Ribs for Dinner Potholder - Negative Inspiration

I love crochet.  My mom loves knitting.  I crochet for her, she knits for me.  Works.  This is not always the case in my gift inclined relationships.  Case in point - I crocheted a fabulous scarf for a friend last Christmas and I have yet to see her wear it.  That's ok - I respect her tastes.  Regardless, this year I made her something that I knew she would use and that she doesn't have to wrap around her body - a cool potholder.  Here is the pattern and it is also available on ravelry (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ribs-for-dinner-potholder) along with some of my other designs.

Skill Level: Easy+

The basic construction of this potholder is incredibly simple – two rectangles crocheted together – and

creates a very sturdy, very thick potholder that can also be used as a trivit.  The stitch pattern you use, a front post double crochet, creates nice texture integrating form and function.  The piece is edged in a reverse single crochet and, like any potholder worth its salt, it has a handy loop for hanging near your stove.

Materials:

• Two balls Lily Sugar 'n; Cream, or other 100% cotton yarn

(approx. 2 oz./ 95 yds per ball)

• Size G crochet hook
• Yarn needle

Stitches used:  Ch, sc, dc, frpdc, rev sc.

Finished measurements: Approx. 7 ½ in. x  9 in.

Potholder Panel (Make 2):

Ch 31

Row 1:  Dc in 4^th ch from hook, 1 dc in ea ch to end.  Turn.  (29 dc).

Row 2:  Ch 1, skip first dc, 1 sc in ea dc, ending with 1 sc in 3^rd ch of foundation ch.  Turn.

Row 3:  Ch 2, skip first sc, *1 fpdc around dc in row 1 (below next sc and skipping this sc), 1 sc in next sc.*  Rep from * to * across, ending with 1 sc in 1^st ch of turning ch.

Row. 4:  Ch 1, skip first sc, *1 sc in fpdc, 1 sc in sc.*   Rep from * to * across, ending with 1 sc in last fpdc, 1 sc in 2^nd ch of turning ch.  Turn.

Row 5:  Ch 2, skip first sc, *1 fpdc around fpdc below next sc (skipping this sc), 1 sc in next sc.*  Rep from * to * across, ending with 1 sc in turning ch.  Turn

Rep rows 4 and 5 for a total of 30 rows, or until piece measures 7 in. from beg.  Finish off.

Assembly:

Row 1:  With wrong sides together, crochet the two pieces together, beginning at the upper left corner and working 29 sc across to end.  3 sc in corner st and continue down the sides of the piece with 21 sc evenly spaced to corner.  3 sc in corner st and continue across bottom to corner with 29 sc evenly spaced and 3 sc in corner st.  Work 21 sc evenly along last edge of piece and 3 sc in last corner st.  Join w sl st to beg sc. 

Row 2:  Ch 2.  Work rev sc along edges around piece to beg, join w sl st.  Ch 10 and join w sl st to first sc, creating a loop.  Work 10 sc in loop and join to first ch.  Finish off and weave in all loose ends.  Now get cookin'!  £