Dog Lover’s Hot Pad – Free Crochet Pattern – A cozy crochet hot pad featuring a playful paw print design
Hi y’all! 🐶
If you love adding handmade touches to your home (and you’re a dog lover), this one is for you.
The Dog Lover’s Hot Pad is a fun and functional crochet project that combines simple stitches with playful texture to create an adorable paw print design. Using a combination of classic single crochet and the textured popcorn stitch, you’ll create a piece that’s both practical and full of personality.
“Dogs leave paw prints on our hearts.”
~ Unknown
Not only is this project practical, but it’s also perfect for adding a cozy, handmade touch to your kitchen.
💛 A Quick Note
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links—at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my small crochet business!
If you’re anything like me, you love projects that are both beautiful and useful.
Hot pads are one of my favorite things to make because they bring together creativity and function in the best way. They’re quick, customizable, and perfect for using every single day.
Create one or make a set—either way, it’s a simple way to add a little handmade charm to your everyday routine.
Inspiration
The Dog Lover’s Hot Pad has been a design in the works for quite some time, and I’m so excited to finally share it with you.
This pattern was inspired by the simple joy our furry friends bring into our everyday lives. Because of that, it’s designed to blend both function and personality.
There’s just something special about creating items that reflect the things we love most.
⚠️ A Quick Note
This hot pad is designed to protect countertops and tables from heat.
- ✔ Great for setting down hot dishes
- ❌ Not intended for handling hot pots or pans
- ❌ Does not replace an oven mitt
If you’re looking for more inspiration, I have several other cozy and practical hot pad patterns that are perfect for everyday use.
Each one is designed with the same goal in mind—bringing a little handmade beauty into the spaces we use most.
🧶Design Details
The Dog Lover’s Hot Pad was designed using one of my go-to yarns—I Love This Cotton. It’s a soft, worsted weight cotton yarn that works beautifully with textured stitches like the popcorn stitch, giving this project both structure and a cozy feel.
For this pattern, you’ll need:
- 4.0 mm (G) hook
- Approximately 155 yards of worsted weight (#4) cotton yarn
✻♻️✻✻♻️✻
This design is worked in two panels—a front (featuring the paw print colorwork) and a solid back panel. The panels are then joined together with a thick, textured border to create a sturdy and durable hot pad.
Finished size is approximately 8.5″ x 8.5″, making it a great fit for everyday kitchen use.
✨ Skill Level
Because this pattern includes color changes and popcorn stitches, it’s labeled as Intermediate.
That said, if you’re an advanced beginner who’s ready to try something new, you can absolutely take this on. The pattern is very approachable.
🧵 Yarn Matters
When making hot pads, yarn choice is important.
- For best results, cotton yarn is recommended.
- ❌ Acrylic yarn is not recommended (it can melt under heat)
If your goal is to protect your countertops and surfaces, sticking with cotton is the safest and most reliable option.
🎨 Yarn Options + Color Inspiration
The samples shown throughout this post were made using two colors of I Love This Cotton yarn:
- Brown
- Taupe, Cream, or Serene Spa
These combinations create a soft, neutral look—but this pattern is incredibly fun to customize.
There are so many beautiful options when it comes to worsted weight cotton yarn, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your color choices.
Affiliate Note: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business 💛
💛 Tester Makes
One of my favorite parts of releasing a pattern is seeing how others make it their own.
These beautiful versions were created by my talented testers—Stacy, Michele, and Lauren—using a variety of yarns, from scrap cotton to WeCrochet Dishie.
Each one turned out so unique and just as functional and cozy.
⬇️ Keep Reading for the Free Pattern
Scroll down to view the free version and learn how to make your own Dog Lover’s Hot Pad.
🛍️ Where to Get the Dog Lover’s Hot Pad Pattern
If you prefer a clean, ad-free version of this pattern, you can grab the printable PDF here:
👉 (Etsy Link Coming Soon)
👉 (Ravelry Link Coming Soon)
The PDF includes:
- Easy-to-follow formatting
- Colorwork chart
- Step-by-step photo tutorials
- A convenient, printable layout
Perfect for crocheting on the go or keeping a copy in your project binder.
📌 Save It for Later
Not ready to make your Dog Lover’s Hot Pad just yet?
Pin it for later so you can come back to it anytime!
