The Kitten (or Cat) Potholder crochet pattern is a delightful way to add a touch of whimsy to your kitchen or gift someone a handmade treasure. Its playful design captures the charm of a curious kitten, complete with detailed facial features, cute ears, and vibrant colors. Originally created with practical use in mind, this potholder doubles as a decorative piece, showcasing the artistry and functionality of vintage crochet.
Crafted using double strands of thread, the pattern offers a durable and sturdy potholder perfect for everyday use. The thoughtful details—embroidered whiskers, sequins for eyes, and a felt-lined face—transform a simple kitchen item into a charming character. Whether you’re a beginner looking to enhance your skills or an experienced crocheter seeking a quick project, this pattern is both engaging and rewarding.
If you enjoy working with small details, such as embroidery and felt applications, this pattern will provide the perfect opportunity to combine crochet with other crafting techniques. The playful design makes it an ideal addition to your vintage-inspired collection or a wonderful gift for cat lovers.
This pattern is transformed, adapted, and expanded from a public domain design originally published in Coats & Clark’s Quick Tricks to Crochet Book No. 326 (1956). While the original design is in the public domain, the rewritten instructions and supplementary content are ©Tiffany Bliss Mullins, 2024. All rights reserved. Have questions about this pattern, public domain, or copyright? Visit the FAQ page for answers and resources.
Key Details
- Pattern Type: Vintage-inspired crochet potholder
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Finished Size: Approximately 6-7 inches in diameter
- Techniques Used: Double crochet, increasing, decreasing, embroidery, and felt embellishment
- Special Features: Embroidered whiskers, sequined eyes, and lined face for added character and durability
Materials
- Thread:
- J. & P. Coats “Knit-Cro-Sheen,” Art. A.64: 2 balls of No. 64-C Charcoal
- Coats & Clark’s O.N.T. Six Strand Embroidery Floss, Art. C.11: Few yards each of No. 65 Beauty Pink and No. 12 Black
- Hook: Steel Crochet Hook, Size 10
- Felt: Scraps of pink, white, and grey felt for embellishments
- Accessories:
- 2 gold beads (for eyes)
- 2 green sequins (for pupils)
- 1 gold sequin (for the nose)
- 1 (3/4 inch) wooden ring (optional for hanging)
Abbreviations
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rnd: round
- dec: decrease
Crochet Pattern
Head:
- Start the Round: Using Charcoal thread (held double), ch 4. Work 11 dc into the first chain. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the starting chain.
- Increase Rounds:
- Round 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in each stitch around. Join.
- Rounds 3-5: Ch 3, 2 dc in the next stitch, 1 dc in the next. Repeat from * around. Join.
- Round 6: Ch 3, 2 dc in the next stitch, 1 dc in the next 2 stitches. Repeat from * around. Join.
- Round 7: Ch 3, 2 dc in the next stitch, 1 dc in the next 3 stitches. Repeat from * around. Join.
- Rounds 8-10: Continue as established, increasing evenly in each round, ensuring the increases do not overlap previous increases.
Shape the Face:
- Ch 3, dc in the next 50 stitches. Ch 3, turn.
- Work over these stitches only for shaping:
- Row 2: Dc decrease over the first 2 stitches, dc across to the last 2 stitches, dc decrease over the last 2 stitches. Ch 3, turn.
- Rows 3-9: Continue decreasing 2 stitches at the beginning and end of each row. Break off at the end of Row 9.
Back of Head:
- With the right side of the head facing, attach Charcoal to the 45th stitch from the left edge of the face.
- Ch 3, dc in the next 50 stitches. Ch 3, turn.
- Complete the back exactly as for the face.
Assembly and Embellishments:
- Eyes: Cut two small circles of white felt. Sew these in place, then attach green sequins to the centers using gold beads.
- Nose and Mouth: Sew a gold sequin in place for the nose. Use pink floss to embroider the mouth and black floss for the whiskers.
- Tongue: Cut a small tongue shape from pink felt and sew it below the mouth.
- Ears: Line the ears with pink felt.
Finish the Potholder:
- Line the face and back of the head with grey felt.
- Fold the head in half with the wrong sides facing. Sew around the edges, leaving the outer edges of the ears free.
- Wooden Ring (Optional): Use one strand of Charcoal to single crochet around the wooden ring and sew it to the top of the head for hanging.
A Fun and Functional Project
The Kitten Potholder combines practicality and charm, making it an ideal addition to your kitchen or a unique handmade gift. With its adorable details and vintage flair, this project offers both functionality and a touch of personality. Once completed, this potholder is sure to brighten your space and earn compliments from anyone who sees it. Enjoy the process, and happy crocheting!
