Vintage pattern · 1957 · round thread crochet pot holder

Popcorn Pan Holder

Free crochet pattern with chart

A round pot holder in white, yellow and green. The front is rings of popcorn stitches with rounds of single crochet between them; the back is plain double crochet. Each ends with 72 small loops, and the two are crocheted together through those loops.

Thread: Cotton crochet threadwhite, yellow and green
Hook: 1.65 mm steelNo. 7 in 1957
Made: Two round piecesfront and back, joined

Every count checked by KrowsheaNo count errors in the 1957 original, and one slip of wording put right. Modern US and UK terms, and a chart drawn from the counts.

Popcorn Pan Holder rendered in Krowshea 3D Yarn — **Today** · rendered in Krowshea 3D Yarn, not AI

Black and white photo of a round crocheted pot holder with a light center, a dark ring and a light textured border, with a covered ring at the top for hanging — **1957** · the magazine photo

Chart

Popcorn Pan Holder crochet chart

Right-handedLeft-handed

Crochet symbol chart of Popcorn Pan Holder, drawn by Krowshea

The same chart drawn left-handed, mirrored

Reading this chart

Start at the center and read each round counterclockwise, the way a right-handed crocheter works.
Start at the center and read each round clockwise, the way a left-handed crocheter works.
Each round begins at its green mark, its first stitch or chain; its number is printed beside it. Rounds alternate dark and blue so they read apart.
The key under the chart names every symbol. Symbols follow the Craft Yarn Council chart standard.
The chart shows the front; the written pattern has every piece.

Drawn by Krowshea from the checked counts, not traced from the original. New to charts? How to read crochet charts.

Written pattern

Round by round

US termsUK terms

Written in US crochet terms

Front

1
white Ch 6, join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 8 sc in ring, join with a sl st to the first st.
8 sc
2
Ch 4 (counts as the first tr) and work the rest of a 5-tr popcorn in the same st, [ch 3, 5-tr popcorn in next st] 7 times, ch 3, join with a sl st to the first st.
8 popcorns, 8 sps
3
Ch 4 (counts as the first tr) and work the rest of a 5-tr popcorn in the same st, ch 3, 5-tr popcorn in next sp, ch 3, [5-tr popcorn in next popcorn, ch 3, 5-tr popcorn in next sp, ch 3] 7 times, join with a sl st to the first st.
16 popcorns, 16 sps
4
Ch 4 (counts as the first tr) and work the rest of a 5-tr popcorn in the same st, ch 2, 5-tr popcorn in next sp, ch 2, [5-tr popcorn in next popcorn, ch 2, 5-tr popcorn in next sp, ch 2] 15 times, join with a sl st to the first st.
32 popcorns, 32 sps
5
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in the top of the beginning ch-4, sc in next sp, [sc in next popcorn, sc in next sp] 31 times, join with a sl st to the first st. Fasten off.
64 sc
6
yellow Join yellow, ch 3 (counts as the first dc) and work the rest of a 5-dc popcorn in the same st, [ch 3, sk next st, 5-dc popcorn in next st] 31 times, ch 3, sk next st, join with a sl st to the first st. Fasten off.
32 popcorns, 32 sps
7
white Join white, ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in the same st, 3 sc in next sp, [sc in next popcorn, 3 sc in next sp] 31 times, join with a sl st to the first st. Fasten off.
128 sc
8
green Join green, ch 4 (counts as the first tr) and work the rest of a 5-tr popcorn in the same st, *ch 2, sk next 3 sts, [5-tr popcorn in next st, ch 2, sk next st] 2 times, 5-tr popcorn in next st; rep from * 14 more times, ch 2, sk next 3 sts, [5-tr popcorn in next st, ch 2, sk next st] 2 times, join with a sl st to the first st.
48 popcorns, 48 sps
9
Sl st in next sp, ch 4 (counts as the first tr) and work the rest of a 5-tr popcorn in the same sp, ch 3, [5-tr popcorn in next sp, ch 3] 47 times, join with a sl st to the first st.
48 popcorns, 48 sps
10
Sl st in next sp, ch 4 (counts as the first tr) and work the rest of a 5-tr popcorn in the same sp, ch 3, [5-tr popcorn in next sp, ch 3] 47 times, join with a sl st to the first st. Fasten off.
48 popcorns, 48 sps
11
white Join white, ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in the same sp, 3 sc in next sp, [sc in next popcorn, 3 sc in next sp] 47 times, join with a sl st to the first st. Fasten off.
192 sc
12
yellow Join yellow, ch 3 (counts as the first dc) and work the rest of a 5-dc popcorn in the same st, *ch 2, sk next 3 sts, [5-dc popcorn in next st, ch 2, sk next st] 2 times, 5-dc popcorn in next st; rep from * 22 more times, ch 2, sk next 3 sts, [5-dc popcorn in next st, ch 2, sk next st] 2 times, join with a sl st to the first st. Fasten off.
72 popcorns, 72 sps
13
white Join white in any sp, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 3 sc in same sp, [3 sc in next sp] 71 times, join with a sl st to the first st. Fasten off.
216 sc
14
yellow Join yellow in the center sc of any group, ch 3 (counts as the first dc) and work the rest of a 5-dc popcorn in the same st, ch 3, [sk next 2 sts, 5-dc popcorn in next st, ch 3] 71 times, sk next 2 sts, join with a sl st to the first st. Fasten off.
72 popcorns, 72 sps

