The pattern can be made plain, striped, fringed, or customized for holidays and gift sets.
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What you need
Make an easy crochet mug rug with this beginner-friendly free pattern. A quick scrap yarn crochet project using cotton yarn, simple stitches, stripes, and optional fringe.
Instructions
This is one of those lovely little crochet projects you can make when you want to use your hands but your brain has already clocked off for the day. It uses only a small amount of yarn, works up quickly, and makes a sweet little handmade gift for tea drinkers, coffee lovers, teachers, neighbours, or anyone who appreciates a pretty place to put a mug and biscuit.
If your yarn basket is full of odd little leftovers, this is a perfect scrap-buster. Make it in stripes, solids, farmhouse neutrals, rainbow brights, or whatever yarn bits are currently rolling around the bottom of your craft bag.
Crochet Mug Rug Pattern
Ch 18.
Row 1: Hdc in the second ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
You should have 17 hdc.
Row 2: Ch 1. Hdc in each st across. Turn.
Rows 3–13: Repeat Row 2.
At the end of Row 13, do not fasten off if you would like to add a border.
Border
Ch 1.
Work sc evenly around the outside edge of the mug rug, placing 2 sc in each corner to help the piece sit flat.
When you return to the beginning, join with a sl st to the first sc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
If your edges look a little wavy, do not panic. Cotton crochet often relaxes nicely after blocking.
Fringe
Cut 24 pieces of yarn, each approximately 5 inches long.
Using two strands at a time, attach fringe evenly along each short edge of the mug rug.
To attach the fringe, fold two strands in half. Insert your hook through the edge stitch, pull the folded loop through slightly, then pull the loose ends through the loop. Gently tighten.
Trim the fringe evenly with scissors.
For a fuller fringe, use three strands per fringe section.
For a cleaner look, skip the fringe completely and leave the border plain.
Optional Stripe Layout
If you want your mug rug to look similar to the colourful version in the pin, try this simple stripe layout:
Rows 1–2: Teal
Rows 3–4: Cream
Rows 5–6: Coral
Rows 7–8: Mustard
Rows 9–10: Cream
Rows 11–13: Teal
Add fringe using small pieces of each colour mixed together.
Blocking Your Mug Rug
Blocking is optional, but it does make the finished mug rug look neater.
Lightly dampen the mug rug with water, shape it into a rectangle, and pin it flat on a blocking mat or towel. Let it dry completely before using.
This is especially helpful if your edges are curling slightly or if your fringe needs taming.
Ways To Use Your Crochet Mug Rug
This little crochet mug rug makes a sweet handmade gift on its own, but it is even better tucked into a themed gift.
You could pair it with a pretty mug, a sachet of tea, a packet of hot chocolate, a small bag of coffee beans, homemade biscuits, or a jar of sweets.
It is also a great make for craft stalls because it is quick, low-cost, and easy to batch in different colours. Make them in seasonal palettes and bundle them in sets of two or four.
Customizing The Pattern
Once you have made one, it is very easy to change the size.
For a wider mug rug, start with a longer chain.
For a taller mug rug, add more rows.
For a chunkier version, use a larger hook and thicker cotton yarn.
For a textured version, alternate rows of half double crochet and single crochet.
For a farmhouse-style version, use cream cotton and add a simple black or grey stripe.
For a Christmas version, use red, white, green, and gold scraps.
For a teacher gift, make a set in school colours and tie them with a ribbon.
Why This Is A Good Scrap Yarn Project
This mug rug uses only a small amount of yarn, which makes it perfect for leftovers from dishcloths, bags, blankets, and cotton home decor projects.
It is also forgiving. Your stripes do not need to be exact, and your colours do not have to match perfectly. In fact, the slightly mismatched scrap-yarn versions are often the ones with the most charm.
If you have lots of tiny yarn balls, make each row a different colour. It gives the mug rug a cheerful patchwork look without any joining or sewing.
Care Instructions
If made with cotton yarn, hand wash or machine wash gently in cool water.
Lay flat to dry.
If the fringe becomes untidy after washing, comb it gently with your fingers and trim any uneven ends.
Avoid putting acrylic mug rugs under very hot dishes or pans.
Skill Level
Beginner friendly
Finished Size
Approximately 5 inches x 4 inches, not including fringe.
Size may vary depending on yarn, hook, and tension.
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