A Four-Piece Napkin Ring

I noticed a bundle of rolled fabric resting sideways on the breakfast table, its striped cloth starting to unravel without a band. Nearby sat four shiny wooden beads, each drilled with a neat square hole. Instead of just stacking them, I picked up a thick strand of twine and carefully threaded all four beads in a line. Pulling the ends tight into a snug knot, they snapped together into a firm, square loop. I rolled the striped napkin up tightly and slid the four-bead ring right around its middle. It held the cloth perfectly secure, crisp and steady for the morning.