Ever wonder how to make a Turk’s Head Knot Coaster? A flat Turk’s Head Knot is perfect for rope coasters and trivets. I’ll show you how to tie a Turk’s Head Knot with this DIY coaster tutorial, step-by-step instructions, and a video tutorial.
So, I think the official definition of a ‘crafter’ or ‘DIY-er’ must somewhere contain a reference to the fact that we are prone to see something somewhere and say to ourselves, “Hey, I bet I can do that! Sure, I will teach myself how to tie a Turk’s Head Knot.”
And I’ve seen the joke floating around the internet that goes something like this “Why buy it for $5 when you can make it with $90 of craft supplies.” Guilty as charged…sometimes.
But, for those of us who need to have something to keep our hands busy while traveling or watching ‘Game of Thrones’ (counting down the days to the season premiere…in May 2017!?) or just because we like to make things, the ‘crafter’ hat is one we gladly wear. That “Hey, I bet I can do that!” crafter who loves a challenge is the one who saw these Turk’s Head Coasters & Trivets in a charming little shop in New York last month and came home determined to use a flat Turk’s Head Knot to make DIY coasters and trivets.
Now, lest you think that these lovely knots take some sort of knotting expertise, I can attest that they don’t. While I was a Girl Scout many, many moons ago (and actually won some award for selling great quantities of cookies because I hit up all the sailors on the ship my dad served on), my knotting know-how began and ended with the making of a sit-upon during a camping trip on a beach on the island of Saipan with the largest coconut crabs my 7th-grade eyes had ever seen.
Not surprisingly, that camping trip was my last camping trip. (Have you ever seen a coconut crab? If not, check them out here and then tell me having these critters outside of your tent when you had hit the latrine in the middle of the night wouldn’t have scarred you!)
This disclaimer also holds to all the bonafide knotters out there who may be aghast at my ‘knotting’ technique. This is the Lynn ‘layman’s’ version of how to make Turk’s Head Knot Coasters & Trivets and is in no way to be interpreted as the ‘official’ sailor, Boy Scout, mountain climber, or what-have-you version of the Turk’s Head Knot.
I’m sure that the ‘real’ knotters out there don’t use a little cushion with push pins; I mean, they’re scaling a mountain or rigging a boat or surviving in the wilderness with only beef jerky and a piece of rope, and surely wouldn’t have, or need, such cushion, cardboard, and pushpins. OK…now that we have that out of the way, let the knotting shenanigans begin.
Supplies Needed for Turk’s Head Knot DIY Coasters & Trivets:
Some of these are affiliate links, and I will earn a small commission off the sale of these products, but the price you are charged is not affected. You can see my full disclosure policy here.
- I used a 3/16″ triple-ply cotton rope. You’ll want to find the stiffest you can. I had to look around and finally found my best option on an Etsy storefront that sells bird toy supplies! Here’s the link to the rope I used. I bought 100′, which will make 12 (3.5″-4″) coasters or 2 (6″) trivets and 6-8 coasters.
- Cardboard, either one thick piece (think from a corrugated box) or 2 thinner pieces (like from the back of a pad of paper or notebook)
- Foam or cushion or corkboard. I used the backside of a computer lap desk.
- Push Pins
- Ruler or Yardstick
- Tape
- Needle and Thread (I used a heavy-duty thread)
How to Make DIY Turk’s Head Coasters & Trivets:
- Determine the size of the rope trivet or coaster that you want. (I find that the coasters lie a little flatter when closer to 4″ than they do at 3.5″) Multiply the dimension in inches by 2.1 to determine how many feet of rope you need. Make sure to tape where you will cut so that your rope doesn’t unwind.
- Using a compass or other device, trace a circle the size of the trivet/coaster that you want on a piece of cardboard. I taped my cardboard onto the back cushion of a computer lap desk, but a piece of foam or cork bulletin board would work well too.
- Use pushpins to make points of a star approximately equidistant apart.
- Print off or refer to the diagram showing how the rope is woven under or over to make the Turk’s Head knot. You can print the PDF here.
