Crochet Christmas Pudding Potholder

This festive potholder brings the classic look of a traditional British Christmas pudding to your holiday kitchen. The design features a double-layered, circular brown base representing the rich pudding cake, topped with a wavy cream-colored applique mimicking a poured brandy cream sauce.

Sprigs of vibrant green holly leaves and bright red berries complete the iconic holiday look. Because it is double-layered and uses dense cotton yarn, it is thick enough to protect your hands and countertops from hot dishes.

Supplies Needed

• Hook Size: 3.0 mm (US C/2 or UK 11)

• Yarn Type: DK weight (Category 3, light) 100% cotton yarn.

• Colors Needed: Dark Brown (Pudding base), Off-White/Cream (Brandy Sauce), Bright Red (Berries), and Lime Green (Leaves).

• Tools: Tapestry needle for assembly and a pair of scissors.

Finished Measurements & Gauge

• Diameter: 6.1 inches (15.5 cm)

• Gauge: 6 rounds of double crochet should measure 4 inches (10 cm) across.

Crochet Terminology (US Abbreviations)

• Ch: Chain

• Sl St: Slip stitch

• Sc: Single crochet

• Hdc: Half double crochet

• Dc: Double crochet

• Tr: Treble crochet

• Inc (Increase): Put 2 stitches into the same stitch from the previous row.

• MC: Magic Circle / Magic Ring

• BLO: Back loop only

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. The Pudding Base (Make 2)

You will need to make two identical brown circles. One will be the decorated front, and the other will serve as the plain backing to double the thickness.

Using the Dark Brown yarn:

• Round 1: Create a magic circle. Chain 2 (this does not count as a stitch here or anywhere else in the pattern). Work 12 double crochets into the circle. Slip stitch to the first double crochet to close the round. (12 stitches)

• Round 2: Chain 2. Work 2 double crochets into every stitch around. Slip stitch to join. (24 stitches)

• Round 3: Chain 2. Work 2 double crochets in the first stitch, then 1 double crochet in the next. Repeat from * to * all the way around. Slip stitch to join. (36 stitches)

• Round 4: Chain 2. Work 1 double crochet in each of the next 2 stitches, then 2 double crochets in the following stitch. Repeat from * to * around. Slip stitch to join. (48 stitches)

• Round 5: Chain 2. Work 2 double crochets in the first stitch, then 1 double crochet in each of the next 3 stitches. Repeat from * to * around. Slip stitch to join. (60 stitches)

• Round 6: Chain 2. Work 1 double crochet in each of the next 4 stitches, then 2 double crochets in the following stitch. Repeat from * to * around. Slip stitch to join. (72 stitches)

• Round 7: Chain 2. Work 2 double crochets in the first stitch, then 1 double crochet in each of the next 5 stitches. Repeat from * to * around. Slip stitch to join. (84 stitches)

• Round 8: Chain 2. Work 1 double crochet in each of the next 6 stitches, then 2 double crochets in the following stitch. Repeat from * to * around. Slip stitch to join. (96 stitches)

• Round 9: Chain 2. Work 2 double crochets in the first stitch, then 1 double crochet in each of the next 7 stitches. Repeat from * to * around. Slip stitch to join. (108 stitches)

• Cut the yarn, fasten off, and weave the loose ends into the back of your circles.

2. The Brandy Cream Sauce Applique

This piece creates the dripping icing effect that sits on the top half of the pudding.

Using the Off-White/Cream yarn:

• Foundation: Chain 22.

• Round 1: Start in the 3rd chain from your hook. Work 1 double crochet in each of the next 18 chains. In the very last chain, work 6 double crochets to round the corner. Now, work along the opposite underside of your starting chain: make 1 double crochet in each of the next 18 loops, and put 5 double crochets into the final loop. Slip stitch to the first stitch to join. (48 stitches)

• Round 2: Chain 2. Work 2 double crochets in the first stitch, 1 double crochet in each of the next 18 stitches, and 2 double crochets into each of the next 6 stitches. Then, work 1 double crochet in each of the next 18 stitches, and finish by working 2 double crochets into each of the remaining 5 stitches. Slip stitch to join. (60 stitches)

• Round 3 (Creating the Drips):

  • Top Curve: Chain 1, skip 1 stitch, slip stitch 2, single crochet 2, half double crochet 1. In the next stitch, work [1 half double crochet and 1 double crochet] together. Double crochet 2, treble crochet 4, double crochet 2. In the next stitch, work [1 double crochet and 1 half double crochet] together. Half double crochet 1, single crochet 2, slip stitch 6.

