If you caught my Sunday Crafternoon Instagram video last week, you already got a sneak peek at this project. I wanted to bring you something a little more detailed, so here I am to teach you how to crochet a hot pad for beginners. This is one of my all-time favorite beginner crochet projects, and honestly, once you make one you will not stop. They’re fast, satisfying, practical, and they make the best handmade gifts.
These hot pads come together using just a few basic stitches- chain, single crochet, and slip stitch, which makes them perfect if you’re just getting started with crochet. Each one finishes at 6.5″ x 6.5″ (not including the hanging loop), and the best part? Each hot pad only costs about $2.50 to make. That’s it. One ball of yarn per pad and you’re done.
What You’ll Need
- Cotton yarn (120 yards, 2.5 oz) — one ball per hot pad
- 5.0 mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
⚠️ Important Note on Yarn:
You must use 100% cotton yarn for these hot pads if you plan to use them with actual heat. Acrylic yarn will melt when it comes into contact with a hot pan or dish, which is both a safety hazard and a disappointment after all your hard work. Cotton is heat-resistant and gets the job done safely. The Loops & Threads Classic Cotton from Michaels is a great affordable option, and you can usually find it for around $2.50 a ball.
Skills You’ll Need to Know
Don’t worry if you’re brand new to crochet! This project only requires four basic techniques. Here’s a quick overview of each before we dive into the pattern:
Slip Knot
The slip knot is how you attach your yarn to your hook to get started. Make a loop with your yarn, pull a second loop of yarn through the first loop, and place it on your hook. Pull gently to tighten. Every crochet project starts here!
video tutorial for reference
Chain (CH)
The chain stitch is the foundation of most crochet projects. With your slip knot on the hook, wrap the yarn over the hook (called a “yarn over”) and pull it through the loop already on your hook. That’s one chain stitch! Repeat to create a chain of the desired length.
video tutorial for reference
Single Crochet (SC)
The single crochet is the main stitch used throughout this entire pattern. Insert your hook into a stitch, yarn over and pull through (you now have two loops on your hook), yarn over again and pull through both loops. That completes one single crochet.
video tutorial for reference
Slip Stitch (SL ST)
The slip stitch is a very short connecting stitch used mainly for joining or finishing. Insert your hook into a stitch, yarn over and pull through both the stitch AND the loop on your hook in one motion. That’s it — it’s the quickest stitch in crochet!
video tutorial for reference
How to Crochet a Hot Pad
Now that you have your basic skills down, here’s the full pattern:
Step 1: Start Your Chain
Make a slip knot and chain 41. This chain becomes the diagonal of your finished hot pad, so the length of your starting chain determines the final size. With a 5.0mm hook and cotton yarn, 41 chains will give you a finished pad of approximately 6.5″ x 6.5″.
Step 2: Single Crochet Across
Single crochet in each chain stitch all the way to the end of your chain.
Step 3: Continue Around (Don’t Turn!)
This is the key step that makes this hot pad so unique and fun. When you reach the end of your chain, do not turn your work like you normally would in a flat crochet project. Instead, continue around and single crochet into each stitch along the unused side of the foundation chain.
Important: Do NOT chain 1 at the beginning of each round as you might in other patterns- just continue working single crochet stitches in each stitch all the way around without any chains between rounds.
Step 4: Keep Going in the Round
Continue working single crochet in each stitch, going around and around as if you’re crocheting in the round. As you work, your hot pad will go through a few visual stages:
- First it will look like a flat strip
- Then it will slowly curve into a boat shape
- Then pockets will begin to form on each end
- Finally, the two sides will start to touch in the middle
That last stage (when the two sides are touching) is your signal that it’s time to finish!
Step 5: Finish Off
Once the two sides of your hot pad are touching, it’s time to bring it all together. Fold your work so that the side you want facing outward is on the outside, positioning your last stitch at one of the corner points.
To close the hot pad, you’re going to slip stitch the two open sides together. Working along the edge, insert your hook under the back loop of a stitch on one side and complete your slip stitch. Then insert your hook under the back loop of the corresponding stitch on the opposite side and complete another slip stitch. Continue alternating this way, one slip stitch on each side, all the way along the edge until both sides are fully joined. Video for reference (start at 12 minutes)
When you reach the end, fasten off and weave in your ends through a few nearby stitches to keep everything secure. Give it a little tug to make sure nothing is coming loose — and just like that, your hot pad is done!
Bonus: How to Add a Hanging Loop
This is my preference when I’m making these, and one of my favorite little upgrades! Adding a loop means you can hang your hot pads from a hook in your kitchen, which keeps them easily accessible and honestly looks really cute too.
Here’s how to make the loop (you can see how to do this at 14:50 of this video):
- Chain 10
- Slip stitch to the corner point of your hot pad to form a circle with the chains
- Work 15 single crochets around the loop
- Slip stitch again to the corner point of the hot pad (feel free to add 2 if you feel like it needs a stronger hold)
- Tie off and weave in your ends
That’s it! Your hot pad now has a sturdy, tidy loop at one corner ready to hang.
Tips for Success
- Tension matters: if your hot pad is turning out rectangular instead of square, it’s likely a tension issue. Try to keep your stitches consistent throughout. It gets easier the more you make!
- Chain a little tighter than usual for the foundation chain: this helps prevent visible holes along the diagonal center of the finished pad
- Don’t worry if your first one isn’t perfect: this is one of those patterns that gets better and more intuitive with every single one you make. Most people are on their third or fourth before they feel totally comfortable (including me)
- These make incredible gifts: a set of two or three in coordinating colors is one of the most thoughtful handmade kitchen gifts you can give
How Long Does It Take?
This varies depending on your crochet speed and experience level. If you’re already comfortable with single crochet, you can finish one in about an hour. If you’re newer to crochet, plan for a few hours! This is a great project to work on while watching TV or listening to a podcast.
These little hot pads are one of my most reached-for things in my kitchen, and I love that I made them myself. If you give this pattern a try, please tag me on Instagram @tarahillhome, I would absolutely love to see yours! And if you have any questions at all, drop them in the comments below. 🧶
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