Back

1
white Ch 6, join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as a dc), 15 dc in ring, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
16 dc
2
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in same st, [2 dc in next st] 15 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
32 dc
3
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in next st, [dc in next st, 2 dc in next st] 15 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 dc
4
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, [dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st] 15 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
64 dc
5
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, [dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st] 15 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
80 dc
6
yellow Join yellow, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st, [dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st] 15 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
96 dc
7
white Join white, ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in each st around, join with a sl st to the first st. Fasten off.
96 sc
8
green Join green, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st, [dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st] 15 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
112 dc
9
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st, [dc in next 6 sts, 2 dc in next st] 15 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
128 dc
10
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in next 6 sts, 2 dc in next st, [dc in next 7 sts, 2 dc in next st] 15 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
144 dc
11
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in next 143 sts, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
144 dc
12
white Join white, ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in each st around, join with a sl st to the first st. Fasten off.
144 sc
13
yellow Join yellow, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in next 10 sts, 2 dc in next st, [dc in next 11 sts, 2 dc in next st] 11 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
156 dc
14
white Join white, ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in each st around, join with a sl st to the first st. Fasten off.
156 sc
15
yellow Join yellow, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in next 155 sts, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
156 dc
16
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in the top of the beginning ch-3, *[ch 2, sk next st, sc in next st] 5 times, ch 2, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st; rep from * 10 more times, [ch 2, sk next st, sc in next st] 5 times, ch 2, sk next 2 sts, join with a sl st to the first st.
72 sc, 72 sps
Fasten off. To finish: hold the front and the back with wrong sides together and the front toward you. Join white in any loop, ch 1 and work 3 sc in each loop through both pieces (72 loops on each), join in the first sc. Next round: sl st in each st, join, cut the thread. With white, cover a bone ring with sc and attach it to the pan holder.

