Crochet Polar Bear Hot Paws: Double Oven Mitts Pattern
Whenever anyone asks what I'm currently working on I can usually give them a straightforward answer: a blanket, a scarf, an amigurumi cactus. Sometimes it's not as easy as in the case of the crochet Polar Bear Hot Paws (aka hand savers).
Someone asked what I was working on and when I explained I was met with a look that clearly said, "Why not just use oven mitts?"
First, let me tell you what these hot paws are for.
Picture it: you're reheating a bowl of chili in the microwave (at home or work) and maybe you put the dish in for too long. When you reach in for the bowl you feel as though you've burned your fingerprints off. You probably suck it up and carefully pick up the bowl with your fingernails, hoping you don't drop it.
Of course, you can always grab a towel or (obviously) oven mitts. But oven mitts are too bulky, and to be honest I never think of grabbing oven mitts when I reheat food in the microwave.
Instead, I reach for a kitchen towel - it provides more hand gripping flexibility, if that makes sense. But sometimes a kitchen towel doesn't provide enough protection from a hot plate.
This is why I created double oven mitts that have a flexible fabric. When I use them my hands naturally come together like I'm holding a bowl.
You know what pairs really well with cute crochet hot paws? Delicious brownies of course! Check out this recipe for Quick and Easy Brownies on The Melrose Family.
I used cotton yarn so the fabric is thicker than a kitchen towel but with way more flexibility than regular oven mitts. You could also use double strands for a thicker fabric.
I also went with cotton for its durability and being able to machine wash it. I did not have cotton yarn in black so I used acrylic and that works too.
Crochet Polar Bear Hot Paws Pattern
Materials
Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn in white and black
-worsted weight acrylic black yarn for paw prints
4.50mm crochet hook
Yarn needle to sew paw prints
Abbreviations (US Terminology)
ch - chain
sc - single crochet
inc - increase (2 sc in same st)
dec - decrease (sc2tog)
sl st - slip stitch
Pattern Notes
The first part of the double oven mitt is worked in rounds with a slip stitch to join at the end of each round, do not turn.
The starting chain does not count as a stitch. Single crochet in the same space as the slip stitch.
The second part of the oven mitt is worked in rows.
The finished size can be adjusted to fit your hands by simply increasing (or decreasing) the rounds and/or adding (or removing) the middle rows (length of the piece).
Paw prints are worked in continuous rounds, do not join with a slip stitch at the end of the round.
Use stitch markers to keep track of the beginning/end of each round.
Double Oven Mitts Pattern
First Paw
Round 1: ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 2 ch, 5sc in last ch, continue on bottom of chain sc in next 2 ch, 4sc in last space, sl st to first sc to join (14sts)
Round 2: ch 1, sc in same space as sl st and next 2sts, inc in next 5sts, sc in next 2sts, inc in next 4sts, sl st to first sc to join (24sts)
Round 3: sc in each st
Round 4. ch 1, inc in next st, sc in next 3sts, *inc, sc in next st, repeat from *4 more times, sc in next st, repeat from *4 more times, sl st to first sc to join (34sts)
Rounds 5-17 (or desired length): work even. Turn after Round 17.
Middle Rows
Row 1: ch 1, sc in next 21sts, turn.
Rows 2-20 (or desired length): ch 1, sc across, turn.
Second Paw
Round 1: ch 1, sc in next 21 sts, ch 13 and sl st to first sc to join, turn.
Round 2: ch 1, sc in each chain and sc around, sl st to first sc to join, do not turn. (34sts)
Rounds 3-15 (or desired length): work even
Round 16: ch 1, *sc in next st, dec, repeat from * once more, sc in next 4sts, *dec, sc in next st, repeat from *4 more times, *dec, sc in next st, repeat from *once more, dec (24sts)
Round 17: work even
Round 18: ch 1, dec 3 times, sc in next 2sts, dec 5 times, sc in next 2 sts, dec 2 times (14sts)
Round 19: ch 1, dec, sc in next 5sts, dec, sc in next 5sts. Fasten off and leave tail to sew shut.
Paw Prints - Larger Circle, make 2
Round 1: in magic ring make 6sc.
Round 2: inc in each st (12sts)
Round 3: *inc, sc in next st, repeat from *5 more times (18sts)
Round 4: *inc, sc in next 2sts, repeat from *5 more times (24sts)
Round 5: *inc, sc in next 3sts, repeat from *5 more times (30sts)
Cut the yarn and leave a tail for sewing onto the paws.
Paw Prints - Smaller Circle, make 6
Round 1: in magic ring make 6sc.
Round 2: inc in each st (12sts)
Cut the yarn and leave a tail for sewing onto the paws.
Your crochet double oven mitts are ready to protect your hands! These hot paws would be such a great addition to any kitchen, office, or dorm room. This would also make a great last-minute gift or as part of a housewarming gift.
If you make these crochet polar bear hot paws I'd love to see your creation, just tag me on Instagram @popsdemilk_crochet and use the hashtag #popsdemilk
Don't forget to share and pin this post for later!
Need another fun crochet kitchen accessory? Check out:
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This pattern is for personal use only. The pattern and its photos may not be reproduced, distributed or resold, translated, published, altered, shared or posted in any way over the internet or offline.
You may sell finished items made from this pattern as long as it is handmade by you, not mass produced, giving the credit to Pops de Milk / Patricia Castillo as the designer. If you have any questions, you can email me at patricia@popsdemilk.com
