la prima

I have always liked to sew and crochet, although it's only been in the last two years that I've really gotten in to the wonderful world of crafting (which I define as an expensive, time consuming, never finished and yet satisfyingly fun project).


It started with potholders. My great grandmother (mom’s side) used to knit and crochet tons of fun things for the entire family – baby booties and slippers, blankets of all sizes, the occasional sweater, and washcloths and potholders. Out of all of it the washcloths and potholders were the favorites. No one in my family has ever bought a potholder, ever. She stopped crocheting in her early nineties and I was starting to pick it up so a potholder was first thing I made, and then kept making. I'm trying to move on to sweaters and make other things with the stock of yarn I keep buying with the intention of trying something new, but the potholders are always in demand. It’s hard to keep up.

And by the way, my great grandmother just turned 102.


Crocheted Potholder
From: Mary “Meme” Rogers
Material: Sugars & Cream cotton yarn
Tools: crochet hook G-6 (4mm)
Start to Finish: 1 hour
This includes two sizes – the only difference is the number in the starting chain.

Chain 35 (37).

Single crochet [sc] around first edge of chain, at the end sc twice into the last chain. Do not turn. Continue sc around wrong end of chain, sc twice into last chain stitch prior to first sc.

Continue with sc around – one sc in each sc - until edges meet when folded in towards each other and form the diagonal of a square (approximately 15 rounds – rounds end on top of diagonal, make sure each side has equal numbers of rows from each corner). With ends folded to make a diagonal, slip stitch for last two sc and pull yarn through until it is longer than the diagonal of the square by three inches and cut. Use the attached yarn to stitch edges together. Knot at end and pull any remaining yarn in between the two layers. These can be machine washed warm and dry.