Easy Mug Rug – Free Crochet Pattern

Crochet Mug Rug

Protect your surfaces from hot or cold drinks and add a touch of style to your home decor with this charming mug rug!

Mimicking the look of a traditional rug including the fringed edges, crochet mug rugs are charming and practical and the perfect addition to any table or desk.

This square drink coaster pattern is great for beginners or experienced crocheters looking for a quick and easy project. These easy mug rugs make wonderful gifts. They are also popular items to sell at craft shows. Since they are quick to make, you can crochet a set in a very short time.

Use the Table of Contents below to jump to any section of the pattern or keep scrolling down to view all the details, the video tutorial and the written instructions.

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Make a Matching Placemat!

After making these easy mug rugs, make a matching placemat with this free Easy Placemat Crochet Pattern.

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Make a Matching Table Runner!

Complete the look with this free Easy Crochet Table Runner Pattern.

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Pattern Details (Size, Yarn, Hook & Notes) 

Skill Level

Easy

Size

The pattern creates a mug rug that is approx. 5” x 5” (without the tassels).

Materials

Yarn: You can use any size 4 (medium) yarn. You will need approx. 35 yds for each mug rug.

I used Impeccable yarn by Loops & Threads in the colors Green Lagoon, Plum and Misty Blue. This yarn is size 4 (medium) and 100% acrylic. A skein is 285 yds / 260 m is 4.5 oz / 127.5 g.

Crochet Hook Size: G/7 (4.50 mm).

Other Materials: Scissors, yarn needle and measuring tape. Optional: stitch markers and a piece of cardboard or any object that is 3” wide (to help cut the tassels).

Terminology

The pattern is written in English for right-handed crochet using US terminology. If you are more familiar with UK terminology, check out my US to UK Conversion Chart.

Abbreviations

• ch/chs = chain/chains
• st/sts = stitch/stitches
• sp/sps = space/spaces
• sk = skip 
• sc = single crochet
• ch-1 sp = chain one space
• ch-2 sp = chain two space
  

Gauge

Exact sizing is not important. For reference, 4” x 4” = 9 sc and 16 rows
(following the pattern).

Pattern Notes

• Chains never count as stitches.
• You may find it helpful to place a stitch marker in the first single crochet stitch made in each row. 
• How to adjust the size: The number of starting chains determines the width and the number of rows determines the height. To adjust the width, make more or less starting chains in multiples of 2 + 1 (meaning that your number of starting chains should be an odd number). To adjust the height, make more or less rows.

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Video Tutorial

Watch the step-by-step video tutorial below or keep scrolling down for the written instructions.

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Mug Rug Crochet Pattern Instructions

Start: Chain 23.

For Row 1 (only), work into the back ridge loops.

Row 1: In the third ch from the hook, sc.

*Ch 1. Sk the next ch. In the next ch, sc.* 

Repeat from * to * across. 

(Your final st is a sc in the last ch). 

(At the end of Row 1, you should have: 11 sc sts, 1 ch-2 sp and 10 ch-1 sps). 

Notes:

• The sp between the two skipped starting chs and the first sc creates a “ch-2 sp.”
• Each ch-1, skipped st and sc creates a “ch-1 sp.”
• You will work into these sps on the next row. 

Row 2: Ch 2 and turn. 

In the first ch-1 sp, sc (new ch-2 sp created). 

*Ch 1. In the next ch-1 sp, sc (new ch-1 sp created).*

Repeat from * to * across until the last (ch-2) sp. 

Ch 1. In the last (ch-2) sp (the sp between the last sc and the two chs from the previous row), sc. 

(At the end of Row 2, you should have 11 sc sts (reminder: chs never count as sts), 1 ch-2 sp and 10 ch-1 sps).

Row 3 and on: Repeat Row 2 until the height of your work matches your width. For me, this was approx. 5” and I made 19 rows in total).

You can end after any row. After reaching your desired height, fasten off and weave in loose ends.

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Adding Tassels/Fringe

Attach tassels to the left and right sides (it doesn’t matter whether the front or the back of the mug rug is facing you). Place one tassel at the top, one at the bottom and the rest approx. every other row, all spaced evenly apart.

For 19 rows, make 10 tassels for each side (or your number of rows, divided by 2 + 1). Note: You may find you need more or less depending on how they are spaced. Just ensure even spacing between. 

Preparing Your Yarn for Tassels:

Each tassel has 2 strands of yarn. You will need approx. 40 x 6” strands of yarn (for fringe / tassels that are approx. 1” long once attached and trimmed). To make the tassels shorter or longer, cut smaller or bigger strands.

Tip for cutting the strands: find an object that is 3” wide (a piece of cardboard, a notebook, etc). Wrap your yarn around the 3” object 40 times. Cut the yarn in half. 

Attaching the Tassels:

A) Insert your hook where you want to attach the tassel from the back to the front. Take two strands of yarn, fold them in half and with your hook, pull the folded ends through the stitch (which creates a loop).

B) Pull the ends through the loop. 

C) Pull tight to make a knot. 

Repeat for each tassel.

Trim the strands to make them all one length. I cut mine to be approx. 1”. You can use scissors or you can try this brilliant technique (pictured above) to get perfectly even ends – learn how in this guide on How to Add Fringe / Tassels to your Crochet Project.

And now you have a new mug rug!

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