best yarn for potholders?

[melinda9723]

I have lots of ww yarn lying around and I want to use most of it up so I can go buy some more pretty colors so I was wondering what is the best yarn to use when making potholders and other kitchen decor? I read that some crocheters use 2 strands of yarn when making potholders and some basically crochet a front and back and sew then together. What is your thoughts on this? Thanks in advance.

[debinoz]

I use plain old acrylic for mine. It's fine as long as you don't throw it right on the burner. My cousin taught me an easy way to make potholders. Just make a chain as long as you want the PH to be diagonally, and crochet up and down both sides of the chain until it meets in the middle to make a sqaure. The only seaming needed is the closing one on the other diagonal. Hope that made sense!!

[kknittinfool]

I usually use cotton yarn like Peaches and Creme. I like the way it feels and works. I use 2 strands for a pot holder but only one when I make a dishcloth. I love the crocheted dishcloths so much that I refuse to buy them at the store.

[marykz]

I use cotton- the sugar and cream stuff. I crochet two sides with one strand each and then crochet them together. I just don't like working with two strands at the same time. I find I need a larger hook and I don't like the way it looks as much. Maybe with a thinner yarn it would be better.

I like cotton b/c it is absorbent, heat resistant, and washes in the washer and drier. I like the stiffness of the cotton when the potholder is double thickness.

[melinda9723]

since I have so much ww yarn and no money to go out and buy cotton I will use what I have for now but in the future I will make sure I have cotton yarn as well. Thanks everyone.

[Inis]

since I have so much ww yarn and no money to go out and buy cotton I will use what I have for now but in the future I will make sure I have cotton yarn as well. Thanks everyone.

If your pot holders are meant for gifts, please be sure to tell the recipient(s) if the holders are made from acrylic.

Handling hot baked casseroles may be a dangerous thing with acrylic pot holders as acrylic melts and burns easily.

[Yarnlady]

Handling hot baked casseroles may be a dangerous thing with acrylic pot holders as acrylic melts and burns easily.

The most dangerous thing, I think, is that it transfers heat. IOW, it doesn't really protect the hand from the heat.

If one is going to use acrylic for pot holders, I'd put a good layer of cotton/wool fabric between the two layers of acrylic. That will protect the hand, but not keep the acrylic from melting.

[Limey]

Hi

Nope - can't shake it off! I can still see it! Vividly!

Every time I see the word 'potholder', I'm reminded of the time I nearly put my back out hanging one up.

The old lady next door gave me a wonky step ladder and asked me to climb up and hang her little plant pot with the geraniums, inside the bright yellow macrame pot holder, swaying idly in the wind on her patio.

I don't know who had hung it there but if they'd used that tiny step ladder and had managed to fasten said macrame plant pot holder to the patio roof bit - then he/she must have been 7ft tall or the old duck had managed to flag down a passing orang-utan.

Yours, with an aching back

PS - We call the beasts you're on about either oven gloves or oven mitts

[momwolf]

Limey , not flower holders only you would think of pots for flowers .Haven't I taught you anything

[remclave]

Wool is best. It doesn't burn. It can, but I don't cook at 700+ deg F..... do you?

Cotton is an okay alternative but it will burn at around 375 deg F.