Last Updated on December 24, 2022

This lovely texture crochet hot pad is both practical and beautiful. The pot holder worked really quickly, it’s a great stash-busting project to use up all your leftover yarn scraps.

I’m sure you are going to love the Tree Branch Hot Pad with its unique crochet texture, and once you make one you would want to make more of them!

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What Kind of Yarn is Best for Hot Pads?

The best yarn to use when making a crochet pot holder, or any item that is used with high temperatures, or got the chance of getting wet, is 100% cotton yarn.

Acrylic yarn is not recommended as it can melt and get deformed when is exposed to high temperatures.

For the crochet hot pad in the photos, I used a local (Israeli) Worsted weight yarn brand. I do recommend using at least Worsted weight yarn or thicker when making a pot holder, to keep it thick enough so you won’t get burnt.
More optional yarn for this project would be:
Knit Picks – Dishie
Lily Sugar n’ Cream
Premier Home Cotton Blend

So What is the Tree Branch Crochet Stitch, You Ask?

The crochet branch stitch has a wonderful texture and it is easier than it looks. It’s kind of a dense version of the Spike Granny stitch (just without the ch-1 space).

The Branch stitch uses the double crochet stitch, in a way of working 3 double crochet stitches in every gap (between 2 posts) while the second double crochet stitch is a Spike stitch worked 2 rows below.

The addition of the spike stitch, like in the Alternating Spike Single Crochet stitch (which is also great for a hot pad!), creates a dense fabric and makes it perfect as a hot pad, this stitch will also make a very nice blanket and scarf.

You can find the ad-free PDF pattern with the full photo-tutorial at one of my shops below:

More crochet stitches that are perfect for hotpad:

Corner to Corner Wattle Stitch
Iris Stitch in a Square
Aletnating Spike Single Crochet stitch
Moss Stitch in a Square
Corner to Corner Cluster Stitch

Tree Branch Hot Pad Pattern

Materials
– 4.0 / G mm Crochet hook (I love the Etimo and Clover hooks).
– Worsted (#4) weight yarn. Suitable yarn for this design:
Knit PIcks – Dishie
Lily Sugar n’ Cream
Premier Home Cotton Blend
– Total amount of yarn needed: 50gr/84m/92yds

Skill level – easy

Gauge (in Tree Branch stitch) – 20 sts and 11 rows = 4 in/10 cm with 4.0mm / G hook.

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Abbreviations (US)

ch – chain
st – stitch
ss – slip stitch
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
SP – Spike: work st into 2 rows below (instead of 1 row below as in regular st)

Finished size – 7.5×7.5in (19x19cm)

Notes

ch2/ch3 at beginning of the row counts as 1dc.
You can change the size by keeping a multiple of 4 chains.
The gauge is not crucial in this pattern.
To check gauge, ch24 and work pattern until row 3 and repeat this row (the width is more important than the height).
This is also a great stitch for blankets and washcloths!
I didn’t feel the need to add a border, because of the nature of the stitch. You can add a border if you feel it’s needed.
The Tree Branch Hot Pad was featured on the Summer Vibes Blog Hop which is hosted by Susanna from Fosbas Designs.

Tree Branch Hot Pad Instructions

Ch 36

Row 1: 3dc in 4^th ch from hook, * skip 3 ch, 3dc in next ch; repeat from * to last 4 ch, 2dc in last ch

turn. (27 dc)

Row 2: ch2, skip 2 dc, working in between posts: [1dc, 1SPdc in 2^nd ch, 1dc].
* skip 3 dc, working in between posts: [1dc, 1SPdc in 2^nd ch, 1dc]; Repeat from * to last 4 dc, 2dc in ch-3, turn.

Prefer a detailed step-by-step photo tutorial?
Get the premium, ad free, printable PDF version on Ravelry or Etsy!

Row 3: ch2, skip 2 dc, working in between posts: [1dc, 1SPdc in 2^nd dc, 1dc].
* skip 3 dc, working in between posts: [1dc, 1SPdc in 2^nd dc, 1dc]; Repeat from * to last 4 dc, 2dc in ch-2, turn.

Repeat row 3 until your work measures 7.5in (19cm), or until it is tall as it is wide (a perfect square), then continue to row 4 (closing).

Row 4: ch1, 1sc in 1^st dc, skip 1 dc, working in between posts: 1SPhdc in 2^nd dc.
* 1sc in next 2 dc, skip 1 dc, working in between posts: 1SPhdc in 2^nd dc; Repeat from * to last 3 dc, 1sc in next 2 dc, skip dc, 1sc in ch-2.

Making a loop for your crochet hot pad:

Ch8, ss to last sc from row 4, turn your work.
Work 18-20 sc into the ch-8 loop, ss to last sc from row 4.

Did you try this out? Let me know how it went and leave a comment below or tag me @madebygootie !

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