Written in UK crochet terms

Front

1
white Ch 6, join with a ss to the first ch to form a ring, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 8 dc in ring, join with a ss to the first st.
8 dc
2
Ch 4 (counts as the first dtr) and work the rest of a 5-dtr popcorn in the same st, [ch 3, 5-dtr popcorn in next st] 7 times, ch 3, join with a ss to the first st.
8 popcorns, 8 sps
3
Ch 4 (counts as the first dtr) and work the rest of a 5-dtr popcorn in the same st, ch 3, 5-dtr popcorn in next sp, ch 3, [5-dtr popcorn in next popcorn, ch 3, 5-dtr popcorn in next sp, ch 3] 7 times, join with a ss to the first st.
16 popcorns, 16 sps
4
Ch 4 (counts as the first dtr) and work the rest of a 5-dtr popcorn in the same st, ch 2, 5-dtr popcorn in next sp, ch 2, [5-dtr popcorn in next popcorn, ch 2, 5-dtr popcorn in next sp, ch 2] 15 times, join with a ss to the first st.
32 popcorns, 32 sps
5
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in the top of the beginning ch-4, dc in next sp, [dc in next popcorn, dc in next sp] 31 times, join with a ss to the first st. Fasten off.
64 dc
6
yellow Join yellow, ch 3 (counts as the first tr) and work the rest of a 5-tr popcorn in the same st, [ch 3, miss next st, 5-tr popcorn in next st] 31 times, ch 3, miss next st, join with a ss to the first st. Fasten off.
32 popcorns, 32 sps
7
white Join white, ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in the same st, 3 dc in next sp, [dc in next popcorn, 3 dc in next sp] 31 times, join with a ss to the first st. Fasten off.
128 dc
8
green Join green, ch 4 (counts as the first dtr) and work the rest of a 5-dtr popcorn in the same st, *ch 2, miss next 3 sts, [5-dtr popcorn in next st, ch 2, miss next st] 2 times, 5-dtr popcorn in next st; rep from * 14 more times, ch 2, miss next 3 sts, [5-dtr popcorn in next st, ch 2, miss next st] 2 times, join with a ss to the first st.
48 popcorns, 48 sps
9
Ss in next sp, ch 4 (counts as the first dtr) and work the rest of a 5-dtr popcorn in the same sp, ch 3, [5-dtr popcorn in next sp, ch 3] 47 times, join with a ss to the first st.
48 popcorns, 48 sps
10
Ss in next sp, ch 4 (counts as the first dtr) and work the rest of a 5-dtr popcorn in the same sp, ch 3, [5-dtr popcorn in next sp, ch 3] 47 times, join with a ss to the first st. Fasten off.
48 popcorns, 48 sps
11
white Join white, ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in the same sp, 3 dc in next sp, [dc in next popcorn, 3 dc in next sp] 47 times, join with a ss to the first st. Fasten off.
192 dc
12
yellow Join yellow, ch 3 (counts as the first tr) and work the rest of a 5-tr popcorn in the same st, *ch 2, miss next 3 sts, [5-tr popcorn in next st, ch 2, miss next st] 2 times, 5-tr popcorn in next st; rep from * 22 more times, ch 2, miss next 3 sts, [5-tr popcorn in next st, ch 2, miss next st] 2 times, join with a ss to the first st. Fasten off.
72 popcorns, 72 sps
13
white Join white in any sp, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 3 dc in same sp, [3 dc in next sp] 71 times, join with a ss to the first st. Fasten off.
216 dc
14
yellow Join yellow in the center dc of any group, ch 3 (counts as the first tr) and work the rest of a 5-tr popcorn in the same st, ch 3, [miss next 2 sts, 5-tr popcorn in next st, ch 3] 71 times, miss next 2 sts, join with a ss to the first st. Fasten off.
72 popcorns, 72 sps

Back

1
white Ch 6, join with a ss to the first ch to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as a tr), 15 tr in ring, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
16 tr
2
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in same st, [2 tr in next st] 15 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
32 tr
3
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), 2 tr in next st, [tr in next st, 2 tr in next st] 15 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 tr
4
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in next st, 2 tr in next st, [tr in next 2 sts, 2 tr in next st] 15 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
64 tr
5
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in next 2 sts, 2 tr in next st, [tr in next 3 sts, 2 tr in next st] 15 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
80 tr
6
yellow Join yellow, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in next 3 sts, 2 tr in next st, [tr in next 4 sts, 2 tr in next st] 15 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
96 tr
7
white Join white, ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in each st around, join with a ss to the first st. Fasten off.
96 dc
8
green Join green, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in next 4 sts, 2 tr in next st, [tr in next 5 sts, 2 tr in next st] 15 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
112 tr
9
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in next 5 sts, 2 tr in next st, [tr in next 6 sts, 2 tr in next st] 15 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
128 tr
10
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in next 6 sts, 2 tr in next st, [tr in next 7 sts, 2 tr in next st] 15 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
144 tr
11
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in next 143 sts, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
144 tr
12
white Join white, ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in each st around, join with a ss to the first st. Fasten off.
144 dc
13
yellow Join yellow, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in next 10 sts, 2 tr in next st, [tr in next 11 sts, 2 tr in next st] 11 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
156 tr
14
white Join white, ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in each st around, join with a ss to the first st. Fasten off.
156 dc
15
yellow Join yellow, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in next 155 sts, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
156 tr
16
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in the top of the beginning ch-3, *[ch 2, miss next st, dc in next st] 5 times, ch 2, miss next 2 sts, dc in next st; rep from * 10 more times, [ch 2, miss next st, dc in next st] 5 times, ch 2, miss next 2 sts, join with a ss to the first st.
72 dc, 72 sps
Fasten off. To finish: hold the front and the back with wrong sides together and the front toward you. Join white in any loop, ch 1 and work 3 dc in each loop through both pieces (72 loops on each), join in the first dc. Next round: ss in each st, join, cut the thread. With white, cover a bone ring with dc and attach it to the pan holder.

