The Simple Shell Potholder is a classic crochet design that’s both functional and decorative. With its elegant shell pattern and timeless color, this project is perfect for adding a vintage charm to your kitchen or gifting to friends and family. The use of double-threaded crochet thread creates a durable yet delicate texture, ensuring it stands up to regular use while maintaining its beauty.
The shell pattern creates a soft, textured surface ideal for handling hot pots and pans. Alternating shells and slip stitches in the design add a beautiful scalloped effect, while the dark yellow color brings a touch of warmth and cheer. The pattern is worked from side to side, with shells built into the back loops of stitches for a subtle yet effective design element.
This potholder is finished with a sturdy bone ring for easy hanging and display. Whether you’re using it for practical purposes or as a decorative accent, the Simple Shell Potholder is a delightful addition to any vintage-inspired kitchen.
About the Images
To help bring this design to life, we’ve included an AI-generated image of the finished pattern alongside the original vintage illustration. The original image highlights the charm and craftsmanship of the vintage design, while the AI rendering provides a detailed and colorized view of how the completed sweater will look. This combination ensures you have both a historical reference and a modern interpretation to guide you in your crafting journey.
This pattern is transformed, adapted, and expanded from a public domain design originally published in Potholders by The Spool Cotton Company Book No. 222 (1945). While the original design is in the public domain, the rewritten instructions and supplementary content on this site are © Tiffany Bliss Mullins, 2025. All rights reserved. Have questions about this pattern, public domain, or copyright? Visit the FAQ page for answers and resources.
Simple Shell Potholder Pattern
Materials:
- Size 10 crochet thread (1 ball of Dark Yellow; the pattern originally used J. & P. Coats Knit-Cro-Sheen).
- Alternatively, you can use lightweight #1 yarn. Be sure to check your gauge and adjust your hook size if needed.
- Steel Crochet Hook No. 5
- A bone ring
Gauge: Ensure that your shell pattern creates a dense, durable fabric for heat protection.
Instructions:
Foundation Row:
- Using a double strand of thread, make a chain 7 inches long.
Row 1:
- In the 5th chain from the hook, work 3 treble crochets (tr), chain 1, and 4 more tr in the same stitch to form a shell.
- Skip 1 chain, slip stitch (sl st) in the next chain, skip 1 chain; in the next chain, work 4 tr, ch 1, and 4 tr to form another shell.
- Repeat from * across the chain, ending with 4 tr in the last chain. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2:
- In the back loop of the sl st (located between shells), work 4 tr, ch 1, and 4 tr (shell); sl st in the ch-1 space of the next shell.
- Repeat from * across, ending with 4 tr in the last stitch of the last shell. Ch 1, turn.
Repeat Row 2:
- Continue repeating Row 2 until the piece forms a square.
Last Row:
- Work 4 tr in the back loop of each sl st and 1 sl st in each ch-1 space across the row to create a finished edge. Break off and fasten securely.
Finishing:
- Sew the bone ring securely to one corner of the potholder for hanging.
Your Simple Shell Potholder is now complete!