- In addition to the diagram, here’s a video tutorial with instructions on how to tie a Turks’ Head Knot. This video is longer than my usual ditty, but it shows the process from start to finish.
- Once your knot is finished, sew the raw ends as shown in the following video.
- While the coasters don’t need it, I opt to shore up my trivets just a tad. I do this by running a stitch through each of the bights, where it wouldn’t be seen from the top. Once again, knot purists might shudder at this practice, but I am not a knot purist and just want to ensure the trivet is as snug as possible.
Once you have made 1-2 of these coasters or trivets and get the hang of it, you’ll be able to whip them out rather quickly. I made the 6″ trivet in the video in less than 13 minutes, complete with all my editorial comments! You could easily whip up quite a stash of DIY rope coasters & trivets in a weekend and have a store for giving as gifts when you need them in a pinch.
Turk’s Head Knot Coasters & Trivets…Perfect for Gifting!
So there you have it, my friends… I’m crushing on the Turk’s Head knot right now, especially in these DIY coasters & trivets. It was a good chance to don my ‘Hey, I bet I could do that!’ hat and have something to show for it in the end.
Thanks again for spending a few minutes of your busy day with me today.
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Until next time…
Hugs,
25 Comments
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Hi there, I’m Lynn and I’m in my happy place when cooking, baking, creating, crafting, diy-ing or gardening. You too? We should be friends! Reach me at [email protected] Read more about me here.
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Linda at Mixed Kreations
July 20, 2016 at 9:34 amCute coasters Lynn! They do look like they would be hard to make, but your tutorial makes it look easier then I thought they would be.
I agree with you on the definition of a diy’er. I am always telling myself I can make that, and the hubby ” it doesn’t cost much why not just buy it”. I guess it’s the challenge for us diy’ers. LOL
lynn
July 25, 2016 at 5:31 pmLinda, my fellow ‘diy-er’, thanks for swinging by! Truthfully, with the print off, it’s really quite easy. Give them a try!
Mary-the boondocks blog
July 22, 2016 at 6:15 amHow cute is this Lynn? And I’ve been wanting to make coasters but was never happy with what was out there. This would be perfect for me as it has the nautical theme going on!
lynn
July 25, 2016 at 5:30 pmRight up your nautical alley Mary! They’d be perfect for you and for gifts! Have fun making them. Really quite easy when you get the hang of it.
Carol @ The Red Painted Cottage
July 24, 2016 at 6:26 pmI’m applauding you for making these! They do look like it takes lots of concentration, but you did an amazing job and it looks like something you might find in a high end store. BTW, I took a look at those crabs, OMG…NO THANK YOU!!
lynn
July 25, 2016 at 5:29 pmHey Carol, it was an undertaking, but once I got the hang of it, it really was quite easy. I’m definitely gearing up to mass produce them for Christmas gifts! And those crabs…I know! Skeered the beejeebers out of me!
See you soon!
Lynn
Nikki
July 25, 2016 at 11:12 amLynn, I love these so much! I need some new trivets to use on the dining room table and these are the coolest! I’ve Pinned and Stumbled so I can make sure to have the instructions on hand! Thanks for sharing how you did it, I’m definitely going to need that video!!!
lynn
July 25, 2016 at 5:26 pmHey Nikki…I know that when you give this a try,you’ll get the hang of it. Really quite easy with the print off of the diagram…I promise. Give it a try and let me know how you did!
Hugs, Lynn
Debbie
July 25, 2016 at 1:13 pmHi Lynn, you are so clever! Just reading the instructions and looking at the images left me in awe of your dknotting skills! You say you aren’t a knotter, but I’m impressed.
Pinning.
xx
lynn
July 25, 2016 at 5:24 pmThanks Debbie…promise you, my skills are really limited. Anyone could do this! Hope you give it a try.
Hugs, LYnn
Denise Moore
August 8, 2016 at 3:58 pmLynn I am so glad I met you at Haven. Your blog is full of all kinds of great projects! I am going to try these.
lynn
August 10, 2016 at 9:49 pmHey Denise, so great to meet you too! Love all your jewelry designs…you have a good thing going on there! Are you back to reality yet? I’m still recovering, but also counting the days until next year!
