Blue Jean Rhapsody Cast Iron Handle Cover, Hot Pad

Crochet a cast iron handle cover and hot pad/potholder set for the dad that loves to cook! This easy, beginner-friendly pattern is quick to make and each piece uses only a small amount of yarn. If you want to make the entire set, you'll need two balls of the "super Size" Lily Sugar'n Cream in each color. ***This crochet pattern is available for free on my website or you can download it here as a print-optimized, ad-free PDF for your convenience.*** **Please read and follow warnings given in the additional notes section** **Difficulty:** Easy **Materials Needed:** 4 mm (G) hook: handle covers 5 mm (H) hook: hot pads 2 balls each of "Super Size" Lily Sugar n Cream in "Indigo", and "Denim Blue" (Optional) 8" of 1/8" leather shoelace per hot pad or handle cover <--I found mine at Michael's crafts. scissors yarn needle **Stitches Used:** ch = chain sl st = slip stitch sc = single crochet hdc = half double crochet **Additional terms:** BLO = back loop only **Measurements:** Handle cover: 1 1/2” wide by 5” or 6” long. Hot pad: 6" by 6" as written (can be easily adjusted by working in multiples of 4) **Gauge:** Handle: The handle cover should fit snugly on the handle (aim to have it be about 1 1/2" across at the most), but loosen up so it slips on and off the handle fairly easily with wear and washing. Hot pad: Gauge is unimportant. It is easy to adjust the pattern up or down to fit your needs. See additional notes section below. **Additional Notes:** *it is VERY, VERY important that you use only 100% cotton yarn for this project (acrylic will melt), AND that you remove the cozy while cooking so it doesn’t catch fire — use it ONLY to lift the pot from the stove, or while holding the handle to stir what’s cooking. Do NOT leave it on the handle unattended!* In short, practice common sense. -Common sense includes NOT leaving this handle cover on if you need to bake a casserole in the skillet in the oven. -The main part of both the handle cover (round 4) and hot pad (round 2) are worked in continuous rounds. Do not join. -Your handle will be quite snug the first time you put it on your cast iron skillet, or pan, this is intentional because they do relax with wear/washing. Let it sit on the handle to stretch out for a few hours prior to use. -These are machine washable! When they get dirty, simply throw them in with like colors on a cold water wash (or follow the washing instructions on the skein if you have any doubts). -to create a striped cover or hot pad, join the second color after round 3, and change color every 2 stitches. I switched colors by pulling the new color through the center of the hdc stitch. You may need to go up to a 5mm or larger hook when doing things this way as it is easy to tighten your tension if you are not familiar with the “fair isle” crochet technique. -If you decide to use two colors, you may want to go up a hook size or two as it’s easy to tighten up your tension when changing color every 2 stitches. -This is a very versatile piece and can be adjusted to make not only various sizes of hot pads or potholders, but also small bags and coin purses, glasses/phone cases, and even decorative pillows. Leave the top open for bags, purses and cases. -Fun fact: This is what the "crunch stitch" looks like worked in rounds instead of rows. ;)