27 Pot Holders Patterns to Make!

Pot holders, hot pads, potholders, oven mitts — whatever you call them, you probably use them frequently to protect your hands from hot kitchen items. Here are 27 pot holder patterns to make from the traditional to the more trendy double-handed pot holders. 

These pot holders include a variety of shapes, size, and textiles so you’re sure to find one that works best for you! This is a list of super fun pot holder patterns with instructions you can print out for free and a few you can buy that are super creative.

RELATED:  17 Hot Pad Patterns to Crochet and Sew

Image Credit: Cast Iron Handle Covers on Etsy

What is a pot holder?

Wondering what a pot holder is?  A pot holder is a a thick piece of material, as a quilted or woven pad, used in handling hot pots and dishes. You can use an insulated batting like Insulbright for the inside of the pot holders to protect yourself from getting burned.

Free Pot Holder Patterns

Just a heads up, I’ve included a few affiliate links for these sewing potholders and oven mitts for your convenience. Click here for disclosure policy.  Which means a few links below help support this free site as I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Most are completely free but I did find a few that I find for free.

These make great homemade gifts and I’ve added a list of seasonally-themed potholders for you to enjoy.

1.  Chicken Scratch Embroidered Hot Pads ~ Chicken scratch is an amazing embroidery technique that will make the most stunning hot pads ever. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here:  Chicken Scratch Embroidered Hot Pads

2. Fiesta Potholder Tutorial ~ The patchwork panel is perfect for mixing and matching fabrics from a collection or fabric range, and could be made from pre-cuts such as charm squares and jelly roll strips. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: Fiesta Potholder Tutorial

3. Circle Pocket Pot Holder ~ Make this easy sew pot holder in 4 easy steps in about an hour. It’s easier than it looks. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: Circle Pocket Pot Holder

4. Square Pot Holders with Hand Pockets ~ Ashley made these pot holders with hand pockets for her children as it’s tough for them to grasp a hot pan and keep it pinched around the edge of whatever they are moving or carrying. So these little pockets are perfect for them! Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: Square Pot Holders with Hand Pockets

5. Denim Pocket Pot Holders and Mitts ~ Recycle your old jeans and create these fun and functional Denim Pocket Pot Holders and Mitts. Watch the step-by-step video demonstration, download the free pattern instructions to make yours. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: Denim Pocket Pot Holder Pattern

6. Large Pocket Potholder Tutorial ~ This folded pot holder with recipe cards and spatula makes a great gift that’s functional and perfect for someone who loves to cook and bake. You’ll need 1/4 yard of fabric, batting, and insulbright. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: Large Pocket Potholder Tutorial

7. Easy Pocket Potholder Tutorial ~ You have 2 options when sewing these potholders. You can make a block first or if you’re in a hurry or just want a simpler project, you can just use a square of any pretty fabric for the front of the potholder. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: Easy Pocket Potholder Tutorial

8.  Easy potholder with slip-on hand grips ~ This is an easy grib sandwich method of construction where you pile up the layers, sandwich them wrong side out, sew around the square and turn it right side out. No need for bias tape trim. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: Sandwich Hand Grips Pot Holder Pattern

If you’d prefer to watch a video then you can check out these Hand Grip Potholder tutorial here.

9.  Make a Homemade Pot Holder with Rob Appell ~ How to make triangle pot holders for one handed gripping using 1 pack of 10″ squares of fabric. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: Make a Homemade Pot Holder with Rob Appell

10. Cast Iron Skillet Handle Cover Tutorial ~  In nine pictured steps Cat shows us how to sew this insulated skillet handle cover.  I realize it’s not technically a pot holder… but it holds a pot!  {giggle}  So I couldn’t resist adding it for you.  A crochet version is father down in the post. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: Cast Iron Skillet Handle Cover Tutorial

Here’s a quilted handle cover pattern that’s super colorful and fun.

11. Easy Fabric Bowl Potholder Tutorial ~ Protect hands and furniture from hot soup, chili, and oatmeal with a soup bowl cozy that’s as cute as it is functional. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: Easy Fabric Bowl Potholder Tutorial

Funny Pot Holders

Pot holders are probably one of the most useful, but least appreciate kitchen accessories. Not only will they protect your hands from burning, they can also decorate your kitchen.

12.  Happy Camper Pot Holder Pattern ~ A perfect handmade gift for those who love to be on the road in their RV.  The curtained window, awning and door are appliqued, and the tire is a dimensional embellishment. Buy Pattern Here: Happy Camper Pot Holder Pattern, $2.49

Here’s another Happy Camper RV pot holder pattern for $12.99 if this is a pattern you enjoy making.

13.  Who Owl Pot Holders Pattern ~ These darling pot holder patterns are both quick, easy and functional! The finished product forms a pocket in the front so your hands are protected from heat and flames from Annie’s Craft Store. Buy the Pattern Here: Who Owl Pot Holders Pattern, $8.99

14. Bear Claw Hot Pad Pattern ~ Use felt, insulbright, thin batting and interfacing to make these animal bear claw shaped hot pads. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: Bear Claw Hot Pad Pattern

Double Pot Holder Patterns

Pot holders are a great way to protect your hands from hot dishes and pans. Click any link below to learn how to make double pot holders.

15.  Pleated Apron With Built In Hot Pads – This brilliant idea incorporates an apron and double hot pads into one project.  That way, you never set your hot pads down, and they never get lost when you need it most! Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: Pleated Apron With Built In Hot Pads

16.  How to Sew a Double Pot Holder ~ Protect your hands with this cute double pot holder. You can conveniently hang it on your oven door so you’ll never have to search for hot pads again. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: How to Sew a Double Pot Holder

Crochet Pot Holder Patterns

If you’re going to set a hot pot or pan right out of the oven or off the stove on it use Cotton yarn. If it’s for decorative purposes or just for warm things,  Acrylic yarn is fine.

