Star Spangled Trivet & Hot Pad

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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Made with bright washable Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton, 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 Recommended)
• US – H, 5.0mm hook (Furls Fiberarts Recommended)
• 134 yds Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton (100% cotton; Aran/yarn symbol “4”; 99 yds/91 m; 2.01 oz)
  Color A: Blueberry (99 yds/1 ball)
  Color B: Hot Pepper (5 yds/1 ball)
  Color C: Vanilla (30 yds/1 ball)
  This yarn has been discontinued; recommended substitution: Lily Sugar’n Cream
• Finished Size: 10.5″ across at widest point
• Helpful Tutorials/Links: Magic Circle; Wiggle Crochet Trivet; Joining with a dc st; Surface Crochet; Crochet Abbreviations

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.

Step 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.

Step 2: Starting in a new spot, repeat Step 1 with Color C, working around Mesh Rounds 3 and 4.

Step 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!

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. To print this pattern for personal use, please use the green Print Friendly button at the bottom of the pattern, or go to PrintFriendly.com and enter the URL of this page. 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!