When we were very first learning how to knit and crochet, there were a few kinds of projects and patterns that we enjoyed making the most. The first thing we ever made was a dish cloth, but those are quite small and we found we started finishing them too quickly once we got the hang of things. At the same time, we really did need simple projects to practice with while we were still perfecting our techniques. That’s where hot pads came in to save the day! We couldn’t even begin to count the number of hot pads we knit and crocheted in our first year as yarn crafters.
Are you looking for ways to practice your knitting and crochet techniques but still make something useful and rewarding at the same time? Then check out these awesome and totally cool looking hot pad patterns that you’ll either love having in your own kitchen or enjoy giving to friends and family as gifts!
1. Morning glory hot pad
Are you feeling confident enough in your crochet skills that you think you’re ready to move on from creating basic shapes, so you’ve had your eye on layered crochet patterns for quite some time now? In that case, we definitely think you should check out this adorable morning glory hot pad design from Annie Potter. No matter what colours you make your little flowers, the finished look will be nothing short of lovely.
2. Covered beer cap hot pad
Are the hot pads that you always find the most useful and tend to gravitate towards always the ones made from harder materials or the ones that have a little more substance to them? Well, that might not seem like it goes with your desire to create yarn crafts, but you’d be surprised! Dawn L.E. Riden is here to show you how to make a solid hot pad out of beer caps, but also how to cover the caps in adorably crocheted lacy little sleeves to keep the things you put on top of them from sliding around on the metal, as well as to keep the metal from heating up too much and burning you if you touch it by accident. We can’t get over how creative this idea really is, especially since it’s also an upcycling technique!
3. Easter duckie hot pad
Perhaps you’ve always been a huge fan of making seasonal crafts and pieces, so you’ve had your eyes peeled for holiday designs of any kind the whole time you’ve been scrolling through this post? In that case, we have a feeling you’re going to enjoy this adorable little Easter pattern hat looks like a baby duck just poking out from it’s shell. We think this pattern is a great way to learn about switching colours! See how it’s made on Dragon Fly Mom of 2.
4. Simple variegated hot pad
Are you really just a brand new knitter looking for ways to practice your basic stitches and finish something tangible that you can actually use? Then we suggest sticking to a simple, classic square design! That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t create some visual interest in your design too. We love the way Cheryl Beckerich kept their stitches to a basic minimalist style but used a brightly variegated yarn to keep things looking awesome.
5. Geometrix mandala hot pad
Okay, we know we said that most of these patterns and designs were aimed towards people who are still new at knitting and crochet but when we saw how utterly beautiful this mandala pattern from Tatsiana Kupryianchyk was, we just couldn’t resist putting it on our list! This pattern is great practice in lace crochet and intricate shaping, especially while changing from colour to colour.
6. Hot pad mini mitts
Are you the kind of knitter and the kind of kitchen person who, while interested in making something simple that’s designed along a basic concept, would actually rather use something that’s just ever so slightly different than the norm? In that case, we think you’re going to love this funny little hot pad mitt from Bekah Knits. It’s a cool two-fold project because it’ll protect your fingers when you pick up your hot pan or pot but then you can also unfold it and lay it flat on the counter top to set things on.
7. Music note hot pad
Have you reached the point in your craft where you feel like you’re ready to learn a bit of colour work, but you’d like to find a balance between making something themed after things you like and sticking to pretty basic shapes since you’re still learning? In that case, we think this music not hot pad from Susan Bridget is a great idea! We like that the overall shape is still straight forward so you can just concentrate on creating your shapes.
8. Mitered hot pads
Maybe you’re ready for a little bit of a challenge, but your personal style is simply a little bit more minimalist than some of what we’ve shown you so far? In that case, we think you’d enjoy a project that concentrates more on stitch definition than fancy shapes or designs! We love the way Lori Utely designed this knit and purl hot pad that really just shows off your neat, even tension and the beauty of stockinette.
9. Tequila sunrise hot pad
Are you still thinking about how much you loved the more intricate lacy crocheted hot pad we showed you above, and you’re kind of interested in making one similar that also has a colour change, but you’d rather not crochet an entirely solid background because you feel like it detracts from the beauty of the lace? Then check out this see through dual colour lace design instead! Robin Abudllah shows you each and every stitch so you can make your own version.
10. Sugar skull hot pad
One again, we know this isn’t exactly a beginner’s design, but it’s so darn cool that we just couldn’t help ourselves! Besides the awesome use of colours, we can’t get over how this lace crochet design looks so much like an awesome sugar skull. Find out how each layer is made and each texture is stitched on Glamour4You.
11. Topical fish hot pad
Maybe you’re looking for a design that will let you practice both colour changes and increases and decreases for shape altering all at once, without overwhelming you with additional details? Then we have a feeling you’ll appreciate this funny little fish hot pad from Katie Roseman. This pattern is also great because it’s another one that’ll look very cool no matter what colours you choose for your base and stripes.
12. Sheep’s butt hot pad
If you’re going to make something useful but simple, why not make it extra fun? We love the idea of learning new techniques by making something extra kitschy and silly that will probably give visitors a giggle when they see it. That’s why we loved this sheep’s butt hot pad pattern from Shannon Paxton so much! It’s a great way to practice neatly switching colours, but it’s also just plain hilarious.
13. Outlined rainbow flower hot pads
Are you actually quite experience in colour switching and now you’d like to really take those skills to the next level, even though you still actually need a hot pad for your kitchen? Then you’ll probably fall just as much in love with these awesome technicolour flower pads by Jennifer Martin as we did! We’ve actually made ourselves several of these awesome blossoms, and countless more that we’ve given away to friends and family.
