Thread Potholder

[Becks]

This section has so many pages I hope no one has already started a thread on this somewhere back awhile.

I was at an antique mall about two years ago and came upon this what was labeled a "potholder".

http://www.myonlineimages.com/Members/ChunkyMonkey/images/thread%20003.jpg

I fell in love with it immediately and bought it so I could figure out how to make one for myself.

Here's the back.

http://www.myonlineimages.com/Members/ChunkyMonkey/images/thread%20004.jpg

See how it's just simply a "grid" made out of crochet thread. It's double crocheted, chain two, double crochet, etc. until you have formed this "grid".

That's the first step.

Then you get to decorate the "grid" by using whatever crazy pattern you can think of. It's a great project to get rid of all the excess leftover threads accumulating in your stash. :D

For the top, you simply do three double crochets into one square, then move to the next side of a grid square, up or down, and do three double crochets into that square, etc. You must follow along like a chain wiggling up over and around, until you have completely covered all the sides of each grid square. :lol (I knew this was going to be difficult to explain! LOL!!!) It's really a lot easier than I can describe Hee hee!)

I took a close-up shot here
http://www.myonlineimages.com/Members/ChunkyMonkey/images/close-up.bmp

I hope that helps you to see how the crocheting on the top is done.

Well, I had no crochet thread at first to try one on my own. But I did have a lot of candlewicking thread, (I love garage sales!), so I made one using that.

http://www.myonlineimages.com/Members/ChunkyMonkey/images/thread%20006.jpg

and the back

http://www.myonlineimages.com/Members/ChunkyMonkey/images/thread%20007.jpg

It's not as heavy as the crochet thread one I bought. It's a lot of fun to make!

So then I came across a lot of leftover crochet thread at the Goodwill store.
I finally made one using it. I started with making one square, then I thought, what if I combined it with more? So I made four, combined them, (joining them from the back) and then gridded and crocheted a border around the whole shebang.

http://www.myonlineimages.com/Members/ChunkyMonkey/images/thread%20009.jpg

(It must have been just after Valentine's Day as this was all done in pinks and whites, hee hee!)

http://www.myonlineimages.com/Members/ChunkyMonkey/images/thread%20010.jpg

Here's the back. Can you see where I've joined the squares and where I added the border?

It's the size of a pillow top and has a nice weight about it.

Here's a perspective shot with a couple of thread thingies so you can kind of see the size...

http://www.myonlineimages.com/Members/ChunkyMonkey/images/thread%20012.jpg

Here I put it over my fulled blanket to try and show how you can still see through the grid squares but it didn't really show you much.
http://www.myonlineimages.com/Members/ChunkyMonkey/images/thread%20013.jpg

I may make it into a pillow if I do another for the back, (although I could just have the back be cloth, I'm not sure yet.

ANYWAY, I hope I explained it enough for you all to try your hand at making them. They are a lot of fun! :D

[Donna]

Oh, wow! I totally love these! :manyheart Thank you for sharing this! :clap

[Kimberly]

Wow! I love it - it looks very 'funky' which is perfect for my kitchen here in Europe (its an Ikea apartment - so very 'modern' furniture). I wonder if I can figure this out to do in blues....hmmm - thanks for the challenge!

I keep reading your comments, looking at the picture :think reading your comments, looking at the picture :think ..... :lol I think that I have it figured out just about after reading it about 10 times! :scrachin

Thanks for sharing!!

[vatonc1]

Wow! That is sooo pretty! I recently picked up a simplified version of a similar hotpad...I hadn't had a chance to really look at the pattern though- I will have to dig it out now :)
By the way- your variation is much prettier than the pattern I have

[xantha]

Oh wow! :eek Thanks for sharing this! Those look great! :manyheart I am going to have to try this; I've never seen anything like this before. Thank you, and wow again! I love how yours turned out!!

[Becks]

Kimberly!,
:lol I'm sorry I'm such a terrible explainer on "how-to-do" things! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/darkharper/15.gif
I'd be happy to make you one. If you held it in your hand; you could easily see how it's done. :)


vatonc1,
Yes! A hot pad! That's exactly the word for it! :ty I thought the term "potholder" was not right. You couldn't use this to take hot things out of an oven. It still has the grid holes throughout. It should really only be used to place hot things onto. Like a trivet. Thanks!

xantha,
Thanks for your nice comments as well. :hug



As far as deciding what sort of design to do, I do go a bit overboard with my enthusiasm sometimes! :lol Using a square pattern, (similar to the original diamond pattern), would probably be easiest. I think I just did the hearts because of the colors I had. :P

I was also thinking that; to save time, maybe using already existing "grids" would work. Like the canvas mesh used to make hook-rugs on. It seems like it would work anyway. As long as the lines on it are fixed and don't slide around as sometimes they do. Also, maybe, the plastic canvas grids used to make plastic canvas projects, (such as tissue box covers). Hmmmm, but those might be too rigid to work with. And not big enough squares.

