Make a Set of Pan Protectors
Last Updated on August 2, 2017 by lydiaf1963
Make a set of pan protectors to match your kitchen. This is the the perfect stash busting project. Not only can you experiment with a new stitch or technique, you’ll make something useful. These could also be a gift for that hard to buy for person.
The idea for this project came about when I was working a set of sampler squares for an afghan knit along (also known as a KAL…the knitting community’s love for acronyms rivals the government’s!). I had no intention of making an afghan, but I wanted to try some of the stitches. One of my favorite pieces was an entrelac square which uses short rows and turns to create a woven appearance. I enjoyed the challenge and when I was finished I didn’t want to get rid of the piece; but I didn’t have a use for it, either. Turns out, while it’s not a perfect fit, it is the right shape for my square grill pan.
For years we’ve been using paper towels or kitchen rags to separate the pans. I’ve seen the pan protectors in the store and at Pampered Chef home shows but I’ve always balked at purchasing them for one reason or another.
Well, I had a lightbulb moment and after a diverting evening scouting Pinterest and Ravelry for doily patterns, I was ready to start. Like many knitters, I have a stash and I’m determined to work my way through it (insert a skeptical “Yeah, right!” here). Several balls of worsted yarn in shades of blue were used to make the items you see here.
Except for the entrelac, the individual projects took a pleasant evening’s knitting and helped use some cheap, acrylic yarn leftover from some of my earliest projects.
Here they are with comments and links.
Entrelac
Entrelac is a technique that creates a woven effects. It’s confusing to start with, but have faith and keep working and you’ll start to see how it comes together. Kate, the leader of the Knitting for Knewbies Facebook Group really did a great job explaining how to make an entrelac square. (You’ll have to join the group to access the files). The same technique can be used to make all sorts of items from hats and scarves to socks. This video from Very Pink demonstrates the construction in order to make a scarf.
Ten Stitch Twist
The Ten Stitch technique is an interesting one. You work in 10 stitch wide sections and new bits are attached to the old work as you work around. Frankie Brown has several projects on Ravelry which utilize this technique. The Ten Stitch Blanket looks a lot like a log cabin quilt. This one is called the Ten Stitch Twist. It was my least favorite to work. I didn’t like the yarn for the project and found the construction to be tedious after awhile. Still, it was worth doing in order to learn the construction techniques and it fits my large skillet pretty well.
Grandmother’s Washcloth
This is an old fashioned doily which uses short rows to construct sections and form a round shape. You may also see it referred to as the Almost Lost Washcloth. It’s worked back and forth on straight needles much like the little door mat I made awhile back.
Lacy Round Trivet
This particular yarn really shows off the stitches of this trivet pattern previously available from Lion Brand Yarn’s website. It’s worked in the round on double pointed needles. The pattern increases in an easy, predictable way so you can make it as big as you need to. I finished with a contrasting color and the picot bind off (click through the link to an easy to follow video).
EDIT: Lion Brand has reorganized their website and the pattern doesn’t seem to be available anymore. I was able to grab a screenshot from the web archives. I have written a post on this particular trivet with a discussion of how the pattern works and photos of the trivet made with cotton and acrylic yarn.
There is no shortage of great doily and block patterns available on the web for both knitters and crochet. This sort of sampler project is perfect for learning a new stitch or technique. Pick colors and patterns that appeal to you (or the recipient) and have fun!
If you’re on Pinterest, you’ll want to follow my Spinning Yarns Board:
So pretty! I love the Grandmother’s Washcloth. I’m not good for anything more than a granny square =)
Granny squares would work, too 🙂
Hi Lydia love these cloths ..do you have the pattern for the ones with triangle edges, think its the one mother-in-law made for you thanks. x
Sorry for the late reply. See this post for the pattern: http://www.lifebeyondthekitchen.com/knitted-round-trivet-two-borders/
Great idea! I just kept the cardboard my pans came with but this is so much better and a fun quick project…I can just use my favorite easy coaster pattern and make it bigger. I can’t wait till I start.
Cool idea! I love quick projects like this, too.
This is a great way to prevent scratches on pans.
I used up some yarn, too.
Always looking for patterns to use up left over yarns. These pan protectors will make great gifts. Plan to get started on Christmas sets ASAP.
Glad to hear it Lourayne! Thank you 🙂
Well, that’s just the neatest idea!!
Thanks! I enjoyed making the pieces.
I love this! My pans are always getting scratched up!
Beats paper towels, that’s for sure 🙂
That’s absolutely cute and how clever. Never have a scratch pan ever again. I need to pass this to my mom, she is the crocheter in this house… I’ve tried to learn but I still have my issues LOL. Love love this idea!!!
Hugs
I’m sure she will come up with something beautiful 🙂
Such a great idea!! I love all the patterns, but I think that the Lacy Round Trivet is my favorite 🙂 Too bad, I am not crafty at all!!
I think that’s my favorite too. 🙂
How cool is this!? I need to make one like this for myself. My pans are looking pretty bad.
Thanks, Meagan 🙂
To be honest I don’t protect my pans with anything. But if I had one of these I sure would!
What a clever idea! I don’t have non-stick pans, but my sister does…I’m thinking she needs a set of crocheted pan protectors for Christmas. 😉
I’m sure she’ll love them 🙂
This is genius!! I always end up scratching my pans, so I would totally benefit from making or buying these pan protectors. Great idea!!
Thanks, Cathy! I’m pleased with how they turned out and hope you manage to obtain a set 🙂
I love this idea. What a great way to add color. I also like the idea that these are washable and reusable where the paper towels would be thrown away.
They’ve definitely made themselves useful 🙂 Not bad for some cheap-o acrylic yarn and a few hours browsing the internet for patterns/ideas. Thanks!
Brilliant! A “why didn’t I think of this before?” idea, and a practical alternative to using swatches to make an afghan. What I like most about your idea is that these can be washable….and it justifies my collection of Japanese stitchionaries.
Could I get the website for the Lion Brand one?
The link is right below the image.
The Lacy Round Trivet patter that is supposed to be on the link to Lion Brand Yarn and it is no where to be found.
Looks like Lion Brand is reorganizing their website. Try this cached link (I would grab a screenshot if possible) http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:5rN9G4RekaIJ:www.lionbrand.com/faq/534.html+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=es Starting at Round 23, I did a round of purl, then a round of knit in the main color. I switched colors at Round 25, then a round of purl followed by a round of knit. And finished with the picot bind off linked to in the post. Since the cached page will probably disappear, I’ll find time to write up how I made my version. Hope this helps!
What weight yarn and needle size did you use?
I’m pretty sure all the yarns I used were worsted weight. I don’t recall the needle size for each project, but probably 5mm. The exact gauge isn’t that important. Use whatever size needle works with the yarn you’ve chosen and work the piece until it fits your pan.
I love these but my favorite up there has different edges than the almost list washcloth link. Will you share how you got those edges? I am definitely making these for Christmas presents! Thank you so much (just found you and am going through your past posts).
Sorry for the delayed response, Nicole. Please visit this post for more detail on how to make the lacy round trivet.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I have told some friends about this great idea. Take care!