What do you call that thing you put under hot dishes to protect the table? Trivet? Hot pad? The world seems divided! But united we stand, and the Star Spangled Trivet (or Hot Pad!) is ready to stand up to whatever you dish out - and look festive while doing it!
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Make It In Colorful Washable Cotton
Made with bright washable cotton yarn, this free trivet pattern will perk up your table for years to come! It starts with a mesh base, and then the "wiggles" are added to create the fun 3D look - and keep your counters and tables safe!
Star Spangled Trivet & Hot Pad
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US - I, 5.5mm hook (Furls Fiberarts)
US - H, 5.0mm hook (Furls Fiberarts)
134 yds 100% cotton, 4-Medium Weight Yarn (original discontinued)
A: Blueberry (99 yds)
B: Hot Pepper (5 yds)
C: Vanilla (30 yds)
Recommended substitution: Lily Sugar'n Cream
Finished Size: 10.5" across at widest point
Helpful Tutorials/Links:
Star Spangled Trivet & Hot Pad Instructions
MESH INSTRUCTIONS: use larger hook and CA
Round 1: Make a magic circle, ch 6 (counts as dc and ch 3), [dc in the ring, ch 3] 4 times, join to 3rd ch with sl st. (5 dc)
Round 2: Sl st into next ch-3 sp, ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), (dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1, dc) in same ch-3 sp, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1, dc) in each remaining ch-3 sp around, join to 3rd ch. (20 dc)
Round 3: Sl st into next ch-1 sp, ch 4, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, dc in next ch-1 sp, *dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, dc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * around, join to 3rd ch. (30 dc)
Round 4: Sl st into next ch-1 sp, ch 4, dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-2 sp, [ch 1, dc in next ch-1 sp] twice, *[dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] twice, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-2 sp, [ch 1, dc in next ch-1 sp] twice; repeat from * around, join to 3rd ch. (40 dc)
Round 5: Sl st into next ch-1 sp, ch 4, [dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] twice, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-2 sp, [ch 1, dc in next ch-1 sp] three times, *[dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] three times, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-2 sp, [ch 1, dc in next ch-1 sp] three times; repeat from * around, join to 3rd ch. (50 dc)
Round 6: Sl st into next ch-1 sp, ch 4, [dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] three times, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-2 sp, [ch 1, dc in next ch-1 sp] four times, *[dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] four times, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-2 sp, [ch 1, dc in next ch-1 sp] four times; repeat from * around, join to 3rd ch. (60 dc)
Round 7: Sl st into next ch-1 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in next 4 ch-1 sps, 5 dc in next ch-2 sp, 2 dc in next 4 ch-1 sps, dc in next ch-1 sp, dc2tog in same ch-1 sp and next ch-1 sp (skipping 2 sts in between posts of st), *dc in same ch-1 sp as last part of previous st, 2 dc in next 4 ch-1 sps, 5 dc in next ch-2 sp, 2 dc in next 4 ch-1 sps, dc in next ch-1 sp, dc2tog in same ch-1 sp and next ch-1 sp (skipping 2 sts in between posts of st); repeat from * around, join to top of ch-3, break yarn. (120 dc)
WIGGLES INSTRUCTIONS: use smaller hook and colors as directed
NOTE: The “wiggles” are worked in a spiral, starting in the middle, 2 rounds in each color. If you are unfamiliar with wiggle crochet, please view the video tutorial linked above.
1: With Color B, join with dc around bottom of post of any dc of Mesh Round 1 as for a front post st, dc 2 along post, working to the top of the post, 3 dc along post of next dc (working top to bottom), *3 dc around post of next st (working bottom to top), 3 dc around post of next st (working top to bottom); repeat from * around until all posts of Round 1 have been crocheted around, then without breaking yarn, move to the closest st of Round 2 and repeat around.
2: Starting in a new spot, repeat Step 1 with Color C, working around Mesh Rounds 3 and 4.
3: Starting in a new spot, repeat Step 1 with Color A, working around Mesh Rounds 5 and 6.
OPTIONAL EDGING INSTRUCTIONS: use smaller hook and Color C
Surface crochet around the top (under both loops) of Round 7 of the mesh.
After the mesh is added, the star wants to be more of a pentagon. To emphasize the star shape, I blocked the trivet with a pin in each point, and another pin in between pushing the indents in. Then I sprayed it with water and let it air dry. Easy peasy!
And that's it for the Star Spangled Trivet! It can be made in one evening, and if you want to change the size that's easy too. Just add or subtract rows of mesh, following the established pattern!
I hope you enjoy this free crochet hot pad... or free crochet trivet pattern! It adds such a great pop of color, and is so practical, you'll want to make one to leave with the host and hostess of every barbeque you attend this summer!
The Fine Print
Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2016, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, or translate it to another language, please visit the About page for details. Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for providing the yarn for this pattern!
Judy says
Simply perfect! These will look great on any 4th of July table. Thank you for the pattern!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you so much Judy!
Angelica says
Wow! What a fabulous design. I just can say: MUST make it 😉 Thank you so much for the pattern. I love stars!
Besides, it'll be useful as a practice 'cause I've never worked with these 'wiggles'. They look great and the first time I saw them thought they would be great for rugs and at last winter sales I bought quite a lot of yarn to knit one for my living-room, I want it to change the old one next winter so... Hope it can be crocheted quickly, I've got a big project ahead!
Katie B says
This is stunning - I can't wait to make some. Thank you for the pattern!
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much Katie, I'm so glad you like it!
Darlene says
In my family, this would be a hot pad (cloth), not a trivet (usually has feet, made of metal or wood). Either way this is definitely on my wim list! First you had the round one, and I thought, hmm, might have to try that some time. Next came the heart (or at least that was the order I saw them). And then I thought, have to find the time to try that some time. Now it's got to buy more yarn! I have the red and white, but I don't have any blue. Now I have a reason to head to my lys, not that I always need one!
Thanks so much for your wonderful patterns. I think I've made more of yours than any other designer out there right now.
Tamara Kelly says
Now I've learned something too! 😀 Thank you Darlene!
Lori says
So cute, thank you for the pattern, will surely make some of these! Love anything red, white & blue!!!!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you Lori!
Judith Martin says
Always heard that a trivet was made of something hard, like metal or wood. A hotpad is fabric, crochet like this or quilted.
Tamara Kelly says
Ah! I haven't heard them defined that way, but it does make a lot of sense! Thank you Judith!
Patricia says
I love this pattern and knew it was perfect for my dil. Showed her the pic today and mesh I finished for it and she's so excited! Thanks so much for a COOL Fourth pattern my dil will cherish.
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you!!
Patricia says
Second post. I forgot to say that I am loving the Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton yarn. What great colors it has and it's not hard on my hands.
Tamara Kelly says
I'm so glad to hear it! 🙂
Lori Craven says
Can you please make a YouTube tutorial for this pattern.i cannot understand the mesh part.please and thank you
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Lori! I'll add it to the to-do list! 🙂
Corina Cariveau says
Greetings from Los angeles!
Pam says
I haven't actually got my hooks & yarn out yet to try, but would a hdc help at the inside points of the star to help with the effect of it wanting to be a pentagon?
Tamara Kelly says
You can certainly try it! I think a well placed picot might help too!
Karina says
Really wonderful Im going to do it, great regards from Argentina thank you A lot!!!!
Alicia says
Definitely more of a pentagon, but really nice! I am going to add a hdc where the indents of the star should be and see what happens! Love the wiggles!