I'm a knitter. I LOVE to knit, but I do know how to crochet. I've been crocheting since I was a child. I don't love to crochet, but it is a handy skill to know. There are times when you can't find a better handmade fabric. In this case crochet is perfect for potholders. No more burnt hands for me. The resulting double thick fabric makes a perfect potholder!
After reading about Monika's Bosnian Crocheted Hot Pad I was intrigued and had to at least give this new type of crochet a try. I found the book - Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet 
(beautiful book, by the way with everything you need to know about crochet) which contained the directions for the hot pad. Well, Monika, I tried, but quickly gave up. Bosnian crochet is so not for me... too hard on my old hand and arm. Oh, the pain...I felt like I was on the way to having tendinitis again. No way was I going to let that happen again, so I took another pathway... this time plain old ordinary single crochet. I started out with this pattern (Thanks Miss Blonde for the idea) but instead of sewing it up on the diagonal I kept on crocheting until I had a nice big square pocket and then I crocheted the top shut and made a nice loop. The original pattern was too small. I like a big potholder. If you want to give the diagonal potholder a try I would suggest making your chain longer for a bigger potholder. I'm very happy with my version though :)Have a wonderful weekend....schools almost out for the summer, yay!!
I'll leave you for now with my new signature thanks to Monika.
these are great! sadly - i do not know how to crochet. i can't do it with just one hand!
ReplyDeletei love the orange ones - my knitting crew wants me to take up the hook, maybe, just maybe for these - I will! Glad your not burning your hands any more - the knitting world needs them!
Have a great weekend!!
Oh I love those, and what great colors you used. I definitely need some potholds - it's on the to-do list.
ReplyDeleteHugs!!!!
Very colorful addition to your kitchen. I don't know how to crochet. Surely there must be a way of making a nice thick fabric comparable to crochet.
ReplyDeleteThose remind me of the potholders my grandma used to make. Great memories. Great potholders. Great colors. I'm glad you ventured over the crochet side. It's good to remember to use all your skills.
ReplyDeleteI am in a crochet mode and need some of those useful pot holders too! I love the colours you have used...thanks for the links too!
ReplyDeleteThose are really great - I barely know how to crochet but maybe I should give it a try and make some too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that link - those are great and I just happen to need some new ones.
ReplyDeleteI love all your color combinations, they look so beautiful. I LOVE to crochet, I rarely ever drop the hook like I do when knitting, lol.
ReplyDeleteYour potholders are lovely! Great color combinations, too.
ReplyDeleteI am not ashamed of crochet!_giggles_
I want it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hear you on the tendinitis, ouch!
Well, it was a once in a lifetime bosnian crochet pot holder too! :o) I like our pot holders, and I agree, crochet is very well suited for this kind of thing. I like mine bigger as well.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the potholders! I learned how to crochet in 6th grade.... Hmmm, I wonder if I could still remember, it's been awhile! Thanks for all of the helpful links!
ReplyDeleteI Love your version, I might try that too! one can never have too many potholders! :)
ReplyDeleteI love your potholders!! I so wish I could crochet some...so much faster than knitting. You just reminded me that I totally need a new stash of them too.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
They look fantastic! I've been trying to find someone to teach me to crochet for years. I think I found someone on Ravelry and I hope we can "hook" up soon! I plan on making a few dishcloths and now maybe some potholders too!
ReplyDeleteI love the orange potholders. I really need to use my Peaches and Cream for something like this eventually.
ReplyDeleteLove 'em! I think I'll make some too. :)
ReplyDeleteSo pretty!
ReplyDeleteYou are inspirational! I don't know how to crochet and I find myself banned for so many nice patterns because I wouldn't be able to complete sleeve and neck edging by myself. I'm warming up tot he idea that I'll need to learn at least some crochet basics.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I could use a bunch of these by the b-b-q! I'm always burning my hands!
ReplyDeleteI love your signature. Your pot holders look great. I think I have one with a diagonal pattern that I purchaced a long time ago. I really like it. Hope you had a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteLove the colors, and your version looks great. Like you I think bigger is better. I hate wee little potholders, actually I have trouble when at other peoples houses with them. I have a pair of those heavy duty quilty mits and can't navigate without them. I don't use potholders as potholders...I use them more like a hot pad.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy knitting and crocheting equally as well. I think my crocheting skills are superior to my knitting skills, as I've been doing it a lot longer; but working on improving my knitting. I like to switch around between them, and find sometimes one is just better than the other for the yarn or the project.
I want a snazy signature line.......most cool, how did you do that?
Sandy
What a great idea! Those are so cute and fun. Love the new signature!
ReplyDeleteLovely pot holders, and I agree that crocheted ones work better.
ReplyDeletelove the potholders. They are so pretty and are sure to brighten your kitchen. Learning to crochet is on my to do list.
ReplyDeletei love knitting potholders... your crocheted ones look great, too! : )
ReplyDeletesigh...I'm in need of some potholders myself. how I wish I was a better crocheter!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch festive pot holders! I love your version!
ReplyDelete