder pattern PDF by Liz @PurlsAndPixels
©2017, Liz Chandler of PurlsAndPixels.
This pattern is for personal use, gifting, and charitable donation of completed items. You may also sell items made using this pattern. Do not copy this pattern and distribute it. If you’d like to share the pattern, refer your friends to my website, purlsandpixels.com, so they may obtain a copy.
If you find any errors or have any questions, email purlsandpixels@gmail.com and I will do my best to help.
I’d love to see your finished work! Tag your photos with @PurlsAndPixels on Twitter or Instagram.
More Holiday Craft Ideas 🎄
Love DIY Christmas and holiday projects? Find more handmade holiday craft ideas at my Holiday Pattern Roundup Post.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!