Hi guys! It’s time for our 7th potholder in the crochet-along. Introducing the Follow your Heart Potholder. This potholder uses a combination of half double crochets, double crochets, and puff stitches to create a beautiful heart pattern.
This potholder is trickier than previous potholders, but I hope you’re up for the challenge! You can find the free written pattern with step-by-step pictures below, along with the complete video tutorial.
If you’re new to the crochet-along, and would like to learn more, you can find everything you need to know here.
If you prefer to print the pattern and avoid ads, you can find the printable PDF here.
Previous Potholders:
- Potholder #1: Double Crochet
- Potholder #2: Single Crochet
- Potholder #3: Summer Sunsets
- Potholder #4: Lacy Dainty
- Potholder #5: Suzi
- Potholder #6: Stroll in the Park
- Potholder #7: Follow your Heart (this post)
- Potholder #8: Cinnamon Spice
- Potholder #9: Mystic Trail
- Potholder #10: Bejeweled
- Potholder #11: Riding the Waves
- Potholder #12: Love Bomb
- Potholder #13: Written in the Stars
Pin this Puff Stitch Heart Potholder – HERE!
Important Links / Schedule:
Materials:
Yarn:
- I Love this Cotton Yarn, Weight 4 Medium Worsted Yarn (100% Cotton, 180 yd / 165 m, 3.5 oz / 100 g)
- Colour: Serene Spa (1 Skein) OR Sage (1 Skein)
*Yarn Note:
Yardage:
Total: 180 yds / 165 m
Front, Back and Seam of the Potholder:
Abbreviations:
Gauge: Approximately 17 sts x 10 rows = 4” x 4”
Sts include both hdc and PS.
- If your gauge is too small (more than 17 sts or 10 rows), try using a thicker weight 4 yarn or a larger crochet hook.
- If your gauge is too big (less than 17 sts or 10 rows), try using a thinner weight 4 yarn or a smaller crochet hook. You can also try adjusting your tension.
Pattern Measurements & Construction:
Customize the Size of your Puff Stitch Heart Potholder:
The Ad-free Printable PDF for the Follow your Heart Puff Stitch Heart Potholder is available as an individual PDF pattern on Ravelry and Etsy; or as a Crochet Along bundle, which includes written instructions for all 13 patterns on Ravelry or Etsy!
Puff Stitch (PS) Tutorial:
Step 1: YO, and insert the hook into indicated st or PuffSp.
Step 2: YO and draw up a loop – there should be 3 loops on the hook.
Step 3: Repeat Steps 1 – 2, two more times – there should be 7 loops on the hook.
Step 4: YO and pull through the first 6 loops on the hook – there should be 2 loops remaining on the hook.
Step 5: YO and pull through the last 2 loops to close the st.
PuffSp Tutorial:
To limit the holes in this potholder, there is no chain-space between the puff stitch pairs.
- Since there is no ch-1 between the PS, insert your hook between the first and second PS of the previous rnd.
- Make 2 PS in this space.
Video Tutorial:
Pattern:
- Stitch counts are given at the end of each rnd in <> brackets.
- The beginning ch 1 of each rnd does not count as a st.
- Mark the first st of each rnd with a stitch marker!
- Do not turn at the end of each rnd.
- After Rnd 1, sk the first st of each rnd, so that the seam stays straight along the side of the potholder (otherwise the seam will shift to the right every rnd).
- Rnd 4 is different from other rnds. The addition of the dc sts in Rnd 4 ensures that the back side is the same height as the front side of the potholder.
- If you find that you are gaining an extra st each rnd, you might be crocheting into your slip stitch join by mistake. To fix this, mark the last st of each rnd with a stitch marker.
- It’s normal for your puff stitch columns to slant to the left as you crochet. This will be fixed when we crochet the potholder closed (see explanation below).
With Colour A, ch 33.
Rnd 1:
- Hdc in second ch from hook – mark with a stitch marker.
- Hdc in each ch across until 1 ch remains.
- 2 hdc in last ch.
- Rotate your work 180 degrees clockwise, so you are working along the bottom of the chain.
- Sk last ch with 2 hdc. Hdc in next ch and in each ch across.
