Project introduction
A crochet ghost pot holder is one of those Halloween projects that earns its place in the kitchen rather than a storage bin. This is a pattern overview, not a full tutorial, so you will not find row-by-row instructions here. Instead, it walks through what the project is, what it asks of your hook and yarn, and where to find the complete written pattern from the designer who created it.
The design comes from Sonya Blackstone of Blackstone Designs. She describes Halloween as her favorite holiday and says she has a particular fondness for cute ghost decorations rather than creepy ones. Because she enjoys designing potholders, a ghost-shaped potholder was a natural next step, and the finished ghost holds a small pumpkin.
Like the designer’s other potholders, this one includes a front pocket. That pocket is sized for gifting baking mixes, utensils, or recipe cards, which makes the project useful beyond seasonal decor. The designer notes that the ghost looks cute hanging next to her Pumpkin Pot Holder, and that both sit nicely in the kitchen alongside the Cauldron Bowl Cozy.
Ghost Potholder Crochet Pattern Overview
The designer offers three ways to get the pattern. Option one is to continue scrolling on her site for free pattern instructions. Option two is to purchase the ad-free PDF that includes tutorial photos from one of her shops. Option three is to purchase the “13 Halloween Crochet Patterns” eBook. The free web version and the paid PDF are separate formats, so a free page does not mean the printable is free.
For the complete pattern, including every row and the photo tutorial, use the Original designer’s pattern and instructions.
Materials
The supply list is short and specific. The designer calls for 100% cotton worsted weight yarn in size 4, plus a few small extras for the face and pumpkin. Gather everything before you begin so the color changes and finishing steps go smoothly.
- 100% cotton worsted weight yarn (#4)
- White: 4oz/205yds
- Black: half ounce/25yds
- Orange: half ounce/25yds
- Green: scraps
- Pink: scraps
- Hook: I/9/5.50mm
- 1/4 yd 100% cotton batting (optional, but recommended)
- Scissors or rotary cutter for cutting the batting
- Yarn needle
Gauge
The stated gauge is 12 sts x 12 rows = 4 inches. The designer also notes that gauge is not critical for this project, so small differences in your personal tension should not throw off the finished piece. That is helpful news if you tend to crochet tightly or loosely.
Finished Measurements
The finished pot holder measures 8.75 inches wide by 10.25 inches high. That is a generous size for a decorative potholder with a working pocket, and it gives the ghost enough surface area for the face and pumpkin details to read clearly.
Stitch Guide
The pattern uses standard US terms, and the designer includes a short abbreviation list so you can follow along without guessing. These are the exact definitions from the source.
- arnd = around
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- dec = single crochet decrease
- hdc = half double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- sl st(s) = slip stitch(es)
Skill Level
The designer rates this project as Intermediate. You will work shaping, color changes, small pieces in the round, and a border through multiple layers, so comfort with basic stitches and simple assembly will help. If you have made a potholder or two before, the construction will feel familiar.
Written in U.S. Terms
Notes
The notes clarify a few pattern conventions. Beginning chains do not count as stitches. Instructions between asterisks are repeated, and stitches inside parentheses are worked into the same space. These small rules keep the written rows consistent as you move through the panels.
Batting adds padding and heat resistance. The designer explains that two layers of crocheted cotton usually provide enough protection for brief tasks like moving items from the oven to the stove top. You can find cotton batting at most fabric stores. Because acrylic fibers may melt under high heat, the pattern recommends using 100% cotton yarn and batting.
On fabric sizing, a yard of fabric equals 36 inches high, a quarter yard equals 9 inches high, and the width is 54 inches wide. Batting does not have a specific cutting direction, so you can orient your pieces to fit the shapes you need.
Special Stitches
One special stitch appears in the pattern. Reverse single crochet (rsc) is worked in the opposite direction by inserting the hook in the next stitch, to the right if you are right-handed or to the left if you are left-handed, then yarning over and drawing up a loop, yarning over again, and drawing through both loops on the hook. It gives the pocket edge a neat, slightly raised finish.
Construction Overview
The project is built from several separate pieces that come together at the end. Two full panels form the front and back of the pot holder, and a third pocket panel sits on the front. The panels are worked in White with an alternating stitch texture, and the pocket panel finishes with a single crochet top edge plus a reverse single crochet round. The designer’s row-by-row counts live in the original pattern, so follow those there rather than reconstructing them from this overview.
Small applique pieces add the character. Two Black eyes and a Black mouth are made in the round from magic rings. Two White arms are worked as narrow strips and edged around the outside. The pumpkin is crocheted in Orange with a Green stem section, and a short White chain forms the hanger. Each piece is made separately and attached during finishing.
Finishing
Finishing is where the pot holder gains its structure. Batting is cut roughly to the shape and size of the full panels. The back panel is laid flat with the batting on top so the bottom edges line up, then a needle and White yarn tack the layers together with stitches worked front to back and back to front one stitch over, with tails knotted on the batting side. This step repeats several times to hold the batting in place.
The second full panel goes over the batting, and the pocket panel goes on top, with bottom edges aligned. A White single crochet border is worked through all three crochet layers up the side, across the top, down the left edge, and across the bottom, then fastened. The designer specifies working through all the crochet layers around and not crocheting across the top of the pocket, which keeps the pocket opening usable.
Placement details matter for the finished look. Eyes go on the front 4 rows from the top with roughly 4 stitches between them. The mouth is shaped into an oval as desired and attached 8 rows from the top, centered between the eyes. The pumpkin sits at the front center of the pocket panel so the stem tip rests over R18 of the pocket. Arms attach to the front side edges of the pocket, tipped slightly down, with the arm edges overlapping R4 on the pumpkin.
Cheeks are stitched under the eyes with one row between eye and cheek, and the hanger goes at the upper left corner as desired. Optional touches include White shine stitches on the eyes and stitched eyelashes. Hide all strings at the end.
And that’s how you make the crochet ghost pot holder!
This overview summarizes the key details of Sonya Blackstone’s design. For the complete step-by-step instructions and photo tutorial, please visit the original designer’s page linked above.
If you enjoy seasonal makes with a bit of personality, these related overviews are worth a look: Crochet Ghost Walking Dog Amigurumi: Pattern Overview and World Turtle Succulent Holder: Pattern Overview.
