- The best yarns for potholders are made from wool or cotton. Either of these fibers is thick enough and strong enough to protect your hands. Wool has a slight advantage over cotton, as it won't burn if overheated.
Choose a wool or cotton yarn that is at least worsted weight (CYCA 4). Cottons should have a tight, rope-like texture for best results. Wool can be superwash or untreated, and can be felted if desired. - You can crochet a dense, protective potholder from superwash wool or cotton. Use an "H" or "I" hook, and use two strands of worsted-weight yarn. Start with a chain, and complete a single 9" crochet square. The tighter your gauge, the more dense your potholder will be, and the more it will protect you from heat. Make a chain loop at one corner to hang your potholder.
- When you create a felted project, you deliberately shrink a knitted piece to make a dense, thick fabric. If you have ever accidentally washed and shrunk a wool sweater, you have felted it!
Use two strands of 100% wool yarn, and cast on 36 stitches. Use needles that will give you a gauge of 3 stitches per inch (size 11 or 13 will work for most knitters). Knit in garter stitch (knit each row) until you have a square.
Bind off, and place your knitted potholder in the washing machine. Wash in hot water to felt, then lay flat to dry. Your potholder is ready to use when dry.
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