Crochet Thermal Stitch Hot Pad Pattern

The thermal stitch hot pad is made by crocheting a simple square of the crochet thermal stitch. Usually I like to make my hot pads double sided, to make extra sure that there is no risk of heat reaching through the crochet holes to my hand. But the thermal stitch is so thick all by itself that there is much less risk of that!

The Thermal Stitch

The thermal stitch has got to be the thickest crochet stitch I have ever tried! The stitch is actually very simple… constructed in exactly the same way as the single crochet. However, there is just one added twist. Instead of inserting your hook through the top two loops of the row, you insert through the back loop and then a loop on the back of your work from the previous row you completed.

This, in essence, leans each row back at a tilt, so that it works slightly at the back of the row below. With each row you turn your work and add that same tilt to the other side… basically adding thickness as you go.

Though it is a simple concept, it doesn’t mean it’s totally easy. If you know how to do a single crochet, you’ll be able to pick up the mechanics of it. The tricky part is that in the first few rows it can be hard to find that loop from the previous row to stitch into. But once you get through the first few rows, it becomes a lot easier and you can really start speeding along. I have included a video tutorial to help walk you through it. You can find a link to that in the pattern notes.

Why you should use 100% cotton yarn for your hot pads

Different yarn fibers have different characteristics, making them best suited for certain projects. Cotton fiber happens to tolerate heat better than synthetic or acrylic fibers. Whereas other yarn fibers might melt or catch fire when coming into contact with high heat, cotton will be much more resilient.

Besides being heat tolerant, cotton is also tough. It can take the constant grunt work of being tossed around the kitchen every day and then thrown in the wash and dryer with all the other laundry.

For this particular hot pad I chose to use Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton. It has a nice, tight construction that doesn’t split. And I love the deep, rich color selection available.

The Pattern

If  you would like to purchase an inexpensive, ad-free printable pdf version of this thermal stitch hot pad pattern, you can find it here at my Etsy shop.

Add this thermal stitch hot pad pattern to your Ravelry favorites HERE.

Materials:

• 77 Yards Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton weight 4 medium (100% mercerized cotton, 3.5oz/100g, 185yd/170m) I used color Bay Leaf
• US I/ 5.5 mm Crochet Hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• Yarn Needle
• Scissors

Gauge:

4” x 4” swatch = 32 rows x 16 sts

Finished Size:

Approximately 6” x 6”

Abbreviation Key:

(ch) chain
(sl st) slip stitch
(sc) single crochet
Special Stitch: (scts) Single Crochet Thermal Stitch

How to Crochet the Single Crochet Thermal Stitch:

Before starting the thermal stitch, complete a row of single crochet, crocheting into the back loop only. On the next row, instead of inserting your hook into both loops of the stitch, insert your hook in the back loop only. Then insert your hook through the visible loop of the stitch in the row below it as well. Yarn over and pull the loop through 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through remaining 2 loops on your hook.

For extra help, you can view a video tutorial of the thermal stitch here.

Pattern Notes:

I tend to crochet tightly. If you feel you are crocheting more loosely you can move to a smaller hook (or larger if you crochet even more tightly). Some people find they even need to go down two hook sizes to meet my gauge.

Photos are included in the instructions for key points that are the most difficult. There are not photos for every step, so be sure to read the instructions carefully and refer to the photos for additional assistance when applicable.

This pattern produces a smaller size pot holder, but it is easy to resize if desired. Just add any number to your starting chain and stop adding rows when your work is even on all sides.

Pattern:

Ch 26.

Row 1: Sc (in back loop of chain) in second ch from hook and in each ch across. <25>

Row 2: Ch 1. Turn. Scts in same st and in each st across. <25>

Rows 3 – 47: Repeat row 2.

Row 48: To finish up neatly, on the final row you will scts across as in previous rows, but ALSO put your hook through the front loop of the stitch, in addition to the other two loops. This means you are going through 3 loops (front loop, back loop and loop of stitch in previous row) to complete each stitch.

Finish off and weave in your ends.