  • Drip 1: Chain 10. In the 3rd chain from your hook, double crochet 1. Double crochet 4 down the chain, half double crochet 1, slip stitch 1 (leave the last chain unworked). Back on the main edge, slip stitch 2. Into the next stitches, work [1 single crochet and 1 half double crochet] together, then [1 half double crochet and 1 double crochet] together, followed by a double crochet increase.

  • Drip 2: Chain 10. Starting in the 3rd chain from the hook, double crochet 1, then double crochet 7. Work 2 half double crochets down the side of the previous increase stitch. Skip 1 stitch on the main body, slip stitch 1, single crochet 2.

  • Drip 3: Chain 14. Starting in the 4th chain from the hook, treble crochet 1, treble crochet 3, double crochet 4, half double crochet 3. Work 1 half double crochet into the side of the previous single crochet. Slip stitch 1 on the main body, half double crochet 1, then work [1 half double crochet and 1 double crochet] together, followed by [1 double crochet and 1 half double crochet] together, and slip stitch 1.

  • Drip 4: Chain 6. Starting in the 3rd chain from the hook, double crochet 1, double crochet 2, half double crochet 1. Skip 1 stitch on the main body, slip stitch 2, half double crochet 1.

  • Drip 5: Chain 10. Starting in the 4th chain from the hook, treble crochet 1, treble crochet 3, double crochet 3. Work 1 half double crochet into the side of the last half double crochet. On the main body, single crochet 2, half double crochet 1, double crochet increase 1, half double crochet 1.

  • Drip 6: Chain 14. Starting in the 4th chain from the hook, treble crochet 1, treble crochet 3, double crochet 4, half double crochet 3. Work 1 half double crochet down the side of the last half double crochet. On the main body, slip stitch 3.

  • Drip 7: Chain 18. Starting in the 4th chain from the hook, treble crochet 1, treble crochet 4, double crochet 5, half double crochet 5. Work 1 half double crochet back into the same stitch as your last slip stitch. Single crochet 1, slip stitch 3.

  • Drip 8: Chain 10. Starting in the 3rd chain from the hook, double crochet 1, double crochet 4, half double crochet 1, single crochet 2. Work 1 half double crochet back into the same stitch as your last slip stitch.

  • Finishing: Single crochet 1 on the main body, slip stitch 4, and join with a slip stitch to the start.

• Cut yarn, leaving a very long tail for sewing this piece onto the base.

3. Holly Leaves & Berries

• Leaves (Make 2): Using Lime Green yarn, crochet two standard medium-sized textured holly leaf appliques with pointed edges.

• Berries (Make 3): Using Bright Red yarn, crochet three large spherical or flat-circle berry appliques.

Final Assembly & Border

1. Attach the Details: Position the cream-colored brandy sauce applique onto the upper section of one brown circle. Use the long yarn tail and a tapestry needle to neatly sew it in place. Next, arrange the two green leaves and three red berries at the center top of the cream sauce and stitch them down securely.

2. Combine the Layers: Place your decorated front circle directly on top of the plain brown backing circle, ensuring the right sides face outward on both sides.

3. Join the Edges: Attach the Dark Brown yarn into the back loops only (BLO) of both layers at the top center of the potholder. Slip stitch through the inner loops of both circles all the way around the outer perimeter to seal the layers together.

4. Add the Hanging Loop: When you return to your starting stitch at the top, chain 25. Turn your work, skip the first chain, and slip stitch into the next stitch to secure the chain into a loop. Chain 1, turn your work back around, and fill the loop by working 25 single crochets directly over the chain space.

5. Fasten off your yarn, pull it through, and use your tapestry needle to cleanly hide all remaining tails inside the layers of the potholder. Your holiday kitchen decoration is complete!