Crochet Gingerbread Man Potholder Pattern

Bring holiday warmth into your kitchen with this charming, double-thick gingerbread person potholder. This project uses basic circular construction for the body, making it a great pattern for intermediate beginners.

By joining two flat discs together, you create a thick, heat-resistant pad that protects your hands and counters while adding festive decor to your home.

Supplies Needed

• Yarn: Medium weight (Category 4) or DK weight (Category 3) 100% cotton yarn in four colors:

  • Color A: Medium Brown (Gingerbread body)

  • Color B: Cream/White (Icing details & border)

  • Color C: Pink (Cheeks)

  • Color D: Black (Eyes/Mouth)

• Hook: 3.0 mm (US C) or size needed to obtain a tight gauge

• Tools: Tapestry needle for assembly, scissors, and stitch markers

Key Terms & Techniques (US Terminology)

• Ch: Chain

• Sc: Single crochet

• Hdc: Half double crochet

• Dc: Double crochet

• Sl St: Slip stitch

• Inc: Increase (work two stitches into the same stitch)

• Sc3tog: Single crochet three stitches together (insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up loop x3. Yarn over, pull through all 4 loops).

• Magic Ring (MR): An adjustable yarn loop used to start working in the round.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. The Potholder Base (Create 2)

You will make two identical circles using the brown yarn to form the thick front and back layers.

Using Color A (Brown), start with a Magic Ring.

• Round 1: Chain 2 (does not count as a stitch here or throughout). Work 12 double crochets into the ring. 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 close. (24 stitches)

• Round 3: Chain 2. *Work 2 double crochets in the first stitch, then 1 double crochet in the next stitch. Repeat from * around. Slip stitch to close. (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 * around. Slip stitch to close. (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 * around. Slip stitch to close. (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 * around. Slip stitch to close. (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 * around. Slip stitch to close. (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 * around. Slip stitch to close. (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 * around. Slip stitch to close. (108 stitches) Cut the yarn and secure the ends.

2. White Icing Trim

This wavy strip creates the classic rick-rack icing look.

Using Color B (White), chain 41.

• Row 1: Starting in the second chain from your hook, single crochet across the first 3 chains. *Work 2 single crochets in the next chain, single crochet in each of the next 3 chains, decrease across the next 3 chains using the sc3tog technique, then single crochet in each of the next 3 chains. Repeat from * three times total. Finish the row by working 2 single crochets in the next chain, single crochet in the next 3 chains, and sc3tog over the final 3 chains. (36 stitches) Fasten off, ensuring you leave a long yarn tail for sewing later.

3. Facial Features

• Eyes & Cheeks (Create 2 in White, 2 in Pink): Using either Color B (White) for eyes or Color C (Pink) for cheeks, form a Magic Ring.

  • Round 1: Chain 1, work 11 half double crochets into the ring. Slip stitch to join. (11 stitches)

  • Round 2: Chain 1. Work 2 half double crochets into every stitch around. Slip stitch to join. (22 stitches) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for assembly.

• Pupils (Create 2): Using Color D (Black), form a Magic Ring.

  • Round 1: Chain 1, work 6 single crochets into the ring. Slip stitch to join. (6 stitches) Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Assembly & Finishing

Step 1: Embroider the Face

Take one of your brown circles to use as the front face.

1. Cheeks: Position the pink circles on the lower half of the face (spanning roughly rounds 5 to 8) and sew them down.

2. Eyes: Stitch the white circles just above the center point, nestled slightly between the cheeks.

3. Pupils: Secure the black circles directly onto the white eyes.

4. Mouth & Trim: Sew the wavy white icing strip along the bottom curve. Use a length of black yarn to surface-stitch a smile stretching from cheek to cheek between rounds 6 and 7. Secure all loose ends on the back of the disc.

Step 2: Combine the Layers & Add Hanging Loop

1. Stack the decorated face disc directly on top of the plain backing disc, ensuring the right sides face outward. Locate a stitch at the very top center of the head.

2. Insert your hook through the inner loops (the back loop of the front disc and the front loop of the back disc) of both pieces. Pull up a loop of Color B (White) and slip stitch to join.

3. Hanging Loop: Chain 20, then slip stitch back into that same starting spot.

4. Joining the Borders: Continue around the entire perimeter of the circle, working a slip stitch through the inner loops of both layers to seal the potholder closed. Keep your tension relaxed so the edges don’t pucker.

5. Finishing the Loop: When you return to the top, work single crochets directly over the chain-20 loop (about 25 stitches, or enough to fully cover the chain core).

6. Slip stitch to the base to secure, cut your yarn, and weave in the final ends.