Every time I look around my kitchen, I want more crocheted goodies. I already utilize two mandala-patterned hot pads but really wanted something cute and reflective of my favorite foods. Thus, the Avocado Hot Pad pattern was born!

I’ve been baking a lot of bread lately (sourdough starter - meet quarantine) and I’ve been finding perfectly ripe avocados to put atop perfectly toasted, thick and chewy bread. It’s been absolute heaven!

This hot pad pattern is fairly simple and is pretty quick to whip up. It consists of two sides which are crocheted together. Enjoy!

Materials Needed:

G Hook
Brown yarn (I used some leftover Red Heart Super Saver in Coffee that I had)
Bright Green yarn (for the ripe avocado; I used Craftsmart in Kiwi Green)
Darker Green yarn (for the skin of the avocado; I used Loops & Threads Impeccable in Forest)
Stitch markers (I use large lobster clasps [commonly used for jewelry]… they’re inexpensive and work great!)
Scissors
Larger embroidery / tapestry needle (for weaving in your ends)

Abbreviated Terms:

sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
sc2tog - single crochet next two stitches together, decreasing by 1
sc3tog - single crochet next three stitches together, decreasing by 2
hdc2tog - half double crochet next two stitches together, decreasing by 1
sk - skip next stitch
ch - chain
*** IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT PATTERN:
- 2 hdc means 2 hdc in the same stitch, aka increase by 1
- hdc 2 means 1 hdc over two stitches, aka no increase

Pattern:

We’ll begin by making the ‘inside’ of the avocado, crocheting in the round with joined rows (instead of spiral). You’ll be joining the end of each row to the beginning of that same row with a slip stitch (sl st).

Starting with Brown:

1: Create Magic Circle (MC); 10 hdc in MC (10)

2: (2 hdc in each hdc) x 10 (20)

3: (2 hdc in each hdc, hdc) x 10 (30)

Switch to Bright Green:

4: (2 hdc in each hdc, hdc 2) x 10 (40)

5: (2 hdc in each hdc, hdc 3) x 10 (50)

6: (2 hdc in each hdc, hdc 4) x 10 (60)

7: (2 hdc in each hdc, hdc 5) x 10 (70)

8: (2 hdc in each hdc, hdc 6) x 10 (80)

9: (2 hdc in each hdc, hdc 7) x 10 (90), fasten off

skip 30 stitches, on 31st stitch join yarn and begin row; will now be working in rows (i.e., no longer in the round)

10: sc3tog, sc, hdc 2, 2 hdc, [(hdc 8, 2 hdc) x2], hdc, sc, sc3tog; ch 1 and turn (29)

11: sc3tog, sc, hdc 5, 2 hdc, dc 9, 2 hdc, hdc 5, sc, sc3tog; ch 1 and turn (27)

12: sc3tog, sc, hdc 3, 2 hdc, dc 11, 2 hdc, hdc 3, sc, sc3tog; ch 1 and turn (25)

13: sc2tog, sc, hdc 3, 2 hdc, dc 5, 2 dc, dc 5, 2 hdc, hdc 3, sc, sc2tog; ch 1 and turn (26)

You’ll now be working around the outside of the entire avocado - make sure that the right side is facing you (as pictured above)

14: (the following stitches are along the previous row’s stitches) 6 hdc, hdc 2, 5 hdc, hdc 2, hdc 2, 5 hdc, hdc 2, 6 hdc; (on the side of the top portion) 2 hdc, 3 dc; (start on main circle) 3 dc, hdc, [(hdc 2, 8 hdc) x 6], hdc 2, 2 dc; (on other side of the top portion) 3 dc, 2 hdc, join with sl st in first stitch, join Darker Green and ch 1 (bolded stitches demonstrated below) (108)

With joined Darker Green:

15: 6 hdc, hdc 2, 7 hdc, hdc 3, 7 hdc, hdc 2, 14 hdc, hdc2tog, [(hdc 2, 9 hdc) x 6], hdc 2, 8 hdc, sl st in first hdc. Fasten off yarn and weave in ends (118)

Make a second version of the above for the back of the avocado. Repeat Rows 1 through 15 with only the dark green color. Once you complete Row 15, do not fasten off. Instead, line up two sides of avocado, wrong side together. I have found it works best to match the top of the avocado together to make sure they’re aligned. This will be the middle of the hdc 3 of row 15. Ch 1 and sl st the two sides together, making sure the side with the avocado pit is facing you. You should be starting on the top left portion of the avocado. For this final row, you’ll be hdc’ing through both sides of the avocado.

16: 9 hdc, [(hdc 2, 10 hdc) x 6], hdc 2, 15 hdc, hdc 2, 9 hdc, ch 13 (this will be the little handle to hang your hot pad), sk 1 on body, 8 hdc, sl st into first hdc. Fasten off and weave in ends.