Special stitches

5-tr popcorn: Work 5 tr in the st. Take the hook out of the working loop, insert it from front to back under the top of the first tr of the group, pick up the dropped loop and draw it through, closing the group into a cup that pops forward.
5-dc popcorn: Work 5 dc in the st. Take the hook out of the working loop, insert it from front to back under the top of the first dc of the group, pick up the dropped loop and draw it through, closing the group into a cup that pops forward.

Abbreviations (US)

ch chaindc double crochetrep repeatsc single crochetsk skipsl st slip stitchsp(s) space(s)st(s) stitch(es)tr treble crochet

Special stitches

5-dtr popcorn: Work 5 dtr in the st. Take the hook out of the working loop, insert it from front to back under the top of the first dtr of the group, pick up the dropped loop and draw it through, closing the group into a cup that pops forward.
5-tr popcorn: Work 5 tr in the st. Take the hook out of the working loop, insert it from front to back under the top of the first tr of the group, pick up the dropped loop and draw it through, closing the group into a cup that pops forward.

Abbreviations (UK)

ch chaindc double crochetdtr double treblemiss miss (skip)rep repeatsp(s) space(s)ss slip stitchst(s) stitch(es)tr treble

Materials

Thread, 1957: Mercerized cotton crochet thread, one ball each of white, yellow and green. The magazine names only a brand and gives no thread size; choose a crochet cotton that works well with a size 7 steel hook.
Hook, 1957: Steel crochet hook size 7, about 1.65 mm in today's US steel sizes. Old steel hook sizes varied from maker to maker, so treat the millimeter size as a guide.
Also: A bone ring, covered with single crochet, for hanging.

The 1957 original

As it was printed

The Workbasket, August 1957 (22nd Year, Number 11) · "Pan Holder Duet", pages 18 to 22 of the August 1957 issue
Front: With white ch 6, join in first sc to form a ring, ch 1 and work 8 sc in ring, join in first sc. Rnd 2: Ch 4 (counts as part of first pc st), 4 tr in same sp, sl lp off hook, insert in 4th st of ch, pull lp through, * ch 3, pc st in next sc (pc st: 5 tr in same st, drop lp from hook, insert in first tr, pull lp through), repeat from * around, ch 3, join in first pc st. Rnd 3: Ch 4, pc st in same sp, ch 3, pc st in next lp, ch 3, * pc st in next pc st, ch 3, pc st in next lp, ch 3, repeat from * around, join in first pc st. Rnd 4: Ch 4, pc st in same sp, ch 2, pc st in next lp, ch 2, * pc st in next pc st, ch 2, pc st in next lp, ch 2, repeat from * around, join in first pc st. Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in same sp, sc in next lp, * sc in next pc st, sc in next lp, repeat from * around, join in first sc, cut thread. Rnd 6: Join yellow in same sp, ch 3 (counts as part of first dc of pc st), 4 dc in same sp, drop lp from hook, insert in 3rd st of ch, pull lp through, * ch 3, sk 1 sc, dc pc st in next sc (dc pc st: 5 dc in same sp, drop lp from hook, insert in first dc, pull lp through), repeat from * around, ch 3, join in first pc st, cut thread. Rnd 7: Join white in same sp, sc in same sp, 3 sc in next lp, * sc in next pc st, 3 sc in next lp, repeat from * around, join in first sc, cut thread. Rnd 8: Join green in same sp, ch 4, pc st in same sp (all pc sts are worked with tr unless otherwise stated), * ch 2, sk 3 sc, pc st in next sc, ch 2, sk 1 sc, pc st in next sc, ch 2, sk 1 sc, pc st in next sc, repeat from * around, ending to correspond, join in first pc st. Rnds 9, 10: Sl st into lp, ch 4, pc st in same sp, ch 3, * pc st in next lp, ch 3, repeat from * around, join in first pc st, cut thread at end of last rnd. Rnd 11: Same as rnd 7. Rnd 12: With yellow work in same manner as rnd 8 but work dc pc sts, cut thread. Rnd 13: Join white and work 3 sc in each lp, join, cut thread. Rnd 14: Join yellow in center sc of any 3 sc group, ch 3, dc pc st in same sp, ch 3, * dc pc st in center sc of next sc group, ch 3, repeat from * around, join, cut thread. Back: With white ch 6, join to form a ring, ch 3 and work 15 dc in ring, join in third st of ch. Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), dc in same sp, 2 dc in each remaining dc, join in third st of ch. Rnd 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, * dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, repeat from * around, join in third st of ch. Rnd 4: Working in dc inc in every third st, join. Rnd 5: Inc in every 4th st, join, cut thread. Rnd 6: Join yellow, ch 3, dc in each of the next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc, * dc in each of the next 4 dc, 2 dc in next dc, repeat from * around, join, cut thread. Rnd 7: Join white and sc in each dc, join, cut thread. Rnd 8: Join green, ch 3, dc in each of the next 4 sc, 2 dc in next sc, * dc in each of the next 5 sc, 2 dc in next sc, repeat from * around, join. Rnd 9: Working in dc inc in every 7th st, join. Rnd 10: Inc in every 8th st, join. Rnd 11: Ch 3 and dc in each dc, join, cut thread. Rnd 12: Same as rnd 7. Rnd 13: Join yellow and working in dc inc in every 12th st, join, cut thread. Rnd 14: Join white and sc in each dc, join, cut thread. Rnd 15: Join yellow, ch 3 and dc in each sc, join. Rnd 16: Sc in same sp, * ch 2, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc, repeat from * 4 times, ch 2, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, repeat from first * around, ending with sl st in first sc, cut thread (72 lps). Crochet the two sections together having the wrong sides facing each other. With right side of front section toward you, join white in any lp, ch 1 and work 3 sc in each lp, join in first sc. Next rnd: Sl st in each st, join, cut thread. With white, cover a bone ring with sc and attach to pan holder.

