Potholder Pattern #2 (A Tutorial)

The following post is a copy of my guest post over at Sugar Bee Crafts from earlier this month.

(I'll leave my little introduction intact, just in case you are a new reader!) Hello, Sugar Bee Crafts Readers! My name is Rachel, and I blog over at The Philosopher's Wife.  I like to blog about my life, my crafts, things that matter to me, and whatever piques my interest.  I am a Stay-At-Home-Mom for my adorable daughter Catherine and I am wife to my wonderful husband, who, you might have been able to guess, is a Philosopher!

I love making pot-holders!  (You can read more about that here.)  I'd bet that many of you have a pot-holder loom hanging around the house.  It is time to dig it out, because I am going to share a pattern with you today that you're going to want to try!

(Before beginning, I highly recommend using the Harrisville Designs Pot-Holder Loom, but I especially recommend their loops.  Many of the loops that are found in craft stores these days are made from a cheap jersey material that is purely for decorative purposes--it even melts when it gets too hot!  The Harrisville Design Loops are 100% cotton and make pot-holders that can be used for years!)

Make sure that you have enough of both colors that you intend to use.  

Start with Color One (Red) on both ends and add the loops as every other until they meet in the middle, where there should be two Reds.  My loom has 18 spokes, so spokes 9 & 10 should both be Color One--in this case, Red.

Do the exact same pattern, again with Color One (Red) on the outer most and in the middle, while doing a basic weave.  

Before trying to hook off the ends, push all of the loops towards the center.  Do this from all four sides and you should be able to easily crochet the ends together.  Add a few stitches with needle and thread to the final loop for added strength.  

Have your kids help make some pot-holders and then they can give them as gifts at Christmas.  Better yet, put together a couple of cookies-in-a-jar, some hot-chocolate jars, and the pot-holders in a basket with some ribbon and you have a lovely handmade gift that is easily tailored to anyone's tastes.

I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial!

I have another pot-holder tutorial that you might be interested in: the "Houndstooth" How To.

Thank you, Mandy, for this opportunity to guest post!

If you want to get really fancy with this pattern, you can try to make  a pot-holder like this one:

As always, I love sharing my projects around blogland.  
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Pot Holder Loom Weaving How To -- "Houndstooth"

This post contains affiliate links.

I've told you before how much I love making pot holders, so I decided to share the joy and show you how to make a Houndstooth pot holder.

One of my favorite patterns to make on my loom is this simple version of Houndstooth. I have also seen it referred to as a pinwheel.  Whatever you call it, this patterns looks classy and is super easy to make.

This pattern uses two colors--I am using pink and green.
Alternate two loops of green then two loops of pink across.

It can be helpful to hold up the loom and just focus on the sides.

Using the exact same pattern weave the loops though the first set--
two green and then two pink across.

Before finishing off the ends I like to flip the loom upside-down to make
sure that everything looks right.  If I don't like what I see at this point it is easy
to remove the loops and begin again.

The finished product!

UPDATE: I've had a couple people ask what loops I use.  I highly recommend these loops.  They are 100% cotton, extremely durable, and can be used to make functioning pieces.  

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Pot Holders, Potholders, Pot-Holders . . . You know what I mean!

(Totally random starting rambling . . . the word(s) potholder/pot-holder/potholder drives me nuts.  I can't find a definitive answer online right now.  It seems like everywhere I turn there is a different "correct" usage.  I'm going to say that since there is disagreement I am free to use whatever version I prefer!)

One of the iconic toys for little girls is a pot holder loom.  Most of us had them.  The higher quality ones where/are made of metal and then the cheaper models were/are made of plastic.  I had a red plastic loom as a child.  I remember going to Michael's to buy loops with money I won at the county fair.  I made quite a few pot holders for my Mom and Grandma.  My Mom still has some of them floating around--a little faded, perhaps.  I have a larger place-mat size one that I use regularly.  It is great for hot serving dishes on the table.

I finished this Green on Green Pot Holder
last week.  I really love the nine different
striped squares.  Two colors + Under-over
weaving = So many possibilities!

I now have a higher quality metal loom.  I love it!  The metal spokes don't bend or give the way the plastic one used to.  I've also been using Harrisville Design Loops, which are a lot better than the ones that I used as a kid.  These are 100% cotton.  They also go through a more rigid quality control process.  I remember being frustrated by the number of loops that didn't fit on the loom as a kid--I've made about a dozen pot holders and have yet to come across a loop that doesn't fit.  (Also, you have to watch out for the cheap imitation jersey loops.  Those make pot holders that are for decorative purposes only.  They offer little protection from heat.  Even worse, when exposed to extreme heat--like a cookie tray, or something from the oven--they can melt.  Yes, that's right MELT.  Not a good characteristic of a pot holder.)  Anther fabulous plus for making pot holders is that it is a project that from start to finish can be completed during Catherine's nap time.  Which is great, because lots of colorful loops and a toddler don't really mix well.

Besides using "crafting time" to make a useful product and the soothing quality that weaving has, I absolutely love coming up with patters!  It is amazing how many things you can come up with just doing a simple over and under weave.  Combining and alternating colors to make an appealing design can be a bit of a mental game.  It isn't always easy to visualize how a pattern will turn out.  Of course, it you don't like it you can always unravel it and start again.  (And yes, I have done this!)  Anyone that knows me knows that I love color--this is a great way to add color to a boring apartment kitchen.  (Or any kitchen!)

Bottom line, I love making pot holders!  I make them for me, I make them as gifts, I make them to sell.  I try to post photos of my various creations on Facebook.  (And it would totally make my day if you "liked" me!)

Be sure to check out some of my potholder tutorials!
"Houndstooth"
"Pattern #2"

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