I spend so much time making gifts for the holidays, as much as I enjoy making handmade gifts, it’s nice to remember to make something for myself every now and then. My go to make for “me” has always been hot pads. I love that I can make them with leftover yarn and that they are a useful item that I use daily.
I have a couple free hot pad tutorials that are popular on my blog. One is for a pocket hot pad that makes a darling gift, you can find that one HERE. The other free tutorial is a traditional hot pad made in rounds. Again, the free tutorial is on my blog and it also includes a video tutorial, you can find it HERE. Also included is a scrubby pattern and a printable to make them a perfect gift.
Crochet for me!
Each January, I make a point to make myself at least 4 new hot pads for my kitchen. As a mom and wife, I spend so much time cooking and am always grabbing a hot pad. Opening up my drawer and seeing a brand new hot pad makes the daily mundane routine a little fun. Seeing something new just re-energizes me, it’s those little things that can make a big difference. So, as I sit down to make whip up some new ones, I decided to try something a little different.
Using the same technique as the traditional hot pad, I added some color changes to create a plaid design. This simple change upscales your kitchen to a cozy home feeling.
My friend Marie, over at Underground Crafter, is hosting a Gift to Myself Crochet Along. I encourage you to check out all the fun patterns she is sharing this month. This Plaid/Checkered Hot Pad is being featured in her post along with 14 other things to crochet for yourself this year!
FREE Plaid or checkered hot pad Tutorial
Below is a written and photo tutorial for the hot pad. If you like to watch video tutorials, you’re welcome to scroll down and watch my video tutorial at the bottom.
Using any two colors of worsted weight yarn and a crochet hook K (6.50 mm), begin with a chain in increments of 8 + 5. By adding or subtracting 8 stitches you will increase or decrease the size of your hot pad. I like to start with a beginning chain of 37 (8×4=32 / 32+5=37chains).
Skip 1st chain, sc in next 3 chains working into the top loop only. You will work one more single crochet and change yarn colors in last pull through (insert hook, pull up a loop-2 loop on hook), yarn over with new yarn color and pull through both loops on hook to finish sc. 4 sc have been completed in the main color.
Continue working 4 single crochets in each color, changing to new color in last pull through of 4th single crochet. Repeat to the end of the row.
You will now rotate the beginning chain and work along the other side of the chain again, alternating colors every 4 stitches. Continue this pattern along beginning chain until each chain has been worked in.
When you complete the round, do NOT join. You may notice that the colors on the opposite side of the beginning chain are opposite, this is correct. In the last sc of round 1, you should have changed the color of yarn and it should be the same color you began with. If you began with 37 chains, you will end round 1 with 72 single crochets.
Round 2 through Round 4
Do not join and do not work a beginning chain.
I recommend marking the 1st stitch of each round with a marker. Work round 2 with single crochets changing color after each 4th stitch. The colors will align with the colors of round 1.
Each plaid, or checker, square is made by crocheting 4 rows using the same color pattern. After those 4 rows have been crocheted the colors will shift 1 “square”.
Adjust your Round for new plaid pattern
The ends of the rounds (first and last beginning chain) are the diagonal points of the hot pad. You may have noticed these points are beginning to curve. We will want the “seam”, or section that has the visible color change, to run along the edge of the curve, not down the center of your hot pad.
You will need to work one more color change past the beginning of the row plus 4 more. Basically, crochet a total of 8 single crochet in the new color. This will shift your color change to begin the new “square” pattern that will alternate with the color work of rounds 1-4.
Continue through 4 1/2 square sections
Continue to crochet color changes every 4 stitches for a total of 4 rows. Repeat this color work pattern until you have 4 completed squares plus 2 more rows. This will be a total of 18 rows.
Mattress Stitch to seam hot pad closed
Align the stitches so the colors match up. To watch how to work the mattress stitch you can click on this link to watch a video tutorial-click HERE.
You Tube Video Tutorial
I love crocheting but find that watching a tutorial is often easier than following written instructions. If you’re the same way, or if you want a little more detail, just watch my YouTube Tutorial here. I’ll show you each step of the way as well as give you a few tips along the way.
If You Enjoyed This Tutorial, Check Out The Ones Below:
- Coffee Cozy Sweater Wrap pattern, click HERE
- One Cup at a Time Coasters pattern, click HERE
- Hygge Coffee & Wine Cozy pattern, click HERE
More Crochet Fun
Follow Sweet Potato 3 on Facebook to see more pattern releases, sales and crochet fun, just click HERE.
However, if you would enjoy a more interactive group experience, you need to join my Crochet & Conversations facebook group, click HERE. It is a ton of fun and I encourage everyone to share their projects, WIPS (works in progress) and inspirations. Plus you get exclusive deals, are the first to see new releases, give input on designs and have opportunities to win patterns. Join now and get to know others who also enjoy the art of crochet.