But ,anyway, the hook-rug canvas....I wonder if that would work.......Sorry, some times I tend to :blah babble on, heehee! :lol

[rddugan]

Wow Becks, I love it too. :heart I think your idea for a pillow would be fantastic. I can imagine it made with soft, light weight chenille like yarn, or with funky microspun... I love your design in the pinks....
I WANT TO MAKE ONE TOO!! :jumpyay

(but I have so many UFO's:blush ).


I think this is a commonplace quandary amongst the citizens of this village. Oh well, I hope you don't mind that I saved a picture and your instructions, (which I thought were very clear). Thanks for sharing it!
Diane

[faithpa76]

Wow, that is really cool - I have all sorts of ideas running through my head right now. I'm thinking that could make a really cool throw rug given the right materials ...

Hmmmmmm ...

[Julie]

That really is cool. I feel like I have seen those before but don't have a clue where. Probably an antique store. Now I'm very tempted to make a couple myself. The rug hooking mesh is a good idea if you want to make one in a hurry. :tup Very nice!! :clap

[RachelG]

Wow...I'm not sure if I've ever seen anything like that!

[vhanna26]

Very interesting. I've not seen one before, and I'm intrigued.

[rsisland]

When I first saw it I instantly thought of a throw rug. Then I wandered into the bath mat frame of mind. Oh the possiblities. Soft next to a crib...If you use the rug mesh, you could probably make different shapes also. I can't keep up with all these cool ideas !

:manyheart

[LanetteG]

OMG! When my grandfather moved last year, I found several of these that my grandmother and great grandmother had made years before, I just thought they were so beautiful! When he died shortly afterwards, my mom said I could have them. So they've been sitting in a drawer, I'm afraid to let anyone use them! I'll have to get them out nd study them more!:manyheart

[jaclim]

Thanks for sharing this, Becks! :hook

[jingles96]

So cool! What a neat idea. I'll have to try this sometime. :hook

[noricum]

Oooo... neat! And you did a great job of explaining it! :)

[MLLORF]

Very neat. I may have to try that. I too am going to save your pic and instructions. When cleaning my mother's house I found a bag with lots of crochet cotton.

Lanette, I would really like to see what yours look like.

[vatonc1]

Ok..I've been thinking about this and the pattern I mentioned yesterday (and have stashed somewhere he!he!) was a free leaflet from Joanne's that I picked up about two weeks ago...It was on the aisle with the thread and rug yarn, I believe it was published by Aunt Lydias. Like I said though, it was no where near as pretty...but it's the same concept.
I have been overwhelmed with sick children the past few days, but if I get a chance, I will dig it out and tell you all a bit more about it.

[crochetrae]

There's a Jeanette Crews Designs leaflet called "Hot Stuff for the holidays". It's 6 holiday hot pads with matching coasters designed by Susan Lowman. They're this same stuff, with the foundation mesh and then the wavy design on top. The instructions are excellent, very clear. It's a 2003 publication book # 16035.

Susan Rae

[LanetteG]

Lucy,

I'll try to get a picture tomorrow. I hid them from my hubby so he wouldn't get them dirty!:blush

[Becks]

Oh I'm so glad Lucy asked to see pictures of yours, Lanette, I'm dying to see them too!. I can't wait! :bounce

[crochetfun]

How did I miss this post?


Really beautiful. Am I understanding it correctly, the design is crocheted perpendicular to the grid?

Would it work over a grid made out of afghan stitch/ tunisian stitch?

[threeolivemartini]

my grandparents had hot pads just like those.. thanks for sharing the "secret" to making them .. I think I am gonna give it a go when i can go get some more threads !!

[Becks]

Am I understanding it correctly, the design is crocheted perpendicular to the grid?

It's sort of done right on top of the grid. Like you are crocheting three dimentionally. Think like when you hook rug and you cover over one side of a grid's square with a piece of yarn. This is where you do three double crochets over one.

If you look at the back again, you will see how it is done in a zig zag sort of way, snaking along the four sides of each grid square you have originally crocheted when you make the initial grid at the beginning. Like steps in a set of stairs.

Three double crochets go onto one side of one tiny square on the grid, then you choose either left, right, or continuing straight and crochet three double crochets onto the next side of the same tiny square you are on, or the next grid square, depending on how you decided you wanted your top design to look.

