Wheat Stitch™ Hotpad Crochet Pattern (Free & Beginner-Friendly)

If you love crochet projects that are quick, practical, and secretly very satisfying, you’re going to adore this one. The Wheat Stitch™ Hotpad is the kind of pattern you can pick up when you want something relaxing—but still end up with a beautiful, useful finished piece.

This hotpad starts out flat in rows using my signature Wheat Stitch™, worked in a super simple 4-row repeat. It’s the kind of stitch pattern you can memorize fast and crochet almost on autopilot—perfect for cozy evenings, busy days, or when you just want your hands moving. Once the body is complete, we add a clean-line border to smooth out the edges (no wobbly sides here 🙌). That same border creates a sturdy hanging loop tab, and from there, you can finish it off with either a classic clean edge or go a little extra with the optional scalloped border. Whip up a coordinating Wheat Stitch™ Mug Cozy, Wheat Stitch™ Napkin Ring, and a Wheat Stitch™ Dishtowel Holder to match!

Simple. Textured. And totally FUNctional. Looking for more projects like this? Check out the Gemstone Dishcloths, the Soap Saver Bag, and the Circle Leaf Water Bottle Holder!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Wheat Stitch™ Hotpad Crochet Pattern Supplies

Yarn
Village Yarn Craft Cotton
100% Cotton, Solids 2.5 oz/71g/115 yd/105m ball
Yarn is held double.

Yarn Quantities

With One Color: 185 yards
With Two Colors:

Color A: 116 yards
Color B (Hearts): 69 yards

Yarn Substitutions

WeCrochet Dishie – 100% Cotton, 190yds /100g

Lily Sugar’n Cream Worsted – 100% Cotton, 120yds/70g

Premier Home Cotton Yarn – 85% Recycled Cotton/15% Polyester; 131yds/75g

Remember always to check the gauge and drape when substituting yarns.

Crochet Hook

Size US J (6.0mm) Crochet Hook or hook to obtain gauge.

Notions

Scissors
Yarn Needle
Cat Removable Stitch Marker
Tape Measure

Skill Level

Intermediate

Sizing

2 Sizes

Height: 9 (9.5 for hearts)”; with scallops: 10 (10.5 for hearts)”
Width: 8 (9 for hearts)”; with scallops: 9.5 (10.5 for hearts)”

Abbreviations

blo – back loop only
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
RS/WS – right side/wrong side
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
Stsc – Stacked Single Crochet

Gauge

12 sts and 10 rows = 4″ by 4″ unblocked, in pattern repeat.

How to Crochet A Gauge Swatch
Working a gauge swatch will let you know if you will have the correct sizing for this pattern. It will also help you practice the stitches used in this project and improve your stitch work for a flawless look.
Are you struggling to match the gauge? Check out the blog post on What is Crochet Gauge and How To Fix It

Special Stitches

Stacked Single Crochet (Stsc): Do NOT chain, insert hook into next stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo and pull through both loops, insert hook in the vertical bar below, yo, pull up a loop, yo and pull through both loops on the hook.

Puff Stitch: Yarn over and insert your hook into the stitch/space; yarn over again and pull up a long loop; yarn over and insert your hook into the same stitch/space; yarn over again and pull up a long loop (5 loops on the hook); yarn over and pull through the first 4 loops; yarn over and pull through remaining loops.

Pattern Notes

• For hotpads, always choose heat-safe fibers like 100% cotton or wool—synthetics can melt when exposed to high temperatures (yikes). Cotton is my go-to for everyday use because it’s durable, washable, and handles heat beautifully. Using the right yarn helps protect your surfaces and keeps your handmade goodies safe and functional.
• For striping, work every two sc rows in one color, and every 2 puff st rows in a different color. Change colors by yarning over with the new color when making the last stitch of the row before your new color begins. Keep both colors attached and carry the unused yarn up the back of the hotpad without fastening off.
• This Pattern Uses Standard US Terminology. I use affiliate links and follow GPSR Compliance: privacy & disclosure policy here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this hotpad beginner-friendly?

Yes! If you’re comfortable with my signature Wheat Stitch™, this pattern is very approachable. (Not familiar with this stitch? You can find the tutorial here: https://brianakdesigns.com/how-to-crochet-the-wheat-stitch/)

What yarn should I use for a crochet hotpad?

For safety and durability, cotton yarns are recommended since they handle heat better than acrylic. For this design, I suggest working with two strands of cotton, held together to create a thick, sturdy hot pad or trivet.

Can I change the size?

Absolutely. You can easily adjust the width or height by adding or subtracting chains at the beginning, and Wheat Stitch™ repeats before working the border.

Do I have to add the scalloped edge?

Not at all! The clean edge looks modern and minimal, while the scalloped border adds a decorative touch—choose whichever fits your style.

Video Tutorial for the Wheat Stitch™ Crochet Hotpad

The Ad-Free PDF can be purchased on Etsy or Ravelry.

Wheat Stitch™ Hotpad Written Crochet Pattern Instructions

Striped Hotpad

With J (6.0 mm) Hook & 2 Strands of Yarn Held Double

Row 1 (WS):

With Color A ch 27, sc in the second ch from the hook and across, turn. | 26 sts

Row 2 (RS):

Ch 1, sc in first, blo sc in each st across until the last st, sc in last, turn.

Rows 3-4:

With Color B ch 1, sc in first, *skip the next st, sc in next, work a puff st into the skipped st; repeat from * across until the last st, sc in the last, turn.

Rows 5-6:

With color A ch 1, blo sc in each st across, turn. Go to Repeats.

Repeats

Rows 7 – 18 (22 for Heart Hotpad):

Repeat Rows 3-6. Do not turn at the end of the last Row.

Border

Rnd 1 (RS):

With the RS facing and working along the outer edges of the hotpad, starting with ch 15 (this will be the hanging loop, omit if desired), sc along the edges as follows: sc in next space, *insert your hook into the left bar of the sc st, then insert into the next row edge space. YO and pull up a loop, then pull through the first loop on the hook. YO and pull through the remaining two loops on the hook. Repeat from * all the way around until the ch sts, sc in each ch st.

For a clean & modern look, stop here and skip the scallop. To add a scalloped edge, continue to Rnd 2.

Rnd 2:

Do not join and sl st in the first edge st, skip the next st, 3dc-shell into the next, *[skip 1, sl st in next, skip 1, 3dc-shell st in next] until next corner st, 5dc-shell st in the corner st; repeat from * around, until you are back to the loop, end with a sl st right before the loop, fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in all ends, and pat yourself on the back for creating an adorable, functional crochet piece.

The Wheat Stitch™ Hotpad is one of those patterns that proves simple doesn’t have to mean boring. With its rhythmic stitch pattern, polished finish, and customizable edge, it’s a project you’ll want to make again and again. Whether you’re refreshing your own kitchen, making handmade gifts, or adding quick projects to your crochet rotation, this hotpad checks all the boxes—relaxing to stitch, beautiful to display, and genuinely useful.

Looking for more cotton-based projects?

Wheat Stitch™ Keychain & Lanyard
Circle Leaf Market Bag
Shamrock Coaster
Easy Envelope Clutch
Braided Wheat Stitch™ Easy Summer Top

Cheers, and happy crocheting!