Crochet Scrappy Dots Potholder

Brighten up your kitchen with this vibrant, retro-inspired potholder. Built from 25 individual “dot” mini-squares, this project combines solid colorful circles with clean white borders. It is an excellent way to use up leftover scrap yarn while creating a thick, functional, and eye-catching accessory for your home.

Supplies Needed

• Hook Size: 3.0 mm (US C/2 or UK 11)

• Yarn: DK weight (Light, Category 3) 100% cotton yarn. You will need a main neutral color (like cream or white) for the background and borders, plus an assortment of contrast colors for the colorful centers.

• Tools: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors.

Pattern Metrics

• Finished Size: Approximately 6.2 inches (16 cm) square.

• Gauge: Each finished mini-square measures roughly 1.2 inches (3 cm) across.

Core Terminology (US Stitch Guides)

• Ch: Chain

• Sc: Single Crochet

• Hdc: Half Double Crochet

• Dc: Double Crochet

• Sl St: Slip Stitch

• MC: Magic Circle / Adjustable Ring

• St(s): Stitch(es)

• Inc: Increase (work 2 stitches into the exact same stitch)

• [ ] / ( ): Work all instructions inside these brackets into the same single stitch, or repeat the sequence as directed.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. The Scrappy Dot Squares (Create 25)

Round 1 (The Colorful Center): Using any accent color, form a magic circle.

• Chain 2 (this does not count as a stitch).

• Work 12 double crochets directly into the ring.

• Pull the yarn tail to close the center hole tightly.

• Join with a slip stitch to the top of your very first double crochet. (12 stitches total)

• Cut yarn and fasten off.

Round 2 (Squaring the Circle): Pull up a loop of your main background white/cream yarn in any stitch from Round 1.

• Chain 1 (does not count as a stitch), then work 1 half double crochet into that same starting stitch.

• *In the next stitch, create a corner by working: [1 half double crochet, 2 double crochets, 1 half double crochet] all together.

• Work 1 half double crochet into each of the next 2 stitches.*

• Repeat from * to * a total of 3 times.

• In the next stitch, work your final corner: [1 half double crochet, 2 double crochets, 1 half double crochet].

• Work 1 half double crochet into the remaining stitch.

• Join with a slip stitch to the first half double crochet of the round. (24 stitches total)

• Fasten off and secure your yarn ends.

2. Joining the Grid

Lay out your 25 mini-squares in a 5×5 grid, arranging the colors to your liking.

To join them, you will connect them row by row horizontally, and then repeat the process vertically. Use your main background yarn:

1. Align two squares face-up.

2. Attach your yarn to the outer corner double crochet of the bottom square.

3. Slip stitch or whipstitch across through the inner loops only of both squares, matching stitch for stitch.

4. When you reach the next corner, grab the next pair of squares from your layout and continue joining without cutting the yarn.

5. Once all rows are joined in one direction, turn the project 90 degrees and repeat the process across the perpendicular seams to finalize the 5×5 grid.

3. Border Expansion

Round 1: Attach the background white yarn to any stitch on the perimeter.

• Single crochet evenly around the entire edge. Work 7 single crochets along the side of each mini-square.

• When you reach the four outer corners of the potholder, work a single crochet increase (2 sc) into each corner double crochet stitch. (This yields 37 stitches along each side).

• Slip stitch to join and fasten off.

Round 2 (Color Accent Frame): Join a contrast color of your choice in the second stitch of any corner increase.

• *Work a single crochet increase in the corner, single crochet into the next 35 stitches, then work a single crochet increase in the next corner stitch.*

• Switch to a new contrast color for each side if you prefer a multi-colored frame, repeating from * around.

• Join and fasten off.

4. Adding the Hanging Loop

Turn the potholder so the wrong side is facing you.

1. Attach your main background yarn to the edge where two border colors meet at a corner.

2. Chain 20, then secure the loop by working a slip stitch into the adjacent corner stitch.

3. Chain 1 and turn so the right side is facing you.

4. Work single crochets densely around the chain loop itself (do not pierce individual chain links; simply wrap the stitches over the chain) until the loop is completely covered and sturdy.

5. Slip stitch to the base to secure, fasten off, and weave in all remaining yarn tails.