You must remember that since, on the top design, all your double crochet stitches are connected, it will limit how you go about covering your grid. I found it easiest to graph it out onto a graph paper just how to do the design I wanted.

I'm so sorry. I probably confused you even more! :lol

[Seneca and Scooch]

There is a pattern similar to those in the Leasure Arts Leaflet: Contest Favorites Dishcloths. I was looking at it last night to choose some for the dishcloth swap and was surprised when I came upon it. It's on page 5: Diamonds For Christmas, won Third prize. It's done in cotton but you could use the instructions and do it in thread.

Coralie

[crochetfun]

thanks:)

[Yarnmistress]

Those are the coolest things. I am not sure I understand the pattern, but I'll keep rereading it to figure it out.

THANKS FOR SHARING!

[crystal]

This is how my husbands grandmother made all of her pot holders. I'll see if I can get the scanner to work and scan one of hers in. I still use them. I really would like to learn how to do this. I could never find anyone to teach me. I can't seem to make them as "tight" as she did. Mine are so limp. Can you e-mail me and help me,please? You really must know what your doing.

[LanetteG]

I am so sorry I haven't been able to find them yet, but i have one more place to look(and that's probably where they'll be!):think

[lene]

I think if I could hold one of these in my hand and look at the darn thing, I could understand the directions for making them, but for the lilfe of me, I'm not quite getting it right now. I'll see if I can find the leaflets mentioned above, maybe they'll help me "see' this better. Hope so, because this looks like the perfect thing for some Christmas gifts I want to make! Your sample look absolutely gorgeous -- love the designs and the colors you chose!

Lene'

[woolandflax]

I have one of those!!:hook I found it at a garage sale and just loved it!! I think it's black, pink, white, and turquoise. Mine is a rectangle and definately reminded me of a throw rug. I'll try and get a pic posted later when hubby gets home and hooks up my jump cable.

[vernzap]

What a great project! I'm going to have to make some pillows for my dd. She would love these. Great job!:hook

[rebeccav]

here's (http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa021498.htm) something similiar


not near as pretty, but the same technique:hook

[LanetteG]

OK I finally found them and took their picture. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/LanetteG/2005_0515mastadons51520050001.jpg

front and back
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/LanetteG/2005_0515mastadons51520050003.jpg
closeups
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/LanetteG/2005_0515mastadons51520050010.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/LanetteG/2005_0515mastadons51520050005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/LanetteG/2005_0515mastadons51520050008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/LanetteG/2005_0515mastadons51520050004.jpg
sorry there's so many but I just love these things!:manyheart

[Seneca and Scooch]

Those are so pretty! :manyheart


Coralie

[diamond]

This is so weird. I just printed out a pattern on the internet for an odd hotpad that I wanted to try for one of my swaps. And I think it's a very similiar pattern to the blue & white one shown. What do you all think?
Omak's Amazing Grid Hotpad (http://www.angelfire.com/oh/crochethook/patts/hotpad.html)

[Seneca and Scooch]

Oh My Goodness!!! It is!!! Way to go on the awesome find! :clap

Coralie

[Becks]

Lanette!!!!
Those potholders are just beautiful!!!
They look like they were made exactly the same way as mine.
Just beautiful!!!! I'm so glad you showed us the pictures.
They are so neat! I like the square pattern too. :)

And diamond, that potholder looks the same too. I wish they showed us the back. It looks like they made their squares a bit differently.

Now you all have a description in a pattern on how to do it so hopefully you can understand how to make them now. YAY!!!:cheer

[Becks]

Hey guys! Fran sent me this terrific booklet she got on clearance at Hobby Lobby which has six holiday designs using this technique!!

It is by Jeanette Crews Designs
It's called Hot Stuff For The Holidays.

I wanted to post a picture of the booklet so you could see all the cool things you can do, (once you know what you're doing! LOL!!). Maybe you might find it in a store near you.

Here's the front and back of the booklet.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/th_marvin035.jpg (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/marvin035.jpg)http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/th_marvin036.jpg (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/marvin036.jpg)

I am definately making these! I need to get me some thread! :remember

:ty so much Fran!!!!!!!:D

[diamond]

Lanette!!!!

And diamond, that potholder looks the same too. I wish they showed us the back. It looks like they made their squares a bit differently.

