Taos Potholder Free Gift Pattern
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Hi Crochet Friends! I’m excited to share a special free crochet pattern with you today from Carol at Shady Lane Original Crochet Designs. Carol has kindly gifted us the Taos Potholder, a stunning overlay mosaic crochet design from her Native American Potholders booklet. I’ve admired Carol’s work for years, and I’m thrilled to showcase this beginner-friendly project on my site. The pattern is easy to follow, uses only basic stitches, and works up into a beautiful and practical piece for your kitchen or as a thoughtful gift.
If you enjoy this design, you’ll love browsing through her full collection of dropped double crochet stitch patterns—including her gorgeous blankets and home decor designs. Carol has also provided a coupon code for those who’d like to explore more of her patterns (details below!).
Beginner Overlay Mosaic Crochet Potholders
The Taos Potholder is included in Carol’s Native American Crochet Potholder Collection.
This set of crochet potholders showcases beautiful geometric-inspired designs, each crafted using the dropped double crochet stitch. With clear written instructions and striking two-color patterns, these potholders are perfect for practical use or as handmade gifts. You can read my review here.
- Sizes: Each potholder is double-thickness and can be adjusted in width.
- Yarn: Medium Weight Cotton Yarn (Worsted, #4).
- Crochet Hook: 4 mm (G).
- Crochet Stitches and Techniques: Dropped double crochet, single crochet, worked flat in rows.
- Skill Level: Easy.
- Why We Like It:
- Bold geometric designs inspired by Native American motifs.
- Beginner-friendly technique with simple stitches and one color at a time.
- Practical and gift-worthy—durable potholders for everyday use.
Purchase the full booklet of 7 patterns here: Native American Potholder Booklet
Dropped Double Crochet Stitch Video
Watch this video to see how easy it is to crochet the dropped double crochet stitches used in this project.
Taos Potholder Crochet Pattern
Free excerpt from Native American Potholders booklet.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the instructions in this publication are complete and accurate. However, we cannot take responsibility for human error, typographical mistakes or variations in individual work. Please visit shadylane.com to check for pattern updates.
©2025 SHADY LANE Original Crochet Designs, 122 Shady Grove St., Big Sandy, TX 75755. www.shadylane.com All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher.
READ THIS BEFORE BEGINNING
- The front piece of these potholders is worked a little differently from usual crochet work.
- Work each row separately leaving about 2 inches of yarn at each end which will be tucked under between front and back pieces when finishing.
- Do not turn work.
- Fasten off at end of each row and cut yarn.
- All scs are worked in back lp of st (see fig. 1).
- All dcs are worked in front lp of st of 2nd row below one being worked (see fig. 2).
- For ease in following, total number of sc and dc to work have been given.
- Instructions in parentheses, for example: “(sc, dc) 13X” means work sc in next st, work dc in
next st after that, and do that 13 times total. Work what’s in
parentheses total number of times given, then continue on (i.e. 2X means
work what is in parentheses two times total, then continue on).
How to Work Instructions in Parenthesis
Work the instructions in parentheses the number of times specified after the closing bracket.
For example, “(sc, dc) 13X” would be crocheted (1 sc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st) 13 times.
You would work all the instructions included in the parentheses, 13 times in total.
Long form would be: (1 sc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st) (1 sc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st) (1 sc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st) (1 sc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st) (1 sc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st) (1 sc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st) (1 sc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st) (1 sc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st) (1 sc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st) (1 sc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st) (1 sc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st) (1 sc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st) (1 sc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st)
Gauge
- Note: All potholders use a G hook or size needed for gauge of 4 sc and 4 rows = 1”.
- Each potholder is about 7” square.
Options for Working the First Stitch
1. With slip knot on hook, join in back lp of first st with sc.
2. With slip knot on hook, join with sl st in back lp of first st, ch 1, sc in same back lp.
3. With slip knot on hook, choose option 1 or 2 but work in both lps of st (this gives a bit firmer join). If you do this, work last sc of row in both lps as well.
Abbreviations Used
beg = beginning
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
lp(s) = loop(s)
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
tog = together
X = times
TAOS POTHOLDER
Materials
- Worsted weight yarn–2.5 oz. light blue, 1.5 oz. red, small amount dark blue.
- 4 mm (G) crochet hook
FRONT PIECE
Row 1: With light blue, ch 27, fasten off. Join light blue with sc in first ch, sc in each ch across.
Row 2: With light blue, sc in each st across.
Row 3: With dark blue, (sc, dc) 13X, sc.
Rows 4-5: With light blue, sc in each st across.
Row 6: With red, sc in each st across.
Row 7: With light blue, sc, dc, (2 sc, 3 dc) 2X, 3 sc, 3 dc, 2 sc, 3 dc, 2 sc, dc, sc.
Row 8: With red, 2 sc, 2 dc, 3 sc, 2 dc, 3 sc, dc, sc, dc, (3 sc, 2 dc) 2X, 2 sc.
Row 9: With light blue, sc, dc, (3 sc, dc) 6X, sc.
Row 10: With red, 4 sc, dc, sc, dc, 3 sc, dc, 5 sc, dc, 3 sc, dc, sc, dc, 4 sc.
