I'm happy to join Kat and the Unravelers today with something a little different. Monday was a fairly nice day weather-wise, but it was 93 yesterday and today it's supposed to get up to 95. I couldn't face working on my HotM shawl; my hands feel even stickier when I knit with wool and it lies across my lap and makes me feel even hotter (and grumpier). So I started thinking about Christmas presents again.
Ryan insists that I've knit him quite enough socks, hats, fingerless gloves, and even Hitchhikers, but he has said that he could use some potholders. I spent time perusing Ravelry and while there are knitted potholders, a great many of them are crocheted. That is definitely not my forte, but I would be working with cotton and it wouldn't be in my lap making me hotter, so why not give it a whirl?
I found a pattern that seemed easy enough (I can do single crochet and count!) with the added benefit that it made me laugh. Topflappen (rav link) means potholder in German, so I started crocheting topflappen.
My first attempt was with Sugar 'n Cream yarn and a crochet hook that was too small. I stopped and unraveled because this topflappen was far too stiff, in fact, almost bulletproof. I unraveled it and went in search of better yarn and larger crochet hooks.
After making an even bigger mess of my stash closet, I did find some Peaches & Creme which felt slightly nicer, and a few bigger crochet hooks. My next attempt wasn't quite so stiff, but it's still not a real pleasure to crochet.
I think I'll finish this one, wash it, try it out, and see if it's gift-worthy. I also have some Dishie cotton which feels nicer, so I may try that, but I think that I just don't enjoy crochet very much, so there's not much use blaming the yarn and hooks.
I did have what seems like a good idea while I was writing this, and it might be worth pursuing. I found a couple of dragon potholder patterns that I think Ryan would like (they're knit - hooray!) that I could make, knit plain backs, and sandwich them together so they would be thick enough for serviceable potholders. That might happen sooner rather than later if this summer continues the way it's started.
I read three books last week and due to some long-ish reviews, I'll put them all in a separate post on Friday. I'll let you be the judge of whether they are long-winded or detailed!
What are you making and reading this week?
A bullet proof potholder! LOL. That line cracked me up. I'm plugging away on my shakerag skirt and the second fairy maiden sock. I sit under a ceiling fan while knitting the skirt and even though it sits in my lap, the yarn is linen & cotton, so not as hot as wool! Looking forward to your book post on Friday!
ReplyDeleteI am joining Vera and chuckling at that bullet proof potholder! Crochet always makes me feel like I have 10 thumbs and they have no idea how to work together! Ha! Good luck on your potholder quest! (I am all about heel flaps today!)
ReplyDelete"Topflappen" almost sounds like a made-up word! The good thing about making potholders is that they're very forgiving if your crochet is a little wonky (though, for the record, your crochet looks fine to me).
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your book reviews -- I'm glad to see you enjoyed Piglet!
I used to crochet potholders . . . WAY back in the day. I never used a pattern, though. Just crocheted two big round shapes and slapped them together with some sort of border. (I still have a few . . . they've lasted nearly 50 years . . . ) I think the dragon potholders sound MUCH nicer! (It is much cooler here in Michigan now, but we are having heavy, heavy rains . . . and ALL THE MOSQUITOes that come with that.)
ReplyDeleteI can't crochet worth beans so it all looks good to me. At least you've got some nice straight edges. Anything I crochet looks like a drunk monkey did it.
ReplyDeleteI just don't like crochet! When I looked it the not-so-bulletproof potholder this morning I didn't even feel like finishing it, but I've got a boring Zoom call coming up so it will at least keep me from going crazy during that. Then I'm done with crochet for a long time!
DeleteFor potholders, I always go to my Harrisville potholder loom. The loops are high quality cotton and they come in great colors. I prefer the PRO loom which makes a good size for a functional potholder (we use the "traditional" loom to make coasters). There are endless variations of plain weave and even more endless variations of fancy patterns, which you can find for free on Piglet's Potholder Patterns website (https://potholders.piglet.org/). I can whip out a potholder in an hour. They make great host/ess gifts. Someone even commissioned me to make a dozen for family Christmas gifts a few years ago because she liked the ones I made her so much!
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm a little obsessed with this tiny art form. IT'S SO FUN to weave potholders. I invite you into my rabbithole: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jlw_in_pa/albums/72177720305882740
I agree! There is no better potholder in the world than a potholder woven on a Harrisville loom. It's fun, creative, and they last forever. I have tried lots of other types of potholders, but these can't be beat!
DeletePurl Soho just published a Double-Thick Potholder that's knit. I'm always worried about knitted or crocheted potholders not being thick enough (or too holey) to work very well as functional potholders.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.purlsoho.com/create/2022/07/21/double-thick-pot-holder
My favorite pot holders are the ones I make on the Harrisville loom and I highly suggest investing in one. You can make ALL the colors and they make excellent gifts!
ReplyDeleteAgree! Bonny you should consider this, unless you already know you don't like to make them.
DeleteTopflappen is a great word.
ReplyDeleteI haven't crocheted in ages. I made blankets for the kids when they were kids. Your projects look lovely!! I'm working on three projects: leg warmers, lace scarf and mittens.
ReplyDeleteYou have seen my comments above. I say if you don't like crochet don't do it! It's unnecessary, and life is too short.
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ReplyDeleteTopflappen. I love that word!
I know you don’t love crochet, but your stitches are so nice and even! (I’ll bet it gets to be tight work, though. And that’s hard on the hands. Mine, at least.) The dragon idea sounds logical—and fun!
I'm finishing this crocheted topflappen, but I've taken the recommendation of several people and ordered a Harrisville potholder loom and loops. I think it will be fun, and like Becky said above, life is too short to crochet if you don't enjoy it. Now I'm just waiting for my loom and loops!
DeleteI'm impressed that you're crafting potholders! woven, crocheted, knitted ... I'd have zero confidence they'd withstand the oven!
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