- Sl st into the first st of the rnd to join.
- Do not turn.
Stitch Count: 64 hdc
Rnd 2:
- Ch 1, sk first marked hdc.
- Hdc in next 4 sts.
- 2 PS in next st.
- [Sk 1 st, hdc in next 5 sts, 2 PS in next st] 3 times.
- Sk 1 st, hdc in next 36 sts.
- Hdc in skipped st.
- Sl st in first hdc of the rnd to join.
- Mark first hdc of Rnd 2 with a stitch marker.
Stitch Count: 56 hdc, 8 PS
Rnd 3:
- Ch 1, sk first marked hdc.
- Hdc in next 4 sts (3 hdc and PS).
- 2 PS in PuffSp.
- [Sk 2 sts (PS and hdc), hdc in next 5 sts (4 hdc and PS), 2 PS in PuffSp] 3 times.
- Sk 2 sts (PS and hdc), hdc in next 36 sts.
- Hdc in skipped st.
- Sl st in first hdc of the rnd to join.
- Mark first hdc of rnd with a stitch marker.
Stitch Count: 56 hdc, 8 PS
*Rnd 4:
- Ch 1, sk first marked hdc.
- Hdc in next 4 sts (3 hdc and PS).
- 2 PS in PuffSp.
- [Sk 2 sts (PS and hdc), hdc in next 5 sts (4 hdc and PS), 2 PS in PuffSp] 3 times.
- Sk 2 sts (PS and hdc), hdc in next 4 sts.
- Dc in remaining 32 sts.
- Hdc in skipped st.
- Sl st in first hdc of the rnd to join.
- Mark first hdc of rnd with a stitch marker.
Stitch Count: 24 hdc, 32 dc, 8 PS
Rnds 5 – 8: Repeat Rnd 3.
Rnd 9: Repeat Rnd 4.
Rnds 10 – 13: Repeat Rnd 3.
Rnd 14: Repeat Rnd 4.
Rnds 15 – 18: Repeat Rnd 3.
Rnd 19: Repeat Rnd 4.
Do not fasten off, as you will need this yarn for closing the top of the potholder. Weave in all ends (except for the current yarn strand).
Note: Columns Slanting
As you crochet more rounds in your potholder, you may notice that your puff stitch columns slant a little to the left (Picture 1). You are not doing anything wrong. This is completely normal and will be fixed when we crochet the top of the potholder closed. Closing the potholder, shifts our stitches back to their rightful place, and the columns will be straight (Picture 2).
Crocheting the Potholder Closed:
- Lay the potholder flat, making sure the front side is facing you, and line up the front and back stitches.
- Mark the last st of the final rnd with a stitch marker.
- Ch 1, insert hook into first st on the front, and the matching st on the back of the potholder – marked by stitch marker, and make a hdc.
- Hdc in each st (hdc and PS) across, inserting the hook into the matching front and back st to join. Do not fasten off.
- Stitch Count: 31 – 32 hdc
Adding a Ch-Circle:
- After making the final hdc, ch 13 (Picture 1).
- Insert hook into front loop and two front bars of last hdc (going on a diagonal). Make a sl st to close the ch-circle. (Picture 2 & 3)
- Fasten off, leave a tail, and weave in the last end (Picture 4, 5, 6, 7).
Questions?
If you have any questions as you work through the pattern, please reach out to me. I am happy to help! Send me an email through my contact page or ask in the Facebook CAL Group.
Other Crochet Potholders You’ll Love!
End Notes:
Congratulations! You just finished your first Follow your Heart Crochet Potholder. I hope you enjoyed making it.
If you’d like to make more potholders, or other crochet home decor items with your cotton yarn, explore some patterns by clicking on the button below:
The 8th potholder will be released on October 9th, 2024!
Disclaimer: You are welcome to sell items that you’ve made from this pattern; however, you are not allowed to use my pictures or sell my pattern as your own (Copyright @ ThisPixieCreates).
Please share pictures of anything and everything related to the 2024 Potholders Galore Crochet-along in the Facebook Group HERE. I can’t wait to see your lovely potholder(s)!
I hope you have a wonderful day, and happy crocheting!
Sincerely,
Dayna