Free Americana Pot Holder Knitting Pattern

This darling pot holder captures the special style of homespun early Americana. The crocheted edge and classic shades of red, white, and blue make the pot holder look special without involving complicated techniques.

Picture of striped Americana style pot holders.
These pot holders are classic pieces of
Americana that won't go out of style.

Techniques

Binding off -- BO
Casting on -- CO
Crochet chain
Garter stitch
Single crochet

Size

Approximately 7x7 inches (18x18cm)

Gauge

24 stitches/48 rows=4" (10cm) in garter stitch

What You'll Need

Yarn: Approximately 100 yards (274m) each 98.3% cotton, 1.7% elastic yarn in 3 colors

We used: Cascade Yarns Fixation: #8176 Ecru (color A), 1 skein; #2625 Blueberry (color B), 1 skein; #3794 Wine (color C), 1 skein

Needles: US size 5 (3.75mm)

Notions: US size G (4.25mm) crochet hook; tapestry needle

Notes: * Yarn is used doubled throughout. Wind color A into 2 balls before starting.* Special abbreviation: sl2kp. Slip 2 together as if to knit, knit 1, pass the slipped stitches over (a centered double decrease).

Making the Pot Holder

Cast on 71 stitches using 2 strands of color A held together as 1. Work as follows:

Row 1: Knit 34, slip 2 stitches together knitwise, knit 1, pass both slipped stitches over the knit stitch, knit 34. (69 stitches)
Row 2 and all even-numbered rows: Knit.
Row 3: Knit 33, sl2kp, knit 33. (67 stitches)
Row 5: Knit 32, sl2kp, knit 32. (65 stitches)
Row 7: Change to colors B and C (1 strand each color held together as 1); knit 31, sl2kp, knit 31. (63 stitches)
Row 9: Knit 30, sl2kp, knit 30. (61 stitches)
Row 11: Knit 29, sl2kp, knit 29. (59 stitches)
Row 13: Knit 28, sl2kp, knit 28. (57 stitches)
Row 15: Knit 27, sl2kp, knit 27. (55 stitches)
Row 17: Knit 26, sl2kp, knit 26. (53 stitches)
Row 19: Change to color A (2 strands held together as 1); knit 25, sl2kp, knit 25. (51 stitches)
Row 21: Knit 24, sl2kp, knit 24. (49 stitches)
Row 23: Knit 23, sl2kp, knit 23. (47 stitches)
Row 25: Knit 22, sl2kp, knit 22. (45 stitches)
Row 27: Knit 21, sl2kp, knit 21. (43 stitches)
Row 29: Knit 20, sl2kp, knit 20. (41 stitches)
Row 31: Knit 19, sl2kp, knit 19. (39 stitches)
Row 33: Change to colors B and C (1 strand each color held together as 1); knit 18, sl2kp, knit 18. (37 stitches)
Row 35: Knit 17, sl2kp, knit 17. (35 stitches)
Row 37: Knit 16, sl2kp, knit 16. (33 stitches)
Row 39: Knit 15, sl2kp, knit 15. (31 stitches)
bKnit 14, sl2kp, knit 14. (29 stitches)
Row 43: Knit 13, sl2kp, knit 13. (27 stitches)
Row 45: Change to color A (2 strands held together as 1); knit 12, sl2kp, knit 12. (25 stitches)
Row 47: Knit 11, sl2kp, knit 11. (23 stitches)
Row 49: Knit 10, sl2kp, knit 10. (21 stitches) bKnit 9, sl2kp, knit 9. (19 stitches)
Row 53: Knit 8, sl2kp, knit 8. (17 stitches)
Row 55: Knit 7, sl2kp, knit 7. (15 stitches)
Row 57: Knit 6, sl2kp, knit 6. (13 stitches)

Bind off remaining 13 stitches. Cut yarn, leaving tails of about 24" (61cm).

Hanging Loop: Using crochet hook and yarn tails, make a single chain of 13 stitches, attaching last stitch to other side of pot holder at beginning of bound-off row, forming a loop (see photo). Thread remaining tail end on tapestry needle, and weave between bound-off stitches to secure. With colors B and C held together as 1, join to work at 1 side of loop, and work in single crochet around edge of pot holder, including outside of loop (see photo). Do not work single crochet under loop, across bound-off stitches. Use tapestry needle to weave in all loose ends.

Looking to knit something that will straighten up your closet? We have a pattern for a padded hanger and sachet that just might be what you're looking for.

Yards vs. Meters
When the materials list in your pattern lists the amount of yarn needed in yards, but the yarn you want to use is listed in meters, don't fret! There's an easy formula for converting one to the other.

To convert from meters to yards, multiply the meters by 1.09. To convert from yards to meters, multiply the yards by 0.91.

For more helpful knitting tips and interesting patterns, try: