Crochet Spring Garden Potholder

The Spring Garden Potholder is a charming and practical kitchen accessory crafted using the flat tapestry crochet technique. By working with two contrasting colors of durable medium-weight cotton yarn, this project creates a thick, heat-resistant fabric ideal for handling hot dishes.

The pattern features a delicate, vintage-inspired garden motif running through the center, completed by a clean border and a built-in hanging loop for easy storage.

Project Overview & Materials

Hook Size: 3.5 mm (US E/4)
Yarn: Medium/Aran weight (Category 4) 100% cotton yarn in two contrasting shades: Color A (Main/Background color, approx. 48 yards) and Color B (Pattern color, approx. 21 yards).
Final Measurements: Approximately 6.2 inches wide by 6.3 inches tall.
Gauge: 22.5 single crochets over 21 rows equals a 4-inch square.

Crucial Pattern Notes

Stitch Count: Every single row maintains a strict count of 34 stitches.
Turning: At the end of every row, work a single chain and turn your piece. This turning chain does not count as your first stitch; always work your first single crochet directly into the last stitch of the previous row.
Color Carrying: Carry the unused yarn color along the top of your previous stitches, encasing it as you crochet over it with your current color.
Color Changes: Change colors seamlessly on the final yarn-over of the stitch before the new color is needed.
Sides: All odd-numbered rows represent the Right Side (RS) of the fabric, while even-numbered rows represent the Wrong Side (WS).

Step-by-Step Row Instructions

To begin, use Color A to create a foundation chain of 35 chains.

