The Petalwood Potholder Free Pattern – A Knitted Bloom for Your Kitchen

Turn your kitchen into a cozy garden with this knitted potholder shaped like a blooming petunia. Featuring a thick, heat-resistant texture and a charming wooden ring accent, this delightful project adds handmade warmth to everyday cooking. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or a curious beginner, this pattern is designed to be approachable, rewarding, and utterly charming. Let's get those needles clicking and create something beautiful together!

Materials Needed

Before we dive into the stitches, let's gather everything you'll need. This project is wonderfully portable and uses simple, readily available materials.

• Yarn: Worsted weight 100% cotton yarn in three colors:
  • Deep Fuchsia (MC) – for the flower petals
  • Soft Sage (CC1) – for the backing
  • Cream (CC2) – for the center and optional border
  Approximately 120 yards total.
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles
• Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends
• Optional: A 2-inch wooden ring for hanging

Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (after blocking). Gauge is important for the final size, but since this is a potholder, a slight variation won't ruin the project.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This potholder is knitted flat in one piece, then folded and seamed to create a double-layer petal effect. The flower is worked from the center outward, with each petal shaped using increases and decreases. Don't worry – we'll take it step by step!

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• K2tog: Knit two together (decrease)
• Kfb: Knit front and back (increase)
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• RS: Right side
• WS: Wrong side

Center of Flower (Worked First)

We'll start with the heart of our petunia – the cream-colored center disc. This piece is worked flat and will later be attached to the petals.

1. With MC (Deep Fuchsia), CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1 (RS): Kfb across (12 sts).
3. Row 2: Purl.
4. Row 3: Kfb, K to last st, Kfb (14 sts).
5. Row 4: Purl.
6. Row 5: Kfb, K to last st, Kfb (16 sts).
7. Rows 6-10: Stockinette (K on RS, P on WS) for 5 rows.
8. Row 11: K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog (14 sts).
9. Row 12: Purl.
10. Row 13: K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog (12 sts).
11. Row 14: Purl.
12. Bind off all sts. This forms the center disc. Set it aside.

Petal 2 (Make 4 More Separately)

Now we'll create the five beautiful fuchsia petals. The first petal is attached to the center, but we'll knit all five the same way and seam them together later.

1. With MC (Deep Fuchsia), CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1 (RS): Kfb, K to last st, Kfb (12 sts).
3. Row 2: Purl.
4. Row 3: Kfb, K to last st, Kfb (14 sts).
5. Row 4: Purl.
6. Row 5: Kfb, K to last st, Kfb (16 sts).
7. Rows 6-12: Stockinette for 7 rows.
8. Row 13: K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog (14 sts).
9. Row 14: Purl.
10. Row 15: K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog (12 sts).
11. Row 16: Purl.
12. Bind off all sts. Repeat this entire process to make a total of 5 petals.

Assembly

This is where the magic happens! We'll bring all the pieces together to form our petunia.

1. Arrange the Flower: Lay out the center disc and 5 petals in a flower shape, overlapping the petals slightly at the base. This creates a natural, layered look.
2. Attach Petals: Using MC yarn and a tapestry needle, whipstitch the petals together at the base where they overlap. Then, attach the center disc on top of the petal bases, sewing it securely in place.
3. Create the Backing: For the protective back layer, switch to CC1 (Soft Sage). CO 20 sts and knit in garter stitch (K every row) for 20 rows. Bind off. This creates a simple, sturdy square backing that will protect your hands from heat.
4. Join Flower and Backing: Place the flower on top of the sage backing, aligning the center. Sew the flower to the backing along the edges using a whipstitch. Important: Leave a small opening (about 2 inches) at the top of the potholder.
5. Insert the Ring (Optional): If you're using the wooden ring for hanging, insert it through the opening. Sew the ring securely inside the opening, then close the seam completely.

Finishing

Almost done! A few final touches will make your potholder look professionally made.

1. Weave in Ends: Using your tapestry needle, carefully weave in all loose yarn ends on the wrong side of the work. This ensures your potholder is durable and neat.
2. Block Gently: To shape your potholder and even out the stitches, gently block it. You can do this by lightly misting it with water and laying it flat to dry, shaping the petals as desired.
3. Decorative Edge (Optional): For a polished finish and extra thickness, use CC2 (Cream) and a crochet hook to single crochet around the entire edge of the potholder. This adds a beautiful, neat border that complements the cream center.

Your Petalwood Potholder is now complete and ready to hang or use! This charming piece not only protects your hands but also brings a touch of garden-inspired coziness to your kitchen. Enjoy your handmade creation, and don't be surprised if friends and family start requesting one of their own!