Crochet Potholder Pattern – Thermal Stitch

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If you are looking for a super dense and thick crochet stitch to make a thick crochet potholder then look no further. This pattern consists of Thermal Single Crochets and is by far the best stitch (that I know of) you can use to make a potholder. It’s very dense and thick and is basically double the thickness of a normal single crochet. Which makes it perfect for crochet potholders or anything that needs that extra thickness.

About Thermal Stitch

Thermal Single Crochets are single crochets that are worked into the back loops of current and previous rows at the same time. That’s what creates the thickness.

There are also half double crochets and double crochets that can be used as Thermal stitches. Take a look at my Extra Thick Potholder and Thermal Stitch Crochet Potholder where I used half double crochet thermal stitches in different ways.

Difficulty

Easy/intermediate.

The Thermal stitch is not hard but can be a little tricky. When trying this stitch for the first time, the trickiest part is to find the right stitches that you need to crochet into.

If you’re not familiar with the Thermal stitch it might take a little practice to master it. And because you need to work into the current and previous rows at the same time, you will need to pay extra attention to the stitches in both rows.

In the beginning, when practising the thermal stitch it’s quite easy to unintentionally skip stitches or work in the same stitch twice. The best way is to count the stitches in every row to make sure you haven’t skipped any.

And after you’ve practised this stitch you can also add some contrasting colours to your potholder to make it more unique. Take a look at my crochet potholder pattern with stripes of different colours where I show how to change colours and carry yarn inside the thermal stitches. That way you won’t need to cut the yarn everytime you change to another colour.

Crochet Thick Potholder – Free Pattern and Video Tutorial

Below is an updated version of this pattern for medium worsted #4/10ply cotton yarn.

Please scroll down for the free pattern or get the ad-free & print-friendly version with step by step photo and written instructions for a small fee from my Etsy or Ravelry stores.

Or you can get all three versions of the Thermal Stitch Potholder as a bundle from Etsy here.

This post may include affiliate links, view my disclosure policy for details.

Material:

Yarn: any 100% Cotton (medium worsted weight #4/10ply) approx. 119yds/109m.

Alternative 100% cotton yarn options: Lion Brand Pima Cotton Yarn or 24/7 Cotton yarn.

Hook: H-8 (5mm)

Yarn needle

Scissors

Dimensions:

This potholder measures 17cmx17cm (6.5”x6.5”)

Abbreviations:

Ch = chain

SC = single crochet

St = stitch

Th st = Thermal stitch 

Special Stitches

Thermal stitch: Insert your hook into the back loop of the next stitch plus the parallel loop on the row below. Work a single crochet as normal through both of those loops. (Watch the video demonstration below for visual guidance)

Crochet Potholder Written Pattern

Ch 24 (or any number if you like to make it bigger or smaller)

Row 1: Sc in the second chain from the hook and across (23 total throughout the pattern). Ch 1 and turn it in a way that you still see the same side you were just working on, see picture below.

Row 2: Insert the hook into the back loop of the very first stitch and into the parallel loop from the chain row (refer to picture). Work a single crochet as normal through both of those loops. That’s one Thermal Stitch. Continue working Th sts into every stitch across the row. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 3: Th St in the first and across the row. Ch 1 and turn.

Rows 4-46 (or until you reach the desired size): Repeat Row 3.

Always work a single crochet into both, the back loop and the parallel loop from the previous row below.

Crochet Potholder Video Tutorial

Update: This is a NEW VIDEO with more detailed demonstration of the thermal stitch and potholder pattern from start to finish. I am using a 10 ply Cotton yarn (medium worsted weight #4) and 5mm hook. In this video I’m showing a different way from the written pattern of finishing up (last row + loop), which I personally prefer. You can choose which one you like better.☺️

https://youtu.be/pVEwIKCuGV0

Last Row Update: Check the video for a different way of finishing. You can skip the first part and get straight to the part with the loop (at 4:40). Or continue with the written pattern below.

Last Row: The only difference here is that this time instead of inserting your hook into the back loop only- insert your hook under both loops (as you would normally work a SC) plus the parallel loop on row below. You’ll have four loops on your hook (see picture below). Work a SC and repeat across the row. This will create a nice finish for your pothoder!

Loop: After you finish your last row, chain 15 to make a loop.

Work a SC into the same stitch. Then do a couple of slip stitches along the side to even out the finish. Weave in ends.

Done!

Do you like this crochet potholder pattern?

Let me know in the comments what you think of this pattern! Did you like the Thermal Stitch? What else would you make using this stitch?

If you would like to print this pattern in a PDF format or save it to your computer to have all patterns in one place you can get a printable version of this pattern from my Etsy shop here or get a bundle of three patterns (all three variations of the Thermal Stitch).

Take a look at the Half Double Crochet Thermal Stitch Potholder – I really like the texture of it!

And another variation of this pattern is the Thermal Stripes Potholder where I show how to carry yarn and change colours when using the Thermal Stitch.

More Free Crochet Potholder Patterns

• Houndstooth Crochet Potholder Pattern
• Single Crochet Cross Stitch Potholder
• Crochet Christmas Tree Potholder
• 16 Free Crochet Potholder Patterns

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