*  You can purchase the INEXPENSIVE AD-FREE PDF of this pattern on Etsy! This printer friendly, stylishly formatted PDF includes a knitting chart for the colorwork portion, photo tutorials for the provisional cast on, the 3-needle bind off, the I-cord & the bottom bind off and is a total of 11 pages including the cover page. *

We completely renovated our house from top to bottom a few years ago and ran out of time to complete all the projects on our list before our firstborn made his arrival, the kitchen is one of the rooms that is still not finished to this day but that doesn’t mean it can’t get some cute knit accessories!

My cousin is the one who suggested potholders as my next knitting project and while I loved the idea, I must admit it took some time for the actual design to come to life in my mind. I knew from the get-go that I wanted to use two colours and reverse them to make a second potholder. I also knew it needed to be double-thick, have a hanging loop and be cute but most importantly be functional. 

I love the subtle uneven chevron colorwork pattern that adds just the right amount of visual interest without being overly there. 

Construction: The Offset Potholders are worked in the round from a provisional cast-on, creating a double-layered fabric. A simple two-colour pattern repeat forms the offset design in stockinette stitch. Both ends are neatly closed using a three-needle bind-off and a knitted I-cord loop is added for hanging.

Skill level: Intermediate

Materials:

Needles

16″ circular knitting needles 4,0 mm (US size 6)

Notions

• Two 4,0 mm (US size 6) double pointed needles (for I-cord and 3 needle bind-off)
• A few yards of worsted weight (size 4) scrap yarn and 4,0 mm (G-6) crochet hook (for the provisional cast-on)
• Stitch markers
• Row counter (optional)
• Scissors
• Darning needle

Yarn

I used Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn which is a Worsted weight (size 4) mercerized cotton yarn in colours Taupe and Ecru. 

To make one potholder, you will need 1 skein of each colour or at least:

• 74 yds (68 m/ 40 g) of your main colour (MC)
• 46 yds (43 m/ 25 g) of your contrast colour (CC)

One skein of each colour is enough to make two complementary potholders by reversing the main and contrast colours!

Not ready to knit just yet? Pin it so you can come back to it later!

Gauge: In pattern repeat: 4”x4” (10 cm x 10 cm) = 25 stitches across x 30 rows high.

Final measurements: The finished potholder measures roughly 6.5” (16.5 cm) in width by 6.75” (17 cm) in height (not including the hanging loop.

Abbreviations: 

• CO – cast on
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• k – knit
• p – purl
• k2tog – knit 2 stitches together

Pattern: 

With scrap yarn, use a provisional cast-on to CO 80 sts.

Place a unique stitch marker (or row counter) for end of round and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Join Main Colour (MC) leaving a 60″ (152 cm) tail (you will use this tail later to bind off the bottom). 

Set up round 1: K every st around

Set up round 2: K every st around

Round 1: With MC: p1, [with CC: k1, with MC: k3, *with CC: k1, with MC: k2. repeat from * four more times], repeat the sequence in [] once more, with MC: p2, repeat the sequence in [] twice, with MC: p1 

Round 2: With MC: p1, [continuing with MC: k1, with CC: k1, with MC: k1, with CC: k1, *with MC: k2, with CC: k1. repeat from * three more times, with MC: k1, with CC: k1, with MC: k1], repeat the sequence in [] once more, continuing with MC: p2, repeat the sequence in [] twice, p1 

Round 3: With MC: p1, [*with MC: k2, with CC, k1, repeat from * four more times, with MC: k3, with CC: k1], repeat the sequence in [] once more, with MC: p2, repeat the sequence in [] twice, with MC: p1 

Your pattern repeat is now established.

Repeat rounds 1 to 3 an additional 15 times. You should now have worked a total of 50 rounds (including the two setup rounds). 

Cut CC. 

Round 51: With MC, K every st around

Round 52: With MC, K every st around

TOP BIND OFF

Remove marker and fold piece in half so that needles are parallel. Pull the needle cord between two stitches so that 40 stitches are on each needle. With a double pointed needle, bind off using a 3-needle bind off until one stitch remains on each needle. 

Slip stitch from front needle onto double pointed needle. 

Slip stitch from back needle onto double pointed needle. 

3 stitches are now on double pointed needle. 

I-CORD HANGING LOOP

With remaining 3 stitches, work an I-cord until it measures 3 inches. 

To bind-off the I-cord: K1, k2tog, pass first stitch over second stitch and off the needle. 

Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail and pull through remaining stitch.

Thread the yarn tail onto a darning needle and pull it into the fabric at the base of the I-cord to create a loop. Pull the yarn tail through the looped I-cord, and back into fabric. Weave in the end and securing it with a knot. 

Weaving in all the CC ends or simply tie them together without putting tension on the fabric and leave them inside the potholder. 

BOTTOM BIND OFF

Carefully unravel the provisional cast-on and slip live stitches back onto your 16-inch circular needles. You should now have 80 sts on your needles. 

Fold piece in half so that needles are parallel. Pull the needle cord between two stitches so that 40 stitches are on each needle. 

With a double pointed needle and the 60″ (152 cm) tail we left at the beginning, bind off using a 3-needle bind off. Fasten off. 

FINISHING

Weave in remaining end(s) and gently wet or steam block as desired (this mainly helps to shape the purl edge on the sides and to even out the colorwork stitches. 

The techniques used may seem daunting at first, but they are not that complicated if you take your time and go at them one at a time. The Offset Potholders are a quick and satisfying project that will have you feeling accomplished – as a reference, it took me two evening per potholder, knitting casually. 

This pattern uses two colours of Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, a mercerized cotton yarn that creates a smooth, sturdy fabric with excellent stitch definition. I love that you can get two complementary potholders simply by switching the main and contrast colours for each other. Here’s to a coordinated pair without needing extra yarn!

Whether you’re making a little something for your own kitchen, putting together a thoughtful handmade gift for a loved one or looking for the perfect hostess gift, all you have to do is choose your two favorite colours of 24/7 cotton and you’ll have a beautiful matching pair ready to use or give away!

If you like this pattern, please share on social media using #OffsetPotholders and tag @KnitalieCo.

If you would like to purchase the INEXPENSIVE AD-FREE PDF of this pattern, here’s the link! Purchasing the printer friendly, stylishly formatted PDF (which includes a knitting chart for the colorwork portion and photo tutorials for the provisional cast on, the 3-needle bind off, the I-cord & the bottom bind off) helps me continue sharing free content.

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