Opal Jensen has opinions about kitchen safety. "Most burns," she says, hooking yarn with the speed of someone who's been crocheting since the Nixon administration, "are entirely preventable if people just had proper potholders instead of those flimsy things that might as well be made of good intentions and regret."
This granny square potholder pattern has been passed through the Pines & Needles community for years, protecting countless hands from countless casserole dishes. Opal has graciously agreed to share it, with the firm stipulation that nobody use acrylic yarn. "Cotton or nothing," she warned. "Acrylic melts. I've seen it happen. I don't want to talk about it."
Materials Needed
100% cotton yarn in worsted weight, approximately 50–75 yards per potholder · Size H/8 (5mm) crochet hook · Yarn needle for weaving in ends · Scissors
Abbreviations
ch = chain · sl st = slip stitch · sc = single crochet · dc = double crochet · sp = space
The Classic Granny Square Potholder
Round 1: Make a magic ring (or ch 4 and sl st to join). Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc into ring, ch 2, *3 dc into ring, ch 2* three times. Sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. (4 groups of 3 dc, 4 corner spaces)
Round 2: Sl st to first corner space. Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc all in same corner space. *Ch 1, in next corner space work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).* Repeat around. Ch 1, sl st to join.
Round 3: Sl st to corner space. Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in corner. *Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner.* Repeat around. Sl st to join.
Rounds 4–6: Continue the pattern, adding one more 3-dc group per side each round. Your corners are always (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). Your sides get longer. This is how granny squares work. It's very satisfying once you get the rhythm.
Border Round: Ch 1, sc evenly around entire square, working 3 sc in each corner. When you get back to the start, ch 12 for the hanging loop, sl st to same stitch. Fasten off. Weave in all your ends. All of them. Yes, that one too.
Double-Thick Option (Recommended)
For extra heat protection, make two identical squares and single crochet them together around the edges, wrong sides facing. This is the "I actually want to use this near a hot stove" version.
Opal's Final Notes
"Your tension might be different than mine. That's fine. Make a test square. If it's floppy, go down a hook size. If it's so tight you can barely get the hook through, go up a size."
"Change colors whenever you want. Every round, every other round, never. The yarn police aren't coming. Use what makes you happy."
"These make excellent gifts. Pair them with a wooden spoon and one of Della Mae's muffin recipes and you've got yourself a housewarming basket that says you actually put in some effort. And you did. You made something with your hands. That matters."
"And for heaven's sake, make two. One potholder is a tragedy waiting to happen. You've got two hands. Protect both of them."
You've got this. Happy hooking.