The 1957 stitch names

The magazine prints its own list of abbreviations, all in modern American terms, so nothing needs translating. Its two special stitches are spelled out in the directions:

In 1957	US today	How we know
pc st	5-tr popcorn	"5 tr in same st, drop lp from hook, insert in first tr, pull lp through."
dc pc st	5-dc popcorn	"5 dc in same sp, drop lp from hook, insert in first dc, pull lp through."

What we checked

Front, round 1: 8 sc in the ring.
Front, rounds 2 to 4: 8, 16 and 32 popcorns.
Front, round 5: 64 sc. Round 6: 32 popcorns. Round 7: 128 sc.
Front, rounds 8 to 10: 48 popcorns each. Round 11: 192 sc.
Front, round 12: 72 popcorns. Round 13: 216 sc. Round 14: 72 popcorns and 72 loops.
Back, rounds 1 to 6: 16, 32, 48, 64, 80 and 96 dc. Round 7: 96 sc.
Back, rounds 8 to 11: 112, 128, 144 and 144 dc. Round 12: 144 sc.
Back, rounds 13 to 15: 156 dc, 156 sc, 156 dc.
Back, round 16: 72 loops, the count the magazine prints, and the same number the front ends with.
Every round closes evenly.

How we read the old wording

"Ch 4, pc st in same sp" at the start of rounds 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10 is one beginning popcorn, not a chain and then a popcorn. Round 2 says so in full ("Ch 4 (counts as part of first pc st), 4 tr in same sp"), and the counts only come out even that way.
Round 8, "ending to correspond": the last repeat stops one popcorn short, because that popcorn would fall on the first one of the round. Round 12 is the same.
Rounds 11 and 12 are "same as rnd 7" and "in same manner as rnd 8" in the magazine. They are written out here.
The back's "inc in every third st" rounds are written out as 2 dc in every 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th and 12th stitch. Each divides evenly.
Back, round 16: the last single crochet of the round falls where the first one is, so the joining slip stitch takes its place.
The two rounds that crochet the front and back together, and the covered ring, are given as a finishing note in the magazine's words. They are not counted or drawn.

No count errors. The one printed count (72 loops on the back) checks out, and the front ends with 72 loops to match. One slip of wording: the front begins "ch 6, join in first sc to form a ring", where the first stitch is a chain; the back says it correctly.

More vintage patterns

All vintage patterns

Krowshea is in beta

Make it with Krowshea

This pattern stays free right here. Krowshea members will be able to do more with it:

Turn it in 3D Yarn and watch it grow round by round
Save it to your Library and make it your own: new colors, a border, a different size
Track your rounds with Make it, on your phone
Open it in the Studio: change the thread, size it up in yarn, join motifs

Join the betaSave to Pinterest