Garter Stitch Trivet Pattern
With this Free, Knit Garter Stitch Trivet Pattern and a spool of rope, you could knit several handy trivets in a day!
Trivets are one of those things that everyone can use and make great gifts, especially for anyone who spends any time in the kitchen. If you like to make and give handmade gifts to your friends and family, add these trivets to your ‘to-make’ list.
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A $19.00 spool of cotton rope is enough for four trivets, making this not only a useful but also an economical gift.
Table of Contents
Best Fibers for Making Trivets
Trivets are used to protect surfaces from hot pots and pans, so the most important factor in choosing a yarn for a trivet is heat resistance. The yarn should not melt or burn easily, and it should be thick enough to provide a barrier between the hot object and the surface. Here are a few options:
- Cotton: This is probably the most common choice for knitting trivets. It is widely available, inexpensive, comes in many colors, and can handle high temperatures. However, it may not provide as much insulation as other fibers.
- Wool: Wool is a natural insulator, so it can protect surfaces very well. It also does not melt, although it can burn if exposed to a direct flame. Note that wool requires special care when washing, and it may felt over time, especially if exposed to heat and moisture.
- Heat-resistant synthetic fibers: Some synthetic fibers are designed to be heat-resistant, and these could be used for a trivet. However, many synthetic fibers will melt at high temperatures, so be sure to choose carefully.
The thickness of the yarn is also an important factor. A thicker yarn will provide more insulation, so consider using a bulky or super bulky yarn, or doubling up a thinner yarn. The stitch pattern can also affect the insulation, with denser stitches generally providing more protection.
Material Needed for a 7.5″ Square Garter Stitch Trivet:
- 25 yards of 6mm cotton rope. This is what I used.
- US 15 (10mm) knitting needles
- Crochet Hook N15 (10mm) (optional, but will be useful to weave ends in.)
- Leather or Faux Leather Tags (optional)
- The free, printable version of this garter stitch trivet pattern is available in the Subscriber Library or you can click this link to have it sent directly to your email inbox.
Knit Garter Stitch Trivet Pattern
Gauge: 6.5 stitches and 6 rows = 4 inches
- Cast on 12 stitches, loosely
- *SL1K, K 10, P
- Repeat from * for 20 rows (until the trivet measures 7.25” or is as tall as it is wide)
- Bind off.
- If you want to make a loop out of the yarn, before you pull the final rope through the last bind-off loop, keep the loop and pull the tail end around the base of the stitch twice, and then weave the ends in.
- Weave ends in.
Tips for Success with this Garter Stitch Trivet Pattern
- Knit loosely! Your hands will get a workout knitting the thick rope of these trivets and knitting loosely will make it easier.
- Using a metal, plastic or other slick surfaced knitting needle will help the rope yarn slide more easily off of the needles.
- The instructions tell you to slip the first stitch on every row and purl the last stitch on every row. By following these steps, your selvage edges will have a lovely braid effect.
There you have it, my friends! Have fun knitting your trivets and adding to your gift stash! Bookmark this page or pin the following image to refer back to this garter stitch trivet pattern in the future.
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Before Christmas I threw out all my old trivets and made 6 of your knitted cotton trivets! I love them and my family was impressed with them at Christmas dinner. My daughter asked me to make a couple for her and she was very happy to receive them.
I love receiving your weekly posts and making some of your patterns and recipes. I have never been disappointed with anything I’ve tried!
This is the first time I’ve written to tell you how much I enjoy your posts…I have been remiss in not doing it sooner! Thank you for sharing everything!
Oh Cathi,
What a lovely note! Thank you so much.
I’m beyond tickled that the garter stitch trivet pattern worked so well for you! And now, your daugther!
I use mine regularly, I like it better than ones I have purchased.
Thanks so much for writing in! 😘
Dear Lynn: You might remember my frustrated note to you about making the flowery book marker (actually not making it). SO, next I used a red ball, a green ball, and a white ball of kitchen rope and with the three made two trivets last night all ready for my friends birthday lunch today. She was thrilled. I lost that page where I put the stars.
When I find it I’ll be giving you five stars.
Hi Astrid, I”m so glad the trivets worked well for you and sorry for the bookmarks! Do you have any suggestions to make the pattern better?
hi Lynn, do you think changing how many stitches I cast on would allow me to make coasters for coffee cups? thanks!
Absolutely! Think that’d be perfect!