Alpine Stitch Mug Rug Crochet Pattern

Mug rugs have become pretty popular as of late and I had to do some digging. What was a mug rug? Why was it popular? What made it different than a coaster? To answer those questions, it’s not really different at all, except that it is almost always a rug shape aka rectangle. These have turned out to be a trend I can actually get on board with cause I love coasters! Below you will find a mug rug crochet pattern I have designed with the Alpine Stitch. It’s simple and fun and full of texture. It will make a great decor piece in your home or a great gift for mom, the kid you know going off to college, or a friend.

For this mug rug crochet pattern you’ll need the following items:

• a 5 mm hook
• at least 1 skein of cotton yarn though you won’t use the full skein (I used Hobby Lobby’s I love this cotton in light grey and hot orchid)
• scissors
• a yarn needle

Two tips that makes fringe easier for me:

• have something to wrap the yarn around. I cut a toilet paper roll to the size I wanted so I could easily wrap the yarn around. I did cut it in half so I had an easy spot to cut through. Nothing is worse than measuring out every single strand. My strands end up being about 2.5 inches long once tied.
• have a bigger hook to pull the yarn ends through the loop for fringe. This is short fringe and it’s hard to pull it through with your fingers.

Pattern Time!

So the mug rug pattern is below. A quick note about the Alpine Stitch. If you’ve never worked this stitch before it’s easy but it can throw you off at first. For this stitch it’s worked 2 rows below the row you’re on. It starts with a row of double crochet and then a row of single crochet. The third row starts the texture. You work a double or triple crochet into that first row of double crochet to get your texture. I’ll have a video on my YouTube of this pattern so you can see more what I mean if the pictures don’t help. Onto the pattern!

Chain 17

Row 1: Work a double crochet into the 3rd chain from the hook and then each stitch across (15)

Row 2: Chain 1 and turn, work a single crochet in each stitch across (15)

Row 3: Chain 2 and turn, work a double crochet in the next stitch, work a front post triple stitch in the double crochet that’s two rows down (skipping the single crochet row) *double crochet, front post triple stitch in double crochet two rows down* across, double crochet in the last stitch (15)

Row 4: Chain 1 and turn, work a single crochet in each stitch across (15)

Row 5: Chain 2 and turn, work a double crochet in the next 2 stitches, work a front post triple stitch in the double crochet two rows down* across, double crochet in the last 2 stitches (15)

Rows 6-18: repeat rows 2-5 for 3 repeats total

Row 19: Chain 1 and turn, work a single crochet in each stitch across (15)

Row 20: Chain 2 and turn, work a double crochet in the next stitch, work a front post triple stitch in the double crochet that’s two rows down (skipping the single crochet row) *double crochet, front post triple stitch in double crochet two rows down* across, double crochet in the last stitch (15)

Edging: Chain 1 and turn, work a single crochet in each stitch across, put 3 single crochets in the last stitch and continue working around the outside edge, evenly placing the single crochets. Work 3 single crochets in each corner. Slip stitch to the first single crochet and finish off.

You have completed the mug rug crochet pattern portion! Now onto the fringe.

Fringe:

Pick a color of cotton yarn, this could be the same color you just used or maybe a 2nd contrasting color. Wrap your yarn around whatever you decided to use. I use a piece of a toilet paper roll that I cut down one side. This gives me 5 inch long pieces of yarn for 2.5 inch long fringe. Wrap and cut your yarn. I usually does this as I go so I don’t end up with way more fringe than needed.

Tying the fringe:

So I use 2 pieces of yarn per spot, but I skip every other. It makes it look a tad fuller without being crazy.

Fold your yarn pieces in half, use your hook and insert it through the stitch you wish to attach fringe to and pull part of the yarn through. Put your hook through your yarn loop and grab the ends and pull them through. It’s still a little tricky since they’re short, but I’ve found it to work well for me. If you have a different process, please do what makes you comfortable!

That’s it! You’re done with your Alpine Stitch mug rug! Want another fun pattern? Check out my Freeze Pop Sleeve pattern. Want to see this pattern in action? Find it on my YouTube!

PS: Find me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Ravelry, and Etsy