Worried that your hot pans will ruin your table or your counter tops? That’s why there are trivets. Trivets are generally metal, set on your tables or counters, and keep hot pans from touching cool surfaces. You don’t have to purchase trivets, which can be very expensive, you can make them yourself. Some craft wire is all you’ll need to make your own.
Trivets can be most any shape but the easiest trivet to make is round. Choose a bowl from your cabinet, or something similarly shaped, to use as a pattern. Set the bowl upside-down on a table to get started. Use craft wire to wrap around the bowl and begin creating the shape of the trivet.
The gauge of wire you use can vary. Wire that is pliable, but not too easy to manipulate, will work best. If you have heavy gauge wire you’ll need to use pliers to twist and bend the wire into shape. Wire that can be bent by hand will mean creating the trivet will be much simpler.
Wrap the wire around the largest part of the bowl to form a circle. Scoot the bowl out of the way and continue creating the design. Lay the wire circle flat on a table to continue. Instead of forming a complete circle with the wire, go just inside the circle to create another, smaller circle. Continue making a smaller circle, and another smaller circle with the wire.
When the first circle is completely filled in with smaller circles your trivet is almost complete. Use a small piece of wire to hold the first end of the wire to the second wire circle. Find two or three more places around the outer ring, evenly spaced, to wire the outside piece to the next circle. The first wire is attached to hold the end in place and the others are added to keep the trivet sitting level.
Use one more small wire to hold the final end of the trivet in place. It is not necessary to add additional wires to this area. The circular trivet will now hold hot pans up and above plastic tablecloths, delicate counter tops and other surfaces.
Some people find it easier to work in the opposite manner when making the trivet. Start by creating a tiny circle with the wire. Use your finger to hold that circle steady while you wrap the wire around and around. Continue making another circle, and another, until the trivet is as large as you want it to be. Wire it together as stated above.
There are things you can do to make each trivet look different than the next. Glue on a decorative cloth pot holder to make one design. To create another design glue a single ceramic tile to the center of the circle. If the wire you’ve used is somewhat heavy you can even add wooden bead legs to the bottom of the trivet.
It’s important that the wire you use will support pans. If the wire is very pliable the wire circle should sit directly on the table. If it’s sturdier than that you can add legs then use it to rest hot pans. Make other trivets by using other shapes.
Wrap wire around a tiny square shape then continue creating larger squares around that one. When the square is as large as you want it to be wire the ends and each side of the square. Create rectangular shaped trivets in the same manner.
Protect your table and other surfaces by making trivets that are easy and attractive. They’re useful, look great, and will keep your surfaces from ending up with scorch marks. It’s very easy to make the trivets so make several. They’ll look great in your kitchen!
Reference:
- Purchase craft wire here: www.acmoore.com