Blake Procaccino
August 21, 2016 at 5:01 pmInterresting design, thanks for sharing! br br But I wonder, wouldn t the same be possibly using a print-out of such a coaster for the pin-placement? Just wondering whether the 3D-print is strictly necessary for those who do not have access to such a device.
lynn
August 21, 2016 at 6:30 pmHi Blake…the print out is not a 3D print out. In fact, it is just a print out of a coaster. If you have access to a plain old printer, you can print this out and use it for your design. Have fun with it!
Hugs, Lynn
Liz
August 30, 2016 at 4:33 pmI’m totally with you when it comes to “Hey, I bet I can do that!” and needing to keep my hands busy during Game of Thrones episodes. These look great! I love the knot; I’ll have to play around and try this then 🙂
lynn
August 31, 2016 at 6:45 amOh…you’re a GOT gal too! I ❤ that show…especially Jon Snow, followed closely by Tyrion. Did you hear that there will only be 2 more seasons? I’ve been thinking of starting back at the beginning again, but can’t get my hubby on board with me on that. But yeah, I always need something to do when watching TV…once you’ve got the hang of it you could whip out a couple of these coasters during an episode…easy peasy.
Hugs, Lynn
Jess
June 19, 2017 at 7:22 pmHow long did it take you to make these? I am thinking of making these as part of my favors for my wedding but want to see how long it would take and if I would have the time to do it. Let me know they are super cute!
lynn
June 21, 2017 at 10:00 amHi Jess…once you get the hang of it I imagine you could turn one coaster out in under 30 minutes…Think they’d be great wedding favors! Great idea. Get your fiance in on the action…you could whip out a bunch watching TV.
Nilufer Orsoglu
May 12, 2018 at 3:11 amHi Lynn,
Your tutorials are very helpful. Thank you very much. But ı have a problem. I want to make big pot holder from Turk’s head knot but I couldn’t find any instructions. Do you know the technics of it? Your answer will be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance..
Nilufer
lynn
May 14, 2018 at 12:14 pmHello Nilufer…are you talking about a potholder that you would hold in your hand or one that you would put on table to put your pot on? My post does show how to make a trivet on which to put a a pot on while on a table, but not sure you would want to make a hand held potholder as I think the rope might separate and cause a burn.
Let me know if the trivet is what you are looking to make and I will be glad to help.
Have a great day my friend.
Hugs, LYnn
Darlene Fralick
November 29, 2019 at 11:06 amWhere do I find the Colored version picture of tying the Turks Head Knot Trivet and coaster
lynn
November 29, 2019 at 12:37 pmHi Darlene, there is a link to the PDF in the post!
let me know if you still have trouble.
Hugs,
Lynn
Michelle
September 5, 2021 at 11:58 pmI found one of these Turkish head knot trivets at a thrift/antique store last weekend. I had never seen one before and I fell in love with the feel and form of it, yet didn’t buy it ($8) I, like you, figured I could make one. Thank you for taking the time to produce this video. It is saving me a lot of time from a trial and error method. Question for you… Have you ever washed your coasters or trivets?
lynn
September 6, 2021 at 9:33 amHi Michelle,
A like-minded crafter! Yay! I think you will enjoy making the trivets and will get the hang of it quickly. Will you be making them as gifts?
I have not washed them yet. If I needed to, I think I would not put them in the washing machine. Instead, I would hand wash them in cold water and re-shape them before letting them dry. I don’t think you’ll have a problem. That being said, I am away from home right now. But when I get home, I’ll try washing one. I think it’s a great question.
Hugs,
Lynn
Cassandra Kettenhofen
February 24, 2022 at 4:40 amI have made knots, like this, in the past and I find their intricacies, are what makes them so attractive, for handmade gifts, from the start. But give this project to person, like myself, who has ADHD and OCD, this was an experiment in practicing mindfulness and patience and there truly is something to be said, in learning something new, as an adult and doing this for myself. As opposed to being an eleven year old me and this being our assignment. I’ll take the grownup version, any day of the week! LOL!
Cassandra