Free Crochet Pattern – Gingerbread Man Hot Pad
I’m excited to be participating in the 12 Weeks of Christmas CAL organized by Maria of Pattern Paradise. To find all of the other designs and to join in on all of the crochet along fun, please visit this post on Maria’s blog by clicking the excerpt below:
When each holiday rolls around it brings with it the desire to crochet something cheerful & festive to display in my home! Although I love to create designs that are functional (and the Gingerbread Man Hot Pad is functional), I’m not sure I’ll be able to bring myself to actually use it for more than a decoration or to hold a plate of cookies for Santa. Do you ever think some things are just way too cute to be used? 😉
Last year I released my Retro Christmas Tree Towel and it was the first free granny stitch intarsia design I added to my blog. Since then I released a couple others, if you enjoy the technique you can see them here: Free Crochet Patterns.
The Gingerbread Man Hot Pad is fun to work up and makes a great gift for family and friends, or a great decoration for your home. I used 100% cotton yarn for mine. You can use other yarns, but be careful with acrylics if you plan to actually use your hot pad as they can melt.
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Materials
- Yarn: 100% cotton yarn . You’ll need 1 ball of the following colors: White (MC/100 yds), Brown (CA/60 yards), Red (CB/40 yards), Forest (CC/40 yards)
- Crochet Hooks: G/6/4.00mm ; F/3.75mm (My favorite crochet hooks are the Clover Amour Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hand since switching)
- Locking Stitch Marker
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
Many of these materials are available for purchase through our affiliates below:
Clover 1045/G Purple Amour ...Shop on Amazon 
Clover Amour Crochet Hook, ...Shop on Amazon 
Clover Lock Ring Markers, 2...Shop on Amazon
Stitch Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- Alt-ch3: alternate chain 3 click here for photo tutorial
- st(s): stitch(es)
- yo: yarn over
- yds: yards
- SM: stitch marker
- MC: main color
- CA, CB, CC: contrasting colors listed in materials list
- RS: right side
- Rep: repeat
- Join w/ a single crochet: click here for photo tutorial
Gauge
- In Granny Stitch pattern: 13 sts x 7.75 rows = 3″
Finished Size
- One Size: 9-1/2″ W x 9-1/2″ H
Notes
- I tend to crochet on the tighter side, if you crochet more loosely, you may need to go down a hook size or two to meet gauge. However, this is a pattern for a hot pad and not a fancy sweater so gauge isn’t too terribly important. But would you be upset if you ended up with a table cover instead of a hot pad? If so, better check that gauge. 😉
- Beginning ch 3 are counted as a stitch and included in stitch count. Other beginning ch-1 or ch-2 are not included in stitch count, unless stated otherwise.
- First stitch of each row is worked into the same stitch as beginning chain, unless stated otherwise.
- Color Changes: Work all color changes on the final pull thru of the last stitch you’re working before the new color. Example: If the last st you’re working before a color change is a double crochet, begin your double crochet by inserting your hook where indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo with the NEW color, pull thru remaining 2 loops to complete the stitch. Then continue on with your new color. *Click here for Change Photo Tutorial.
Special Stitch
- Alternate Ch-3 (alt-ch3): Complete last st of previous row, take loop off hook, insert hook into the space between the last dc and last 3 dc of previous row, put loop back on hook and pull thru space, turn, ch 3. *Click here for photo tutorial.
Gingerbread Man Pot Holder Instructions
Gingerbread Man Motif ~ Make 2
*You can choose to make a solid white panel for the 2nd motif, back of the hot pad. Just be sure to check your gauge as you work as sometimes when working color work your gauge can vary.
Row 1 (RS): With MC & 4.00mm hook, ch 38, switch to a 3.75mm hook, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (37 sts)
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc here & throughout), dc in same st, skip 2 sts, [3 dc in next st, skip next 2 sts] work from [ to ] 11 times, 2 dc in last st. Turn. (37 sts)
*Follow color chart below beginning w/ Row 3.
Row 3: Ch 3, 3 dc in next 12 sps, dc in top of ch 3. (38 sts)
Row 4: Alt-ch3, dc in same sp, 3 dc in next 11 sps, 2 dc in last sp. Turn. (37 sts)
Rows 5 – 24: Rep Rows 3 – 4.