Row 11: With light blue, (3 sc, dc) 6X, 3 sc.
Row 12: With red, 2 sc, dc, 5 sc, dc, 3 sc, dc, sc, dc, 3 sc, dc, 5 sc, dc, 2 sc.
Row 13: With light blue, sc, dc, (3 sc, dc) 6X, sc.
Row 14: With red, 4 sc, dc, sc, dc, 3 sc, dc, 5 sc, dc, 3 sc, dc, sc, dc, 4 sc.
Row 15: With light blue, sc, dc, (3 sc, dc) 6X, sc.
Row 16: With red, 2 sc, dc, 5 sc, dc, 3 sc, dc, sc, dc, 3 Shady Lane sc, dc, 5 sc, dc, 2 sc.
Row 17: With light blue, (3 sc, dc) 6X, 3 sc.
Row 18: With red, 4 sc, dc, sc, dc, 3 sc, dc, 5 sc, dc, 3 sc, dc, sc, dc, 4 sc.
Row 19: With light blue, sc, dc, (3 sc, dc) 6X, sc.
Row 20: With red, 2 sc, 2 dc, 3 sc, 2 dc, 3 sc, dc, sc, dc, (3 sc, 2 dc) 2X, 2 sc.
Row 21: With light blue, sc, dc, (2 sc, 3 dc) 2X, 3 sc, 3 dc, 2 sc, 3 dc, 2 sc, dc, sc.
Rows 22-24: With light blue, sc in each st across.
Row 25: With dark blue, (sc, dc) 13X, sc.
Row 26: With light blue, sc in each st across.
Rnd 27: With light blue, sc in each st across, sc in each end of row down side, sc in each remaining chlp of Row 1, sc in end of each row up side, join in first sc of this rnd. (If needed, work 2-3 sc in corners.) Fasten off.
BACK PIECE
With light blue, work sc in both lps of stitch.
Row 1: With given color, ch 28, sc in 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn. (27)
Row 2: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn.
Repeat Row 2 until piece measures same height as front potholder piece. Do not fasten off yarn.
Note: Measure back piece against front piece after Row 2 and make sure it is correct width. If not, add or subtract sts so that it is correct width. In my experience, the number of chains is usually right, but the number of rows can differ a bit from the front piece. In my crocheting, I had to do more rows for back piece than for front. I think this has to do with the front piece being worked in back lps only and the back piece is through both lps.
EDGING
Work last row (rnd) as given, then continue working down side in ends of rows, along bottom edge in remaining ch-lps, and up other side in ends of rows. Join with sl st in first sc of rnd. Fasten off. (Work 2-3 sc in corners as needed.) As you work sides, tuck row ends to back of work. When you attach the back piece, these ends will be inside the enclosed potholder. You may trim them a bit if you like, or leave as is.
For outer edging and joining the 2 pieces tog, place front and back pieces together, with wrong sides facing (front piece on top). Ch 1, working through both pieces at the same time, sc in first st, sc in each st across top, ch 10 for hanging lp, sc in same st, sc down side, across bottom and up other side. Join in first sc of this rnd. Work 2- 3 sc in each corner as needed. Fasten off.
OUTER TRIM
Join red with sc in any st of outer edging, change to dark blue in last step of st, sc in next st, continue in same manner around entire piece including ch-10 lp, join in first sc. Fasten off.
TAOS GRAPH
Get the Native American Potholder Booklet HERE!
If you like the style of this potholder, we have many more patterns that are worked in this unique way. In fact, we have specialized in this style since the early 1980’s. We have various subjects, including a tote bag set plus afghans featuring Noah’s Ark, Angels, Teddy Bears, Hearts, Diamonds, Rocking Horses, Native American and even a Choo-Choo Train ranging from large adult sizes to baby sizes, plus various sizes of pillows. We also offer other crochet patterns including doll clothes and home decor items. Be sure and check out our free pattern section as well!
Visit our website for a video tutorial with instructions for working the easy dropped dc stitch which forms the design at shadylane.com.
©2025 SHADY LANE Original Crochet Designs, 122 Shady Grove St., Big Sandy, TX 75755. www.shadylane.com All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher.
Coupon Code
Love Carol’s crochet designs? Don’t miss this special offer—save 15% on any of her patterns!
This Taos Potholder is the perfect way to try overlay mosaic crochet while creating something useful and decorative for your home. I’m so happy Carol has allowed me to share it with you, and I hope it inspires you to explore more of her beautiful designs. Don’t forget to check out her full pattern collection for even more creative crochet projects you’ll love.
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New free pattern: the Taos Overlay Mosaic Crochet Potholder by Carol of Shady Lane Designs! Beginner-friendly and perfect for gifts. Try it today!
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About the Author
Rhondda Mol is the crochet designer and blogger behind Oombawka Design Crochet. Since 2012, she has been sharing free crochet patterns, tutorials, and expert tips to help crocheters of all levels succeed. With more than 600 published patterns, Rhondda focuses on creating clear instructions and resources to inspire creativity and confidence in the crochet community.