Santa Claus Potholder Knitting Pattern

A free potholder knitting pattern that looks like Santa Claus – reversible

It’s only 2 days until Christmas and this year’s holidays will be different than any I celebrated before. My parents and I will be celebrating together without any relatives and without any of the customary visits to the neighbors, etc. As a result, we will probably spend a lot of time eating, drinking, and cooking. That’s why I came up with this little Santa Claus potholder knitting pattern.

Unlike so many of my other free patterns, this one is quite easy. It’s basically double stockinette stitch all the way – changing colors every couple of rows. You see, I wanted something reversible that didn’t require you to knit in the round. I feel it looks a bit weird if a potholder only has one side. On top of that, an extra layer can’t hurt when you are touching hot things with it, eh?

It only took me about 2 hours to finish this and you will only need a bit of scrap yarn. So, I’m sure you will be able to finish it in time as well. I know, I’m a bit late releasing this pattern. But quite frankly, I only came up with the idea yesterday.

That’s why I didn’t have the time to create a downloadable pdf yet (like I always do). But as the pattern is really simple, I’m sure you will manage.

Materials you will need:

• 35 grams total of the Catania Grande by Schachenmayr in red, white, and sand. Any other cotton yarn for needles size 4-5mm will work as well.
• Some black scrap yarn, toy eyes, or black beads.
• Knitting needles 4.5 mm / US size 7. I used the Knitter’s Pride dreamz
• A tapestry needle and scissors.
• A crochet hook

Potholder knitting pattern

This Santa Claus potholder is knit flat on two needles (so, no need to learn any complicated double knitting techniques). I do recommend you to keep a tight tension, though, as the double stockinette stitch tends to loosen up quite a bit.

1. Cast on 34 stitches
2. Row 1-18: *Purl 1, Slip 1 with yarn in front* using the white yarn
3. Row 19-21: change to the sand-colored yarn and *knit 1, sl1wyif*
4. Row 22-23: [k1, sl1wyif] 8 times, create a bobble*, sl1wyif, [k1, sl1wyif] 8 times
5. Row 24-38: continue in *k1, sl1wyif*
6. Row 39-40: Switch to the white yarn and *k1, sl1wyif*
7. Row 41-46: *p1, sl1wif*
8. Row 47-66: Switch to the red yarn *k1, sl1wyif*
9. Bind off all stitches

*Instructions for the bobble: Kfbf (increasing by 2), turn the work around, p3, turn around again k3. Then knit across 3 more rounds and then k3tog centered.

Once you are finished, create a hanger with a crochet hook by crocheting a couple of chain stitches. Use a tapestry needle to close the loop and weave in the ends through the bind-off edge.

For the beard, cut 32 strands of the white yarn (each around 5 inches long). Then, use the tapestry needle and attach two strands below each purl stitch of the first row using a simple hitch knot. (So, simple scarf fringes). Use a comb (or your fingers) to straighten out the fringes of the beard and then cut them into shape according to your preferences – either straight or rounded at the edges.

I did the eyes with some black scrap yarn doing simple french knots (wrapped 4 times). I didn’t weave in the tails but rather tied a knot through one of the french knots and cut it off directly.

Last, but not least, weave in the tails. It’s a bit more difficult than usual as the potholder has two sides. For the purl sections, I recommend you to go horizontally between the ribs connecting the purl stitches. And for the stocking stitch sections, I would stretch out two ribs vertically and go upwards (or downwards) through the little strands connecting the stitches (the same you would use for a mattress stitch).

THAT WAS MY LITTLE POTHOLDER KNITTING PATTERN FOR CHRISTMAS. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT. FEEL FREE TO ASK YOUR QUESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.