Small Ways | Knitted Wool Potholders
Simple. Reachable. Doable. Small ways. They pack enough punch to change your world, or your day. Or maybe, simply and gloriously, they’ll change your moment. Small Ways is a series about small objects, small gestures, small touches. Small ways for living well.
I once worked as a buyer and visual merchandiser for a pair of tastefully curated kitchenware and home goods stores in Anchorage, Alaska, where we sold everything from copper cookware, to artisan clocks, to antiques. I worked in tandem with the general manager in merchandising, visual merchandising, and art direction, and with the store owner in styling for photoshoots. Despite it being a fast-paced retail environment that demanded high efficiency and organization, there was always creative trust, with space allowed for its process and flow. As a result, it was one of the most creatively fulfilling jobs I’ve ever had.
It was there that I learned about wool pot holders. Wool, the sales rep explained in our office that day, as he handed us samples of his wares, is an excellent heat insulator, and therefore a superior material with which to handle hot pots at the stovetop and hot pans in and out of the oven. Even when it’s wet, he pointed out, wool will still insulate and protect the user’s hands from extreme heat, unlike its typical cotton counterpart. I have to say, after taking the sample home and using it for years in my kitchen afterward, I had to agree.
That was years ago, now, and that pot holder has long since failed. But, I’ve never forgotten how much I felt at ease using it to help with hot things in my kitchen. A few weeks ago, as summer turned to fall, I decided now was the right time to knit a pair of new ones.
From the selection at my local yarn shop, I chose this worsted weight yarn (Ella Rae Classic, 135 Gold Heather), which I held double to create a thicker, denser knit fabric. The stitch is a simple stockinette garter stitch, done in a square on size 6 needles, with a chain stitch loop for hanging. It’s beginner’s knitting 101, really. Which is just right for a full-schedule fall when you want mindless knitting in found pockets of time.
If you’d like to knit some along with me, here’s a similar pattern to follow.