Fasten off first motif. Make the second motif, but do not fasten off. Place a SM in the last stitch of the 2nd motif to hold the yarn. Continue below to Smile.
Smile
Using a 3.75mm crochet hook, ch 8, working into the back humps of the foundation chain, sl st into the 2nd ch from your hook and in each ch across. (7 sts)
Fasten off. Use a yarn needle to attach the smile to the gingerbread man’s face as shown in the photo above. Continue on to Eyes.
Eyes (Make 2)
Using a 3.75mm crochet hook, begin with a magic ring, sl st into the magic ring and ch 1, work 4 sc into the magic ring. Join w/ a sl st to the 1st sc. (4 sts)
Fasten off leaving a 6″ tail for sewing. Using a yarn needle, attach the eyes to the face of the gingerbread man as shown in the photo above. Continue on to Ric Rac Trim.
Ric Rac Trim
For each arm and leg, use a 12″ piece of yarn and a yarn needle to sew decorative ric rac on like the photos. See photo above for close-up.
Weave in ends. Continue below to Joining Motifs & Preparing Hot Pad for Border.
Joining Motifs & Preparing Hot Pad for Border
In this round you will join the 2 motifs together while at the same time, prepare the edges for the rnd of decorative edging. Line up the last row of the motifs with RS facing out. Place a SM at each corner to help hold the motifs in place while you work. Work your stitches of this round through both motifs.
Rnd 1 (RS) (MC): Using a 3.75mm crochet hook, ch 1, sc in each st across (37 sts), * rotate to work along the side, sc into the side of the first sc, [ 2 sc around the next dc, sc around the next dc ] work from [ to ] 11 times, 2 sc around the next dc, sc into the side of the next sc (35 sts) *, rotate to work into the bottom of the foundation ch, sc in each st across (37 sts), then rep from * to *. Join w/ a sl st to 1st sc. (144 sts)
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Criss-Cross Edging.
Criss-Cross Edging ~ Click HERE for Step-by-Step Photo Tutorial
Crochet Hook: F/3.75mm
The criss cross edging is worked by alternating 2 colors as you work around the perimeter of the hot pad. If you’ve never worked a similar edging, click here to see the photo tutorial.
Step 1 (RS): Join CB w/ a sc (click here for tutorial) in any st along the bottom edge of the hot pad, ch 3, pull up on the loop on your hook to increase it, remove hook from CB.
Step 2: Join CC w/ a sc in the st to the left of where you joined CB, ch 3, pull up on the loop on your hook to increase it, remove hook from CC.
Step 3: Insert your hook back into the CB loop from step 1, tighten the loop back up on your hook, working in front of the CC yarn from step 2, skip over the CC sc and sc in the next st, ch 3, pull up on the loop on your hook to increase it, remove hook from CB.
Step 4: Insert your hook back into the CC loop from step 2, tighten the loop back up on your hook, working in front of the CB yarn from step 3, skip over the CB sc and sc in the next st, ch 3, pull up on the loop on your hook to increase it, remove hook from CC.
Repeat Steps 3 & 4 around the perimeter of your hot pad and end with a ch 3 of each color.
Fasten off CB & CC. Using a yarn needle, weave the tail of CB in through the beginning CB sc. Weave in ends to secure. Then use the yarn needle to weave the tail of CC in through the beginning CC sc. Weave in ends to secure.
That’s it! Now he’s ready to adorn your table during the holidays!
Click HERE to Find all of my Free Crochet Patterns
I really hope you’ve enjoyed this free crochet pattern & you’ve learned a new technique or two to add to your crochet toolbox! If you loved these techniques, check out my Ravelry shop for more great designs (such as the “Boho Chic” Mosaic Tote Bag below) to practice your new skills on!
Are you intimidated by crocheted cables? Would you love to learn? Take an Annies Video Class with me and let me ease your fears of crocheted cables! Click on the photo below to watch a free preview. You can also see the other 2 classes I have available! (affiliate link)
Please share your finished ACS projects with me in the A Crocheted Simplicity Crochet Community Group on Facebook!
Happy Crocheting!
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