purlJam

# The Double-Thick Round Potholder
*A beginner-friendly square-that-reads-round potholder, worked flat in garter stitch, then seamed into a tube and flattened for two heat-resistant layers.*

A lovely first project: there is no shaping, no purling on the right side, and only simple seaming at the end. The double thickness keeps your hands well protected, and the soft cotton washes beautifully.

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** WeCrafty / Knit Picks **Dishie** (100% cotton, worsted weight; 173 m / 190 yds per 100 g skein)
  - **1 skein** (approx. **75–90 m / 82–98 yds** used) in your favourite colour.
- **Needles:** 4.5 mm (UK 7 / US 7) straight or circular needles.
- **Notions:**
  - Tapestry/darning needle (for seaming and weaving in ends)
  - Scissors
  - Optional: a short length of contrasting scrap yarn for a hanging loop
  - Optional: stitch markers

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## Tension (Gauge)

**18 sts and 36 rows = 10 cm (4")** over **garter stitch** (knit every row), on 4.5 mm needles, after gentle blocking.

> ⚠️ **Tension matters even here.** Cotton has little stretch, so if your fabric is much looser than the tension above the potholder will be thin and offer less heat protection. Aim for a firm, dense fabric. If your garter fabric feels loose, drop to 4 mm needles.

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## Finished Measurements

- **Flat rectangle (before seaming):** approx. **18 cm (7") wide × 36 cm (14") long.**
- **Finished folded potholder:** approx. **18 cm × 18 cm (7" × 7")** — a soft, plump square that reads as round once the corners relax and it hangs on a hook.

*Maths check: 32 sts ÷ 1.8 sts/cm = 17.8 cm ≈ 7" wide. 130 rows ÷ 3.6 rows/cm = 36.1 cm long; folded in half = 18 cm ≈ 7" tall.* ✓

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## Abbreviations

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| k | knit |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| RS | right side |
| WS | wrong side |
| cm | centimetres |
| approx. | approximately |

*This pattern uses garter stitch only — you knit every single row.*

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## Pattern Notes

- **Construction:** You knit one long flat rectangle in garter stitch. You then fold/seam it into a tube and flatten that tube so the layers lie one on top of the other, giving a **double-thick** fabric. Finally you close the two open sides.
- **Why "round"?** A knitted potholder worked this simply is technically a square; once stuffed full with two garter layers and hung from a hook by one corner, it relaxes into a soft, rounded shape. If you prefer crisp corners, simply leave them as they are — it is the double thickness that does the protecting.
- **Garter stitch** is reversible and lies flat — perfect for a potholder, as it won't curl.
- **Edges:** For tidy edges, knit the first and last stitch of every row firmly.
- **Don't bind off tightly** — keep your cast-on and cast-off relaxed so the seamed edges aren't pinched.

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## Instructions

### Step 1 — Cast On
Using 4.5 mm needles, **cast on 32 sts.**

### Step 2 — Knit the Rectangle (Garter Stitch)
**Every row:** k to end (32 sts).

Continue knitting every row until the piece measures **36 cm (14") from the cast-on edge** — this is approximately **130 rows** (65 garter ridges on each side).

> 💡 **Tip:** A garter "ridge" = 2 rows. 130 rows = 65 ridges. Count ridges on one face — when you reach **65 ridges**, you've knitted 130 rows. Lay the work flat (don't stretch) and measure to confirm 36 cm.

### Step 3 — Cast Off
Cast off all 32 sts **loosely** (knit-wise). Leave a long tail of approx. **60 cm (24")** — you will use this for seaming. Cut yarn.

You now have a flat rectangle approx. **18 cm × 36 cm (7" × 14").**

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## Finishing

### Step 4 — Seam into a Tube
1. Lay the rectangle flat, RS up, as a tall portrait rectangle (18 cm wide, 36 cm long).
2. Bring the **cast-on edge up to meet the cast-off edge**, folding wrong sides together so the rectangle becomes a **tube** open at the top and bottom.

   *Wait — read this carefully:* fold so the two short ends (cast-on and cast-off) meet. The piece now forms a short, wide tube whose **finished height is 18 cm (7")** and whose seam runs across one end.
3. Thread the long tail onto the tapestry needle. Using **mattress stitch** (or a simple whip stitch for a beginner), seam the cast-on edge to the cast-off edge to close that join. Work firmly and evenly so no gaps show.

> 💡 **Beginner seaming tip:** With RS facing each other, a simple back-and-forth whip stitch through both edges is perfectly sturdy for a potholder. Pull snug but not so tight that the fabric puckers.

### Step 5 — Flatten and Close the Sides
1. You now have a tube. **Flatten it** so the seam you just made lies along **one edge** (this becomes one side of the square). The fabric is now **two layers thick** — a 18 cm × 18 cm (7" × 7") double square.
2. The flattened tube has **two open side edges** (left and right). Using a new length of yarn (approx. 50 cm / 20"), **seam each open side closed** with whip stitch or mattress stitch, joining the front and back layers together.
3. The cast-on/cast-off seam forms one closed edge; leave or close the final fold edge as you prefer — both will be closed once both sides are seamed.

> ⚠️ **Check before you seam the last side:** make sure both layers are smooth and aligned, with no twist in the tube. Once both sides are seamed, all four edges are closed and the potholder is fully double-thick.

### Step 6 — Optional Hanging Loop
1. Cut a 25 cm (10") length of yarn.
2. At one corner, thread it through both layers and tie a firm knot to form a loop approx. 4 cm (1½") long.
3. Trim the ends neatly, or sew the ends in for a tidier finish.

### Step 7 — Weave in Ends & Block
1. Weave all remaining yarn tails into the inner layer of the potholder using the tapestry needle, so they are hidden between the two layers.
2. **Block:** Dampen the finished potholder, pat it into a neat 18 cm × 18 cm (7" × 7") square (gently rounding the corners with your fingers if you'd like a more circular look), and leave flat to dry.

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## Care Instructions
Dishie cotton is machine washable. Wash warm, dry flat or tumble dry low. Cotton softens and fluffs beautifully with washing, improving the potholder's insulation over time.

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### Quick Reference
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Cast on | 32 sts |
| Stitch pattern | Garter (k every row) |
| Length to knit | 36 cm / 14" (≈130 rows / 65 ridges) |
| Finished (folded) | 18 cm × 18 cm (7" × 7"), double-thick |
| Needles | 4.5 mm |
| Tension | 18 sts & 36 rows = 10 cm in garter st |

Enjoy your sturdy, double-thick potholder — and happy knitting! 🧶