Now you all have a description in a pattern on how to do it so hopefully you can understand how to make them now. YAY!!!:cheer
Becks, there is a link on the page I had sent to see the back of the potholder's grid. Back (http://www.angelfire.com/oh/crochethook/images/hpback.JPG)

Original link: Pattern (http://www.angelfire.com/oh/crochethook/patts/hotpad.html)

[Becks]

Thanks, diamond! I'm such a dork! How more obvious could they have put that link to the back? And yet, I totally didn't see it??!!:lol

I made a couple of the hot pads this weekend and had to show you-all...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/th_marvin044.jpg (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/marvin044.jpg)http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/th_marvin046.jpg (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/marvin046.jpg)http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/th_marvin048.jpg (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/marvin048.jpg)http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/th_marvin050.jpg (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/marvin050.jpg)

(Please click on the pics for a larger view).
The last picture I took so you could see the size comparison between the coaster and the trivet.

I think the coaster size ones would make fantastic sachets. If you made two, put some yummy smelling potpourri in the middle and sewed it together. (The smaller heart one in the pattern book above would be a really nice Valentine gift.)

[Kimberly]

Wow! :clap Those turned out great! I love the rabbit one - very cute! Any chance to see the backs of them? :)

[Becks]

Sure, Kim, I always bombard with too many pics, :lol , so I didn't post the backs. But since you asked...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/th_marvin045.jpg (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/marvin045.jpg)http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/th_marvin047.jpg (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/marvin047.jpg)http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/th_marvin049.jpg (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/snapegrace/marvin049.jpg)

[diamond]

Those are really great!!!

[rebeccav]

beck!!! these are great:cheer :clap :cheer

[Kimberly]

Yay! Thanks Beck! I always like looking at the back of things....along with the front, the sides, the inside.....must be the anal accountant in me coming out! :D

[swapnae]

Wouldn't this be overlay crochet or surface crochet?

[mimicat]

Wow, you have made such wonderful trivets and your technique is very interesting! Thanks for sharing!:hook

[crochetfun]

Wouldn't this be overlay crochet or surface crochet?
I believe you would call it surface crochet.

[AuntyM]

I must tell you that the original pattern for this hotpad is in a 1948 Workbasket magazine! I happen to have an issue.

I have also snapped up these gems whenever I have found them at garage sales. I bought a couple of them in mint condition for 5 cents each. Can you imagine?:clap

I have made 1 of these using a solid color thread and a variegated thread, alternating the colors every other row. Not fancy, but still very pretty. It took almost a full ball of each thread. Think I did more dc-ing in each grid so it was nice and thick. :D

That is interesting all the pictures you are making with this technique! So pretty!

Interesting to note how these vintage patterns have a way of making themselves known to today's crochet artists!

[Kevspepper]

Thanks for the pics and explanation. They're all gorgeous.

[mamaoso]

This is on the order of the one I made, But I used Sugar 'n Cream.http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b285/Gato2perro/th_100_0663.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b285/Gato2perro/th_100_0664.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b285/Gato2perro/th_100_0665.jpg

[gypsy_queen]

that is really neat...:P...

...Manda...

[mudpie]

I have a pillow pattern done this way, too. One of the freebies that hang in front of the yarn at Michael's. I did find this pattern online that also shows how the stitches are placed on the grid. Maybe that will help some of you.

http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/projects/july99_crochet_2.html

[hookd1989]

That's very cool...great job!! :clap

[crochetfun]

[QUOTE=AuntyM]I must tell you that the original pattern for this hotpad is in a 1948 Workbasket magazine! I happen to have an issue.

QUOTE]
There is a pattern in Old-time Crochet Made Easy, designed by a
Maggie Petsch Chasalow, using the same technique.

[crochetfun]

http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa013198.htm
http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa021498.htm

I just stumbled onto this one. (because I was not looking for it:) )

[Becks]

:clap Thanks for finding and posting those sites on how to make them!

Make sure you check the upcoming Silent Auction for my contributions. Hee hee, I'll say no more! :D

[carrieanne]

Wow, that is really neat!

[Mom w/a Motif]

I am so happy I found this thread! And thank you, Diamond for the link to the pattern (I am a written pattern or see it in front of me to figure it out type of person). I am definitely going to make some of these, and look for that other pattern booklet, too! I have been trying different crochet techniques lately, and this is definitely different to me.

Crochetfun, I have that book, too, but I never would have made this, probably. Seeing it in 'real life' made me want to make one. :lol

:yay :yay :yay :yay
Thank you!!! I feel like I just hit the (crochet) jackpot!!
Tina

[Mom w/a Motif]

I have started one of these, I thought maybe it might be helpful for someone else to see how the 'grid' is, maybe???

