How to Make a Homemade Trivet

Keep your table and counters safe from hot dishes with this homemade trivet for indoor use.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE A TRIVET

• 45-50 jumbo wood craft sticks
• 45-50 8-millimeter wooden beads
• 45-50 12mm wooden beads
• 2 yards of 1mm elastic cord
• 1⁄8-inch drill bit
• Power drill (For adult use only)
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil

WHAT YOU’LL DO TO MAKE A TRIVET

STEP 1. Ask an adult to drill three holes in a straight line down the center of each craft stick. Using a ruler and pencil, measure and mark ½ inch from the rounded top end. The bottom hole should measure ½ inch from the opposite rounded end. Last, the middle hole will be halfway between the top and bottom holes.

Tip: After drilling the first stick, your adult assistant can use it as a template for the rest. They can stack two or three sticks at a time to speed up the process — but drill slowly.

STEP 2. Measure and cut three pieces of elastic cord at 8 inches, 24 inches and 42 inches.

STEP 3. Tie a knot at the end of each piece. Next, pull the 8-inch cord through the bottom hole, the 24-inch cord through the middle hole and the 42-inch cord through the top hole.

STEP 4. Slide a 12mm bead onto the elastic at the top, an 8mm bead in the middle and nothing on the bottom. Thread on the next stick and repeat this process until you have a circle.

Tip: Customize your trivet with colorful beads and craft sticks — mix and match colors to make it your own!

STEP 5. Once you have added enough craft sticks and beads to make an entire circle, gently pull the elastic cords tight enough to hold the circular shape. Then tie the loose ends to the knotted ends on the first stick.