Row 1 (RS): Starting in the second chain from your hook, single crochet 5 times with Color A. Switch to Color B for 1 stitch. Change back to Color A for 6 stitches, then Color B for 1 stitch. Crochet 9 stitches with Color A, 1 stitch with Color B, 6 stitches with Color A, 1 stitch with Color B, and finish with 4 stitches in Color A.
Row 2 (WS): Work 4 stitches in Color A, 1 in Color B, 6 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 8 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 6 in Color A, 1 in Color B, and 5 in Color A.
Row 3 (RS): Work 4 stitches in Color A, 1 in Color B, and 4 in Color A. Next, alternate by working [2 stitches in Color B, then 1 in Color A] a total of two times. Follow this with 2 stitches in Color B, 5 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 6 in Color A, and 4 in Color A.
Row 4 (WS): Work 3 stitches in Color A, 3 in Color B, 5 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 5 in Color A, 3 in Color B, 2 in Color A, 3 in Color B, 4 in Color A, 1 in Color B, and 4 in Color A.
Row 5 (RS): Work 4 stitches in Color A, 1 in Color B, 5 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 6 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 4 in Color A, 5 in Color B, and 2 in Color A.
Row 6 (WS): Work 2 stitches in Color A, 5 in Color B, 4 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 4 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 4 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 3 in Color A, 1 in Color B, and 4 in Color A.
Row 7 (RS): Work 4 stitches in Color A, 1 in Color B, 2 in Color A, 3 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 4 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 3 in Color B, 3 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 4 in Color A, 5 in Color B, and 2 in Color A.
Row 8 (WS): Work 2 stitches in Color A. Next, alternate by working [1 stitch in Color B, then 1 in Color A] a total of two times. Follow this with 1 stitch in Color B, 4 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 6 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 4 in Color A, 1 in Color B, and 5 in Color A.
Row 9 (RS): Work 5 stitches in Color A, 2 in Color B, 3 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 2 in Color A, 3 in Color B, 4 in Color A, 3 in Color B, 2 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 5 in Color A, 1 in Color B, and 1 in Color A.
Row 10 (WS): Work 9 stitches in Color A, 5 in Color B, 3 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 2 in Color A. Then alternate [2 stitches in Color B, 1 in Color A] two times. Finish with 2 stitches in Color B and 2 in Color A.
Row 11 (RS): Repeat the sequence of [2 stitches in Color A, 3 in Color B] two times. Follow with 2 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 5 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 2 in Color B, and 8 in Color A.
Row 12 (WS): Work 8 stitches in Color A, 1 in Color B. Then alternate [2 stitches in Color A, 1 in Color B] two times. Continue with 6 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 3 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 1 in Color B, and 3 in Color A.
Row 13 (RS): Work 1 stitch in Color A, 2 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 4 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 6 in Color A, 11 in Color B, and 6 in Color A.
Row 14 (WS): Work 4 stitches in Color A, 15 in Color B, 3 in Color A, 3 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 4 in Color B, 1 in Color A, and 3 in Color B.
Row 15 (RS): Work 3 stitches in Color A, 1 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 8 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 9 in Color A, 1 in Color B, and 6 in Color A.
Row 16 (WS): Work 5 stitches in Color A, 2 in Color B, 4 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 4 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 6 in Color A, 3 in Color B, 2 in Color A, 3 in Color B, and 2 in Color A.
Row 17 (RS): Work 2 stitches in Color A. Then alternate [2 stitches in Color B, 1 in Color A] twice. Follow with 2 in Color B, 6 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 4 in Color A, 3 in Color B, 4 in Color A, 1 in Color B, and 5 in Color A.
Row 18 (WS): Work 4 stitches in Color A, 2 in Color B, 3 in Color A, 5 in Color B, 3 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 8 in Color A, 2 in Color B, and 5 in Color A.
Row 19 (RS): Work 5 stitches in Color A, 1 in Color B, 9 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 3 in Color A, 7 in Color B, 3 in Color A, 1 in Color B, and 4 in Color A.
Row 20 (WS): Work 4 stitches in Color A, 1 in Color B, 2 in Color A, 9 in Color B, 2 in Color A, 1 in Color B, and 15 in Color A.
Row 21 (RS): Work 13 stitches in Color A, 3 in Color B, 2 in Color A, 9 in Color B, 2 in Color A, 3 in Color B, and 2 in Color A.
Row 22 (WS): Work 3 stitches in Color A, 2 in Color B, 2 in Color A, 4 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 4 in Color B, 2 in Color A, 2 in Color B, and 14 in Color A.
Row 23 (RS): Work 8 stitches in Color A, 2 in Color B, 5 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 2 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 3 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 2 in Color A, 2 in Color B, and 4 in Color A.
Row 24 (WS): Work 5 stitches in Color A, 2 in Color B, 9 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 6 in Color A, 3 in Color B, 2 in Color A, 2 in Color B, and 3 in Color A.
Row 25 (RS): Work 2 stitches in Color A, 2 in Color B, 3 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 8 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 7 in Color A, 2 in Color B, and 6 in Color A.
Row 26 (WS): Work 7 stitches in Color A, 2 in Color B, 5 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 3 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 6 in Color A, 1 in Color B, 3 in Color A, 2 in Color B, and 2 in Color A.
Row 27 (RS): Work 2 stitches in Color A, 1 in Color B, 4 in Color A, 7 in Color B, 5 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 3 in Color A, 2 in Color B, and 8 in Color A.
Row 28 (WS): Work 9 stitches in Color A, 2 in Color B, 1 in Color A, 2 in Color B, 10 in Color A, 8 in Color B, and 2 in Color A.
Row 29 (RS): Work 5 stitches in Color B, 4 in Color A, 3 in Color B, 9 in Color A, 3 in Color B, and 10 in Color A.
Row 30 (WS): Work 11 stitches in Color A, 1 in Color B, 9 in Color A, 3 in Color B, 8 in Color A, and 2 in Color B.
Row 31 (RS): Work 1 stitch in Color B, 10 in Color A, 2 in Color B, and finish the remaining 21 stitches in Color A.
Row 32 (WS): Work all 34 stitches using Color A. Do not drop your yarn; you are now ready to begin the border from the top corner.

Adding the Border and Hanging Loop

Setup: Cut Color B and secure it, leaving only Color A attached. Chain 1 and turn your work so the Right Side (RS) is facing you. Your yarn is now positioned at the top right corner.
Top Edge & Loop: Work 17 single crochets across the top edge. To build the hanging loop, chain 15, then slip stitch back into the last single crochet you just made. Chain 1, turn to face the wrong side of the loop, and work 18 single crochets directly into the loop space. Slip stitch back into that same base single crochet to secure it. Complete the top edge by working 17 more single crochets to the corner, then chain 1 to turn the corner.
Remaining Sides: Work down the left edge by placing 32 single crochets evenly along the row ends, then chain 1. Work 34 single crochets along the bottom foundation chain, then chain 1. Work 32 single crochets up the right side edge, chain 1, and finish by joining with a slip stitch into your very first border stitch.
Finishing: Cut your yarn, pull it through to fasten off, and carefully weave in all remaining loose tails with your tapestry needle. Your potholder is finished and ready for use!