Crochet Pig Potholder

This charming tapestry crochet potholder features a delightful pig motif embedded into a sturdy, dense fabric. Worked using the tapestry crochet technique, both yarn colors are carried along throughout the piece, resulting in a reversible, thick fabric that is perfect for protecting surfaces from heat.

Materials & Specifications

Hook Size: 3.0 mm (US C/2)
Yarn: DK weight cotton yarn in two contrasting shades:
- Color A (Background color): ~62 yards (56 meters)
- Color B (Pig design & accent color): ~39 yards (35 meters)
Finished Dimensions: Approximately 6.7” wide by 7.3” tall (17 cm x 18.5 cm)
Gauge: 28 single crochets and 26 rows equal 4 inches (10 cm) in tapestry single crochet.

Key Techniques & Guidelines

Stitch Style: Every row of the body uses basic single crochet (sc). The stitch count stays at a constant 45 stitches per row.
Color Changes: Change colors on the final yarn-over of the previous stitch. Carry the unused color inside your current stitches to hide it and keep it ready for the next switch.
Row Logic: Turn your work after completing each row. The turning chain (ch 1) at the start of a row counts as the very first stitch and is always worked using Color A. Odd rows represent the front (right side), while even rows represent the back (wrong side).
Notation: Text like (A) 4 means you will work 1 single crochet in each of the next 4 stitches using Color A.

Step-by-Step Body Instructions

Using Color A, chain 46.

Row 1 (Right Side): Single crochet into the second chain from your hook and down the entire chain. (45 stitches)
Row 2 (Wrong Side): Work 45 stitches using Color A.
Row 3: Border repeat row. Alternate colors across: (A) 2, (B) 1, then repeat the sequence of [(A) 4, (B) 1] a total of 8 times, finishing with (A) 2.
Rows 4 – 7: Work 45 stitches of Color A for each row.
Row 8: Start the frame. (A) 2, (B) 1, (A) 39, (B) 1, (A) 2.
Rows 9 – 10: Work 45 stitches of Color A for each row.
Row 11: (A) 12, (B) 2, (A) 2, (B) 2, (A) 7, (B) 1, (A) 1, (B) 1, (A) 1, (B) 2, (A) 14.
Row 12: (A) 14, (B) 2, (A) 2, (B) 2, (A) 7, (B) 3, (A) 2, (B) 2, (A) 11.
Row 13: (A) 2, (B) 1, (A) 8, (B) 2, (A) 2, (B) 2, (A) 8, (B) 2, (A) 1, (B) 2, (A) 12, (B) 1, (A) 2.
Row 14: (A) 15, (B) 2, (A) 1, (B) 2, (A) 9, (B) 2, (A) 1, (B) 2, (A) 11.
Row 15: (A) 11, (B) 5, (A) 1, (B) 7, (A) 1, (B) 5, (A) 15.
Row 16: (A) 14, (B) 20, (A) 11.
Row 17: (A) 11, (B) 20, (A) 14.
Row 18: (A) 2, (B) 1, (A) 11, (B) 21, (A) 7, (B) 1, (A) 2.
Row 19: (A) 9, (B) 24, (A) 12.
Row 20: (A) 11, (B) 12, (A) 1, (B) 13, (A) 3, (B) 1, (A) 4.
Row 21: (A) 5, (B) 2, (A) 1, (B) 12, (A) 3, (B) 11, (A) 11.
Row 22: (A) 9, (B) 12, (A) 5, (B) 12, (A) 1, (B) 2, (A) 4.
Row 23: (A) 2, (B) 1, (A) 1, (B) 1, (A) 1, (B) 1, (A) 1, (B) 10, (A) 7, (B) 12, (A) 5, (B) 1, (A) 2.
Row 24: (A) 7, (B) 12, (A) 9, (B) 9, (A) 2, (B) 1, (A) 5.
Row 25: (A) 8, (B) 9, (A) 4, (B) 1, (A) 4, (B) 13, (A) 6.
Row 26: (A) 5, (B) 15, (A) 2, (B) 3, (A) 2, (B) 9, (A) 9.
Row 27: (A) 9, (B) 31, (A) 5.
Row 28: (A) 2, (B) 1, (A) 5, (B) 27, (A) 7, (B) 1, (A) 2.
Row 29: (A) 11, (B) 25, (A) 9.
Row 30: (A) 10, (B) 5, (A) 1, (B) 16, (A) 13.
Row 31: (A) 16, (B) 8, (A) 6, (B) 4, (A) 11.
Row 32: (A) 11, (B) 4, (A) 30.
Row 33: (A) 2, (B) 1, (A) 28, (B) 3, (A) 8, (B) 1, (A) 2.
Row 34: (A) 10, (B) 2, (A) 33.
Rows 35 – 37: Work 45 stitches of Color A for each row.
Row 38: (A) 2, (B) 1, (A) 39, (B) 1, (A) 2.
Rows 39 – 42: Work 45 stitches of Color A for each row.
Row 43: Top border repeat. (A) 2, (B) 1, then repeat [(A) 4, (B) 1] 8 times, finishing with (A) 2.
Rows 44 – 45: Work 45 stitches of Color A for each row to complete the body.

Finishing Border & Hanging Loop

With your yarn strands sitting at the top corner, work around the exterior in rounds.

Round 1 (Base Border): Join Color B. Work 45 single crochets down each of the four sides of the potholder. To round the corners smoothly, create a 1 single crochet, chain 1, 1 single crochet sequence inside the corner space. Connect the end of the round to the start with a slip stitch.
Round 2 (Decorative Edging): Switch to Color A. Work the crab stitch (reverse single crochet) into every stitch from the previous round. Put exactly 1 crab stitch directly into the corner chain spaces.
The Hanging Loop: Once you circle back to the top corner, chain 20 and slip stitch into that same corner to anchor the loop. Turn the assembly over and work 25 single crochets directly over the chain arch to build a sturdy loop. Slip stitch once more into the corner to secure it.

Cut the yarn, pull it through to fasten off, and use a tapestry needle to weave in all loose yarn tails out of sight. Your handmade hot pad is complete!