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Looking for a sturdy, beautiful potholder design? This Waistcoat Stitch Potholder is the perfect project to learn the waistcoat stitch while creating a thick, durable fabric. Made with Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn, it offers strength and heat resistance, ideal for handling hot pots and pans. Follow along with the step-by-step video tutorial and add this unique knit-like stitch to your crochet skills.
Waistcoat Stitch Potholder Pattern
Pro Tip: It is very important to work your stitches loosely, otherwise it will be difficult to get your hook into the V of the stitch. You may benefit from moving up a hook size if you are struggling to make the stitches.
Supplies
Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton. 1.5 oz (42.5 g) and 68 yds (68 m). 85% Cotton, 15% Polyester. Worsted Weight Yarn [4]. Machine wash and dry.
Potholder width approximately 6.5 inches X 6.5 inches length with edging.
Gauge
Approximately 7 v-st per 4 inches and 9 rows per 4 inches, worked in pattern.
You can substitute any yarn and hook for this stitch pattern – just remember when you substitute if your gauge is different, the finished size, and amount of yarn used for your project will also be different.
Abbreviations
US Crochet Terms
bet – between
ch – chain
g- grams
m – meters
oz – ounces
RS – right side
rem – remaining
rep – repeat
Rnd – round
sc – single crochet
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
sp – space
st/sts – stitch/stitches
WST – waistcoat stitch
yds – yards
* to **– Repeat the instructions between the asterisks the number of times indicated. This repeat will contain multiple instructions.
[] – at the end of the row – the total number of stitches
() – important notes AND sets of stitches to be worked within one stitch, or space
Just increase the starting chain to the width you wish for your potholder and follow the pattern below (ignoring the stitch counts at the end of the rounds) and working to the length you wish 🙂
When I work into the foundation chain, I prefer working into the back bar (back bump) of the chain. You can work under the back loop only if you prefer.
This potholder is 1-cm thick and very dense (no holes).
Stitch Multiple 1+1
This project is crocheted in continuous rounds. This means you do not slip stitch to join. You may wish to use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round and move it up for each round you work.
Rnd 1: Ch 21, sk the first ch and work 1 sc in each ch across to the last ch. Make 2 sc in the last ch. Rotate your work to continue around the bottom of the foundation chain and make 1 sc in each ch across to the last ch. Make 2 sc in the last ch. [42 sc]
Rnd 2: 1 WST in each st around. [42 WST]
Rnd 3: Rep Rnd 2 until your potholder measures 6.5 inches in height. [42 WST]
Do not finish off.
Proceed to the finishing instructions.
Finishing Instructions
Flatten the potholder.
You will now work through both layers to close the potholder. Line up your stitches from the last round so you have 21 WST across.
Make 1 sl st through both layers, in each st across. This will close the top of your potholder. [21 WST]
To add the hanging tie, ch 21 and make 1 sl st into the corner edge of the potholder.
View my video tutorial below (please note there is no SOUND on the video).
Since I have two small and very noisy little ones running about it would have been very distracting for you if I were to include sound – I hope this is not a problem – think of it as a ‘silent movie’ – vintage, just like this stitch!
Waistcoat Stitch Photo Tutorial
The waistcoat stitch is exactly like a single crochet stitch except it is worked in between the two legs of the stitch, instead of under the top two loops of the stitch.
In order to make this stitch it is important to have a relaxed gauge (tension). I always recommend using a larger hook size than the yarn calls for – it will save your hands.
Here is a look at the stitch from the front and the back (so you can see the difference). It is extremely important to keep the hook in the correct placement under the horizontal bar on the back of the stitch. This will create a completely reversible fabric. If you do not place the hook under the horizontal bar (seen on the back of the fabric) the inside stitches will not look as similar to the front of your work. This is ok for some projects like our potholder!
Master the waistcoat stitch with this sturdy potholder pattern! Free photo and video tutorials included. 🧶 Durable, thick, and practical for your kitchen!
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I can’t figure out where to put my hook to start the waistcoat stitch. I understand how to do it from the video, but that starts in the middle of a project. I’m having trouble seeing the “V”s after the first row.