🐾 Dog Lover’s Hot Pad – Free Crochet Pattern
🧶 Materials
You will need the following to make your Dog Lover’s Hot Pad:
- Worsted Weight (#4) Cotton Yarn
- Color A: 134 yards (front panel, back panel, border)
- Color B: 21 yards (paw print design)
- Total: Approx. 155 yards
- 4.0 mm (G) crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
📏 Pattern Details
- Skill Level: Intermediate
(Advanced beginner friendly with colorwork practice) - Finished Size: Approx. 8.5″ x 8.5″
- Gauge: 7.5 sc x 8.25 rows = 2″
- Terminology: Written in US crochet terms
📝 Pattern Notes
- This pattern is worked in rows and consists of two panels (front + back) that are joined together with a border.
- The chain at the beginning of a row does not count as a stitch. Always place your first stitch in the same stitch as the beginning chain unless otherwise stated.
- Colorwork Technique:
A combination of tapestry and intarsia crochet is used.- Carry yarn on the wrong side (WS)
- Be sure to leave a little slack in the carried yarn
- Changing Colors:
To change colors, begin your single crochet as normal and stop before the final yarn over.
Yarn over with the new color and pull through the remaining loops on the hook. - When working color changes, Color A is not fastened off. It is dropped and picked back up as needed. Color B is clipped after completing the row.
- Row Direction (for chart use):
- Odd-numbered rows: Read right to left (RS) ⬅️
- Even-numbered rows: Read left to right (WS) ➡️
- Stitch counts are only listed when they change.
✂️ Stitch Key
- BLO – Back Loop Only
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- FLO – Front Loop Only
- FSC – Foundation Single Crochet
- PC – Popcorn Stitch
- Rnd – Round
- RS – Right Side
- sc – single crochet
- slst – slip stitch
- st – stitch
Pattern Instructions
Front Panel (Paw Print Design)
With Color A
🪡 Foundation Rows
Row 1 (RS – Foundation):
27 FSC, ch 1, turn. (27 sc)
Row 2 (WS):
sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (27 sc)
Row 3 (RS):
sc in each st across, ch 1, turn.
Row 4 (WS):
sc in each st across, ch 1, turn.
Row 5 (RS):
sc in each st across, ch 1, turn.
🐾 Begin Paw Print Shaping
Using Color B + Popcorn Stitch
Toe Pad Rows
Row 6 (WS):
Next, sc in next 8, join Color B, PC in next 2, join Color A, sc in next 7, join Color B, PC in next 2, join Color A, sc in next 8, ch 1, turn.
(4 PC, 23 sc)
👉 See Popcorn Stitch tutorial HERE
Row 7 (RS):
sc in next 7, join Color B, sc in next 3, join Color A, sc in next 6, join Color B, sc in next 3, join Color A, sc in next 8, ch 1, turn. (27 sc)
Row 8 (WS):
sc in next 5, join Color B, PC, sc, PC, sc in next 4, PC in next 3, sc in next 4, PC, sc, PC, join Color A, sc in next 5, ch 1, turn. (7 PC, 20 sc)
Row 9 (RS):
sc in next 5, join Color B, sc in next 17, join Color A, sc in next 5, ch 1, turn. (27 sc)
Upper Paw Pad Rows
Row 10 (WS):
sc in next 4, join Color B, PC in next 2, sc in next 15, PC in next 2, join Color A, sc in next 4, ch 1, turn. (4 PC, 23 sc)
Row 11 (RS):
sc in next 5, join Color B, sc in next 17, join Color A, sc in next 5.