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/TPryst/th_7260cd4f.jpg (http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/TPryst/7260cd4f.jpg)

I'm doing it in sage green and soft yellow for my Grandma's kitchen. It is really a lot easier than it might sound. Image is clickable to see up close, too. ;)

Tina
Timeless Creations (http://timelesscreations.blogspot.com/)

[Becks]

Tina,

what a great idea taking a picture mid-way through!:clap

That is going to be beautiful! :cheer They are a lot of fun, aren't they? And addicting! :lol

[Mom w/a Motif]

It is kind of addicting; and once you get the hang of it, you don't even need the chart. I sit there thinking about what other colors I could use in one... How much bigger I could make it, etc... :hook What a great way to use up scrap thread you have had forever (I have a whole cabinet full, believe me....!) Thanks again for posting this I never would have thought to make one, and now I love it! I even wrote about it on my blog.

Tina
Timeless Creations (http://timelesscreations.blogspot.com/)

[crochetfun]

I have a pillow pattern done this way, too. One of the freebies that hang in front of the yarn at Michael's. I did find this pattern online that also shows how the stitches are placed on the grid. Maybe that will help some of you.

http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/projects/july99_crochet_2.html
My goodness, I've been on their site a million times - never saw that pattern:)

Thanks.

[crochetfun]

I have started one of these, I thought maybe it might be helpful for someone else to see how the 'grid' is, maybe??

I'm doing it in sage green and soft yellow for my Grandma's kitchen. It is really a lot easier than it might sound.

Tina
Timeless Creations (http://timelesscreations.blogspot.com/)

That is turning out really pretty, Tina:) Be sure to post pictures when it's ready.

[dogymom]

Well this is one of the neatest things I've ever seen! Between all these posts, I just might figure it out. Thanks y'all!:hug

[crochetfun]

another one:
http://www.crochetnmore.com/ruffledhotpad.htm

[Shellbaby]

Becks, I just had to let you know how impressed I was with my pumpkin hot pad!! I just have to try one now!! It is absolutely amazing. Thanks for posting this thread. I had no idea where to find a pattern :hug

Kat

[crochetfun]

another link that might be useful



http://www.geocities.com/mwillsondesigns/index.html

[Shellbaby]

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in doing a crochet-a-long with these? I just think these are so cool and there are so many different things to do with them. If so let me know and we can start one. I already have the idea to do a turtle :turtle

[crochetfun]

Interested, definitely.:) (need to finish a couple of things first, though)

[Hooker]

A CAL would be great! But....I think I wouldn't be able to do it until after Christmas. Too many things to finish for gifts!

[dogymom]

I would be interested after Christmas, too!:hook

[Shellbaby]

Sounds great!!

[croaganey]

These are so cool! I may just have to try one of these this weekend. Thanks for sharing, Becks!

[Crocheting_MammaII]

:cheer WOW!!! :hook Great Work!!!:hook :cheer

[snbarclay]

that is so cool looking . .. even though I still don't understand how you made it:)

[Yarnster]

:bump


:hi I have a question for anyone! :hi

Do you think this pattern could be used to make a bathroom rug?

[Alosha]

As I was reading these posts this morning, I also thought of a rug. I think it would work really well. I have used the tambour crochet method for rugs in the past.
:)Alosha

[misskitty27526]

They are so pretty awwesome work. Is there a pattern to them?

Debra

[Carolina]

I believe this is the pattern you are talking about.

http://www.angelfire.com/oh/crochethook/patts/hotpad.html


Carolina

[lizc]

that is so freaking cool!

[laramars]

:cheer I just love that! Very cool way to use up thread leftovers. Or as I recently discovered, a good way to use up a bunch of embroidery floss, that I really don't think I will be using for embroidery anymore! Thanks Becks!:dragonfly

[Scorpio59]

I have two thread potholders that were crocheted by my grandmother. Yellow and white checkerboard type of box stitch type of patten <lol> I looks like she made one big square and then folded the corners into the center - sewed them together to form a doubled fabric for the potholder. I love them (they're not in use- just for keeps).

[CrochetMonkey]

Wow, that is really awesome. Thanks so much for taking the time to explain how it was done. All the great photos are really helpful too! I'm not sure that I quite understand having so many extra chains at the beginning before making your first dc, but I am definitely going to give this mesh pattern a try.

[Becks]

I think you need five chains at the end of your chain, (besides the amount needed to ensure you have the proper number of "squares" needed for your grid).

Five chains will ensure that it will form a 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 grid square as you double crochet in the 4th chain away from your hook.

Then, finish the row with five extra chains so when you begin the next row above, you double crochet in the 4th chain and this makes a square again.

(I'm just horrible at explaining things!) :lol