Hi Cyndi 🙂 You have a potholder worked in rounds so you have two sides if you flatten it out. When you worked in the beginning chain you worked on both sides of the chain to make a circle. So when you flatten the project at the end of all the repeat rounds, you would need to work through both sides of the circle to close it so you can no longer put your hand inside it like a mitten. Or you can leave it open to use like an oven mitt instead if you want but you may want to increase the repeat rounds to make it a little bit longer 🙂 All the best, Rhondda
Hi Monica. You would work on both sides of the chain. So when you reach the end of the chain of 21, instead of turning and going back to the other side in top of the stitches you made, you rotate the beginning chain which you just worked into and work into the free loop on the opposite side of the initial chain. This allows you to crochet in rounds – not back and forth. Like you would on the sole of a slipper…maybe if you take a look at the bottom of one of these slippers you will understand what I am trying to say. https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/fionas-baby-booties-free-pattern/
Let me know if this helps 🙂 Thanks! Rhondda
I am confused. When you say to go thru both layers, where am I getting 2 layers? Am I supposed to make 2 and stitch together?
Do you ha e a photo of what the beginning row should look like? I am not quite understanding what you mean by work in the bottom of the chain.
Thanks very nice blog!|
Hi Kerri, Very welcome for the Waistcoat Stitch Tutorial 🙂 It is one of my favorite stitches and it makes a fantastic, thick fabric.
I love how thick and consistent it works up. Look forward to trying the stitch out. Thank you for the tutorial.
I love making my own potholders and especially when they produce thick protection like this one. Also a great way to learn a new stitch.
How can I print this? I tried to copy and paste, but only the photos would copy.
If you try and have questions, just let me know 🙂 I’d be happy to help! Rhondda
Very welcome Abby 🙂
I will have to try this one day 🙂
I’ve been wanting to do this design. My first thought was it is done by knitting but now i know its done by crocheting. Thank you so much for the video
Oh good! I’m glad I could help 🙂 Let me know if you have any questions!
I can’t figure out where to put my hook to start the waistcoat stitch. I understand how to do it from the video, but that starts in the middle of a project. I’m having trouble seeing the “V”s after the first row.
Hi Cyndi 🙂 You have a potholder worked in rounds so you have two sides if you flatten it out. When you worked in the beginning chain you worked on both sides of the chain to make a circle. So when you flatten the project at the end of all the repeat rounds, you would need to work through both sides of the circle to close it so you can no longer put your hand inside it like a mitten. Or you can leave it open to use like an oven mitt instead if you want but you may want to increase the repeat rounds to make it a little bit longer 🙂 All the best, Rhondda
Hi Monica. You would work on both sides of the chain. So when you reach the end of the chain of 21, instead of turning and going back to the other side in top of the stitches you made, you rotate the beginning chain which you just worked into and work into the free loop on the opposite side of the initial chain. This allows you to crochet in rounds – not back and forth. Like you would on the sole of a slipper…maybe if you take a look at the bottom of one of these slippers you will understand what I am trying to say.
https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/fionas-baby-booties-free-pattern/
Let me know if this helps 🙂 Thanks! Rhondda
I am confused. When you say to go thru both layers, where am I getting 2 layers? Am I supposed to make 2 and stitch together?
Do you ha e a photo of what the beginning row should look like? I am not quite understanding what you mean by work in the bottom of the chain.
Thanks very nice blog!|
Hi Kerri, Very welcome for the Waistcoat Stitch Tutorial 🙂 It is one of my favorite stitches and it makes a fantastic, thick fabric.
I love how thick and consistent it works up. Look forward to trying the stitch out. Thank you for the tutorial.
I love making my own potholders and especially when they produce thick protection like this one. Also a great way to learn a new stitch.
Hi Jeri, I wrote this post to help explain how to print or save a pdf copy of my posts 🙂
https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/how-do-i-print-your-free-patterns/
It is super easy!
Have a lovely day,
Rhondda
How can I print this? I tried to copy and paste, but only the photos would copy.
If you try and have questions, just let me know 🙂 I’d be happy to help! Rhondda
Very welcome Abby 🙂
I will have to try this one day 🙂
I’ve been wanting to do this design. My first thought was it is done by knitting but now i know its done by crocheting. Thank you so much for the video
Oh good! I’m glad I could help 🙂 Let me know if you have any questions!
I’ve been wanting to try this stitch! Woohoo! 😀