Potholders are quick and functional knitting projects. If you want your finished object to be usable you need to use a yarn that is heat-resistant, washable, and durable.
What to Look for in a Yarn for Potholders
- Heat-resistant is quite obviously required quality. You don’t want your potholder to melt or catch fire if it comes into contact with a hot surface.
- Washability and easy care are important too since potholders are used in circumstances where they might get spills and stains.
- Durability is good quality as well since these products get a lot of use and washing.
What are the Best Fibers for Potholders
The two best options for potholders are wool and cotton.
- Cotton is both heat-resistant and durable. It can also be machine-washed and dried, making it easy to care for.
- Wool is another good option that is heat-resistant and durable. It is also naturally stain-resistant but it needs to be washed with care and dried flat. Just make sure that you use pure wool and not sock yarn with nylon in it because the plastic might melt.
What Other Qualities to Look for in the Yarn?
- Thickness: Thicker yarns are more heat resistant than thinner yarns but you can also use thinner yarns if you hold it double. Another option is also to knit or crochet in the round which makes the fabric double with air in between the fabrics resulting your finished object to be more heat resistant.
- Plies and twist: Multi-ply and high twist yarns are durable and I would prefer them over single-ply or low twist yarns. You can improve the durability also by knitting or crocheting with a tighter gauge.
- Superwash vs. non-superwash wool: If you choose wool you can use either superwash or non-superwash yarn. Superwash is easier to care but non-superwash wools can be felted. Felting makes the fabric more durable and super insulating.
Avoid These
Avoid synthetic fibers, especially those made of plastic.
- Acrylic is not a good choice for potholders because it melts easily.
- Polyester melts as well.
Best Yarns for Potholders
KnitPicks Dishie
This yarn is a hardworking worsted weight 100% cotton yarn with a tight spin and high absorbency. This makes Dishie not only easy to knit and crochet with but extremely durable as well.
Here’s a free potholder pattern for this yarn.
- Weight: Worsted
- Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
- Care: Machine Wash Cold
- Certification: OEKO-TEX®
Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/8
This yarn is made from 100% soft cotton and you are guaranteed a top-quality yarn at a bargain price.
Suitable for both knitting & crocheting.
- Free knit potholder pattern for this yarn you can find here.
- Free crochet potholder pattern for this yarn you can find here.
- Weight: DK
- Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
- Care: Machine 40°C (104°F)
- Certification: OEKO-TEX®
Paintbox Yarns 100% Wool Worsted Superwash
Made from 100% superwash wool means you can machine wash this yarn on a wool cycle.
Suitable for both knitting & crocheting.
- Weight: Worsted
- Fiber Content: 100% Superwash Wool
- Care: Machine Wash, Cold
- Certification: OEKO-TEX®
Hobbii Snowstorm
This yarn is made from 100% wool. Besides from the washing and dye, Snowstorm is not processed and this yarn can be used for felted potholders.
- Weight: Bulky
- Fiber Content: 100% Wool
- Care: Hand wash at 30°C (86°F) with a wool detergent / Lay flat to dry
- Certification: OEKO-TEX®