17.  Crochet Cast Iron Handle Covers ~ Even during long cooking sessions, these handles hold up to the heat and keep your hands protected. That’s because these cast iron handle covers are made with a double thickness of 100% cotton yarn. Buy Pattern Here:  Cast Iron Handle Covers on Etsy

18.  Crochet Cast Iron Handle Cover Pattern ~  You can make several of the Cast Iron Handle Covers in an hour. The Pot Holder works up in under an hour as well and they both have simple repeats, so this is a great Netflix project.  You can buy the PDF pattern but you don’t need to as you can print off her instructions for free. Free Pattern Here:  Cast Iron Handle Cover Patterns

Silicone Pot Holders

19.  If you’d rather buy your pot holders and hot pads instead of making them, then you’re in luck!  I found several silicone pot holders on Amazon with different shapes and purposes for your kitchen.

• Decorative Silicone Circles
• Flower Shaped Silicone Pot Holders
• Silicone Hot Handle Holder
• Modern Outlined Silicone Pot Holders
• Silicone Assist Handle Holder
• Silicone Square Pot Holders
• Silicone Pinch Grips Pot Holders

Holiday Pot Holder Patterns

If you like to decorate your home for the holidays and seasons or looking for a seasonal homemade gift to make then these pot holder patterns are for you, girl.  They are functional, protect, and look super cute!

February Pot Holder Patterns

20.  DIY Heart-Shaped Pot holders ~ This is an amazing homemade gift ideas if especially for your friends who love to cook and bake. This pattern requires basic sewing skills and is easy to make. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: DIY Heart-Shaped Pot holders

March Pot Holder Patterns

21.  Four Leaf Clover Crochet Pot Holder ~ Sara has done it again with this St. Patrick’s Day themed pot holder. This time she’s even included a video on how to make these homemade pot holders. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here:  4 Leaf Clover Crochet Pot Holder 

Sara also has a super impressive Sunburst pot holder pattern that you might enjoy for the Spring if the traditional four leaf clover isn’t your style.

22.  Mardi Gras Crochet Pot Holder ~ If you live in New Orleans or just love to celebrate Mardi Gras in March then this free pattern is for you. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here:  Mardi Gras Crochet Pot Holder

Summer Pot Holder Patterns

23. Chicken Crochet Pot Holder Pattern ~ Pictured crochet instructions on how to make a chicken shaped pot holder.  Sara says this is an easy pattern. Buy Pattern Here:  Chicken Crochet Pot Holder Pattern

July Pot Holder

24. Crochet Stars Pot Holder Pattern ~ A used pattern with a finished size of 11″ x 11 ½” sold on Artfire. Buy Pattern Here:  Crochet Patriotic Stars Pot Holder Pattern, $7.93

Fall or November Pot Holder

25.  Lattice Pie Pot Holder Free Crochet Pattern ~ This crochet pie pattern is so adorable and would make a great handmade gift to make in the fall. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here:   Lattice Pie Pot Holder Free Crochet Pattern

Sarah also has the cutest Turkey crochet pot holder with pictured instructions and a video on how to make.

26. Fusible Fleece Patchwork Acorn Pot holder Pattern ~ This little project is the perfect addition to your fall baking. It’s also a perfect hostess gift for your Thanksgiving family gatherings. Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: Acorn Pot holder Pattern

If you want a crochet option then you can also check out these free Acorn Crochet Pot Holder patterns.

Christmas Pot Holders

27. Christmas Star Pot Holder Crochet Pattern ~  This makes a great homemade pot holder gift for the holiday season for family and friends.  It’s an impressive and double chick in the middle where the heat is at it’s hottest for extra protection.

Free Pot Holder Pattern Here: Christmas Star Pot Holder Crochet Pattern

Thanks Ladies!  I just adore these pictured tutorials. Feel free to share your I was featured on Tip Junkie badge on your blog, Facebook, or Instagram. You earned it! {knuckle bumps} I’m honored to have the opportunity to feature your creative DIY ideas and homemade projects.

Difference between pot holder and hot pad?

The difference between pot holders and hot pads can be the number of layers or what region you live. {wink}

Pot holders have a thick piece of material, quilted or woven pad, used in handling hot pots and dishes.  Pot holders can have multiple layers and a pocket for your hand to grasp the pot.

Hot pads are single, smaller-shaped pieces that can be placed on the table or countertop and double as a heating pad to protect any surface from the hot pans, pots, or dishes.

What is the use of pot holder?

A pot holder is a piece of textile (fabric, quilted, insulated, crochet) used to cover the hand and protect the fingers when holding hot kitchen cooking equipment, like hot pots, pans, and dishes. They are frequently made of polyester or cotton or silicone.

What is the size of a pot holder?

Typical finished sizes for pot holders that are easiest to use are about 8” by 8” for a square potholder and about 8” by 10” for a rectangle pot holders. When making potholders, the backing fabric should be about 1” larger than your potholder top.

More hot pad patterns here…

17 Hot Pad Patterns to Crochet and Sew

Plus, check out these free sewing patterns…

15 DIY Casserole Carriers

More Kitchen Tutorials:

• 10 Summer Kitchen Gadgets You Never Knew You Needed
• 16 Best Kitchen Organization Ideas
• 23 Tote Bag Templates

What Did I Miss?

I’d love to know what free patterns you are looking for and want to make.  Leave a comment below. I also take requests, so if you’re looking for something specific let me know in the comments.