Reverse Mitered Potholder

Reverse Mitered Potholder by Jessica Phillips

What Is Being Made

This downloadable crochet and knitting pattern creates a functional reverse mitered potholder designed by Jessica Phillips. The project produces a practical kitchen accessory made from two knitted squares that are joined together, featuring a decorative bone ring or similar embellishment for hanging convenience.

Project Overview

The Reverse Mitered Potholder is an ideal beginner-level project suitable for crafters new to both knitting and crochet techniques. The pattern uses a mitered square construction method, which creates geometric shaping through strategic yarn overs and marker placement. This design approach allows the fabric to expand evenly from the center outward, resulting in a perfectly proportioned square shape without requiring precise gauge measurements.

Knitting Techniques Used

The primary construction method employs mitered square knitting, a technique that builds fabric by increasing stitches symmetrically on either side of a center stitch. The pattern utilizes yarn over increases placed at marked intervals to create the characteristic diagonal lines of a mitered design. Slip stitch edging along the sides maintains neat selvage edges throughout the knitting process. The long tail cast on method begins the project, providing a sturdy foundation for the expanding stitches.

Crochet Techniques Used

Single crochet stitches are incorporated into the finishing process, likely used when joining the two knitted squares together or creating the final edges of the completed potholder.

Stitches and Abbreviations

• k – knit stitch, the fundamental knitting stitch
• yo – yarn over, creates an eyelet hole and increases a stitch
• wyif – with yarn in front, positions yarn toward the crafter before working the next stitch
• pm – place marker, inserts a stitch marker before slipping the next stitch
• sm – slip marker, passes the marker from one needle to the other without working it
• sc – single crochet, a basic crochet stitch used in finishing
• sl st – slip stitch, a joining crochet stitch

Pattern Structure

The pattern requires making two identical squares. Each square begins with a five-stitch cast on using the long tail method. The construction follows a repeating two-row sequence that continues until the piece reaches 51 stitches total. Row 1 establishes the mitered increases with yarn overs placed on either side of a marked center stitch. Row 2 maintains the established stitches across the row. This alternating pattern creates the characteristic geometric expansion of a reverse mitered design, with the final row repeated before casting off.

Materials Required

The potholder requires 2 to 3 ounces of worsted weight yarn, making it an economical project that uses minimal yardage. Crafters will need US size 6 knitting needles for the main construction and a size 5mm (H) crochet hook for finishing work. Additional materials include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, five removable stitch markers to track the mitered increases, and a bone ring or similar object for a functional hanging loop.

Gauge Consideration

This pattern is notably flexible regarding gauge, as the mitered square construction method naturally produces a properly proportioned square regardless of individual tension variations. This beginner-friendly feature eliminates the need for precise gauge swatching, making the project accessible to crafters with varying experience levels.

Finishing Details

The pattern includes assembly instructions for joining the two completed squares together. Crafters work through both layers simultaneously when putting the potholder together, carefully identifying each corner and the right and left hand sides of the squares to ensure proper alignment and construction of the finished piece.