A knit potholder is a great gift for housewarmings or for people who love to cook. This potholder is made with chunky yarn, but any yarn that’s worsted weight or heavier can be used.
Just remember to use a yarn that is spun with natural fibres. For instance, wool, cotton, hemp or alpaca. Synthetic yarns like acrylic or polyester run the risk of melting if the pot that’s placed on it is too hot!
Knit Potholder Video Tutorial
Watch the above video for a step-by-step tutorial on how to knit the potholder.
Project Time: 2-3 hours
Materials:
- 50 yards of chunky yarn
- 6mm double pointed needles (or circular needles)
- tapestry needle
- scissors
- sewing needle
- sewing thread in a color that matches the yarn
- small piece of leather (optional)
- sewing thread that matches the leather (optional)
Knit Potholder Instructions:
With double pointed needle, cast on 3 sts
Knit 3 sts
*Do not turn the needle over. Instead, push the stitches to the right side of the needle so that the working yarn is coming from the last stitch. Knit 3 stitches; repeat from * to create an i-cord.
Watch the above video tutorial for a demonstration on how to knit an i-cord and how to seam it together.

Knit the i-cord until it is 66” or 2” length than your desired length. Then, K2tog, K1 to decrease the i-cord to 2 sts.

Continue to knit the i-cord for 2” more. Then leave a 6” tail and cut the working yarn. Weave the yarn into the remaining two stitches.
Thread the yarn onto a tapestry needle and insert the tapestry needle into the centre of the i-cord. Pull the yarn through to hide it inside the i-cord. Trim off the yarn end. Do the same to the other end of the i-cord so that both ends are neat.
Thread up the sewing needle and knot the end. Starting at the cast on end of the i-cord, (not the side that has been decreased), coil the I-cord and stitch it in place with the sewing thread. This is best demonstrated in the tutorial video above.
Continue coiling and stitching until the i-cord is all coiled up. Stitch into the tapered end of the i-cord a few times to secure it in place.
Cut a small leather piece that’s roughly 1”x3” or a length that can wrap two widths of the outer i-cord.
Cut through the stitching so that the leather piece can wrap around two width of the i-cord. Insert the leather piece around the i-cord and stitch it in place. I’ve used whip stitch because I think it complements the rustic look of the potholder.
Now the potholder is complete!
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