Evil Eye Pot Holder with Leaf Pocket - Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This evil eye pot holder is a warm, beginner-friendly project that brings a little desert boho charm to your kitchen. Worked in soft cotton candy pink with a baby blue evil eye motif, it looks sweet and a little bit magical hanging by the stove. The front and back post ribbing gives it a thick, textured, ribbed feel that protects your hands and counters, while the little leaf pocket on the back doubles as a hanging loop. It is a quick weekend make, perfect for gift-giving or for adding a handmade touch to your own home.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Aran weight (10 ply) wool blend, approx. 100 g total: 60 g cotton candy pink (Color A), 40 g baby blue (Color B).
• Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for sewing and weaving in ends, scissors, stitch marker (optional).
• Finished size: Approx. 8 inches (20 cm) square.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• fpdc – front post double crochet (worked around the post of the stitch in front)
• bpdc – back post double crochet (worked around the post of the stitch behind)
• sc – single crochet
• sc2tog – single crochet two stitches together (a decrease)
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rep – repeat

Gauge

16 sts x 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in front/back post ribbing pattern. To check, crochet a small swatch in pattern and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if needed to match.

Tips Before You Start

• Keep your turning chains consistent so the ribbed edges stay straight and square.
• Work the post stitches loosely around the posts — tight post stitches make the fabric stiff and hard to sew through later.
• Use a stitch marker to track whether you are on a Row 2 (fpdc first) or Row 3 (bpdc first) repeat so the ribbing stays aligned.
• Block the body lightly before sewing on the motif and pocket so everything sits flat and centered.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pot Holder Body (Color A)

Ch 33.

R1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across (32 dc).

R2: Ch 2, turn, [fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st] across, ending with bpdc (32 sts).

R3: Ch 2, turn, [bpdc around next st, fpdc around next st] across, ending with fpdc (32 sts).

R4-32: Rep R2-3, maintaining pattern (32 sts). Fasten off.

Evil Eye Motif (Color B)

With B, make a magic ring.

R1: Ch 2, 12 dc in ring, join with sl st to first dc (12 sts).

R2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around, join (24 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Leaf Pocket (Color A)

Ch 9.

R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (8 sc).

R2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (8 sc).

R3: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog (6 sc).

R4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (6 sc).

R5: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog (4 sc).

R6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (4 sc).

R7: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog twice (2 sc).

R8: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog (1 sc). Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Lightly block the pot holder body, the evil eye motif, and the leaf pocket so they lie flat. Using the long tail, sew the evil eye motif (B) centered on the front of the pot holder with small, even stitches. Sew the leaf pocket (A) to the back of the pot holder, positioning the pointed tip at the top so it can be used for hanging. Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side. Give the finished piece a final light press or steam block to smooth the seams.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the baby blue motif for a contrasting mustard or terracotta to lean further into the desert boho look.
• Add a second small motif ring in a third color around the evil eye for extra depth.
• Make a matching set in alternating colorways for a quick handmade gift.