Row 12 (WS):
sc in next 5, join Color B, PC in next 2, sc in next 13, PC in next 2, join Color A, sc in next 5, ch 1, turn. (4 PC, 23 sc)
Row 13 (RS):
sc in next 6, join Color B, sc in next 15, join Color A, sc in next 6, ch 1, turn. (27 sc)
Row 14 (WS):
sc in next 6, join Color B, PC in next 2, sc in next 11, PC in next 2, join Color A, sc in next 6, ch 1, turn. (4 PC, 23 sc)
Row 15 (RS):
sc in next 8, join Color B, sc in next 11, join Color A, sc in next 8, ch 1, turn. (27 sc)
Row 16 (WS):
sc in next 8, join Color B, PC in next 2, sc in next 7, PC in next 2, join Color A, sc in next 8, ch 1, turn. (4 PC, 23 sc)
Row 17 (RS):
sc in next 10, join Color B, sc in next 7, join Color A, sc in next 10, ch 1, turn. (27 sc)
Main Paw Pad Rows
Row 18 (WS):
sc in next 3, join Color B, PC, sc, PC, join Color A, sc in next 4, join Color B, PC, sc, PC, sc, PC, sc, PC, join Color A, sc in next 4, join Color B, PC, sc, PC, join Color A, sc in next 3, ch 1, turn. (8 PC, 19 sc)
Row 19 (RS):
sc in next 2, join Color B, sc in next 4, join Color A, sc in next 14, join Color B, sc in next 4, join Color A, sc in next 3, ch 1, turn. (27 sc)
Row 20 (WS):
sc in next 2, join Color B, PC, sc in next 3, PC, join Color A, sc in next 13, join Color B, PC, sc in next 3, PC, join Color A, sc in next 2, ch 1, turn. (4 PC, 23 sc)
Row 21 (RS):
sc in next 3, join Color B, sc in next 3, join Color A, sc in next 15, join Color B, sc in next 3, join Color A, sc in next 3, ch 1, turn. (27 sc)
Row 22 (WS):
sc in next 3, join Color B, PC, sc, PC, join Color A, sc in next 2, join Color B, PC, sc, PC, join Color A, sc in next 5, join Color B, PC, sc, PC, join Color A, sc in next 2, join Color B, PC, sc, PC, join Color A, sc in next 3, ch 1, turn. (8 PC, 19 sc)
Finish Paw Print Shaping
Row 23 (RS):
sc in next 7, join Color B, sc in next 4, join Color A, sc in next 4, join Color B, sc in next 4, join Color A, sc in next 8, ch 1, turn. (27 sc)
Row 24 (WS):
sc in next 7, join Color B, PC, sc in next 3, PC, join Color A, sc in next 3, join Color B, PC, sc in next 3, PC, join Color A, sc in next 7, ch 1, turn. (4 PC, 23 sc)
Row 25 (RS):
sc in next 8, join Color B, sc in next 3, join Color A, sc in next 5, join Color B, sc in next 3, join Color A, sc in next 8, ch 1, turn. (27 sc)
Row 26 (WS):
sc in next 8, join Color B, PC, sc, PC, join Color A, sc in next 5, join Color B, PC, sc, PC, join Color A, sc in next 8, ch 1, turn. (4 PC, 23 sc)
🪡 Final Rows
Row 27 (RS):
Then, sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (27 sc)
Row 28 (WS):
sc in each st across, ch 1, turn.
Row 29 (RS):
sc in each st across, ch 1, turn.
Row 30 (WS):
sc in each st across, ch 1, turn.
Row 31 (RS):
sc in each st across.
Finish off and weave in ends.
Back Panel
Note: There is no right side (RS) or wrong side (WS) for this panel.
With Color A
Row 1:
27 FSC, ch 1, turn.
Rows 2–30:
sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (27 sc)
Row 31:
sc in each st across.
Do not fasten off. Continue to border.
🧵 Border
With RS facing, align front and back panels with the paw print facing outward.
Note:
The panels are joined by working around all four sides—across the top and bottom, and down each side.
Be sure the paw print (popcorn stitch design) is facing out as you work.
🪡 Round 1
Tip: Place a stitch marker in your first stitch to easily keep track of your rounds.
Slst to join in the top right corner of both panels.
Ch 1.
- Sc in each st across top (26 sc)
- Work 3 sc in corner
- Sc evenly down the side (30 sc)
- Work 3 sc in corner
- Sc in each st across bottom (25 sc)
- Work 3 sc in corner
- Sc evenly up the next side (30 sc)
- Work 2 sc in final corner
Sl st to join to first sc, ch 2.
🪡 Round 2
Working in FLO (front loop only):
dc in each st around.
Sl st to join to first dc, ch 1.
(122 dc)
🪡 Round 3
Working in:
- BLO of Round 2, and
- BLO of Round 1
sc in each st around.
Slst to join to first sc.
Finish off and weave in ends.
🪝 Optional Hanging Loop
Complete last sc, then:
- Slst to first sc
- Ch 7
- Slst into same stitch
Finish off and weave in ends.
💛 Keeping Up with SASS Crochet
If you love this pattern, there’s so much more where that came from 💛
You can explore more cozy, practical crochet designs here:
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I’d absolutely love it if you shared your makes and pinned your favorites—it truly helps support my small business 🫶
💛 Final Thoughts
There’s something so special about creating pieces that are both meaningful and practical—especially when they reflect the things we love most.
The Dog Lover’s Hot Pad is one of those projects that brings a little extra joy into everyday moments, whether you’re using it in your own kitchen or gifting it to a fellow dog lover.
The coziest homes are built one handmade detail at a time.
Thank you so much for being here and supporting my small crochet business—it truly means the world to me.
📣 Share Your Make
I would absolutely LOVE to see your finished hot pads!
- Tag me: @AngieD_SASS
- Use: #DogLoversHotPad
Until next time,
happy crocheting 🧶✨
Angie 🤍🤍🤍
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