USA Mug Rug – Free Crochet Pattern

USA Crochet Coasters

Bring a touch of red, white and blue to your home with these easy USA Mug Rugs! These patriotic crochet mug rugs are quick to make, beginner-friendly and perfect for summer decorating, Fourth of July celebrations, Memorial Day gatherings or everyday use.

This pattern includes detailed written instructions and a step-by-step video tutorial so you can easily crochet an American flag inspired mug rug. They also make thoughtful handmade gifts, party decorations or quick stash-busting projects. Make one for yourself or crochet a whole set to use throughout the summer season or any time of year!

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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Pattern Details

Skill Level

The skill level is easy and beginner-friendly.

Size

The pattern creates a mug rug/coaster that is approximately (without the tassels): 5.75” wide and 4.5” high.

Materials

Yarn: You can use any size 4 (medium) yarn in the colors Red, White and Blue. For each mug rug, you will need approximately:

• Red: 30 yds.
• White: 30 yds.
• Blue: 5 yds.

I used Impeccable yarn by Loops & Threads in the colors “Cherry” (Red), “White,” and “Blue Moon” (Blue). This yarn is size 4 (medium) and 100% acrylic. A skein is 285 yds / 260 m and 4.5 oz / 127.5 g. 

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

Other Materials: Yarn needle, scissors and a measuring tape. 

Terminology

This pattern is written for right-handed crochet using standard US terminology. If you’re more familiar with UK terms, here’s my US to UK Conversion Chart. 

Abbreviations

• ch/chs = chain/chains
• RS = right side (front) 
• sc = single crochet 
• st/sts = stitch/stitches
• WS = wrong side (back)

Gauge

Exact sizing is not important. For reference, 4” x 4” = 14 sc sts and 17 rows. 

Pattern Notes

• All rows have 20 single crochet stitches. Chains never count as stitches. 
• To change colors: place the new color on your hook and pull it through the loop of the old color that’s currently on your hook.
• To fasten off: cut the yarn that’s attached to your skein. 
• It’s normal for your work to curl. Adding tassels at the end will help. For best results, block your finished mug rug before cutting your tassels. 

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 any number (there’s no multiple required). On Row 13, the pattern instructs you to make 8 sc with Blue. If you adjust the width, you may want to make more or less Blue sc sts (you can make any number). If you do that, ensure you make the same number of Blue sc sts each time you use Blue. 

To adjust the height, repeat Rows 2 and 3 more or less times before completing Row 13. You can also repeat Rows 13 and 14 more or less times. 

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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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Just a Reminder!

This pattern is also available as a PDF, which includes everything listed here but as a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF that you can instantly download, save, print, make notes on and keep forever.

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Pattern Instructions

Start: With Red, ch 21.

Row 1 (WS): Use Red for all of Row 1.

In the second ch from the hook, sc. 

Sc in each ch across.

(Reminder: all rows have 20 sc sts)

Row 2 (RS): Change to White. Fasten off Red. 

Use White for all of Row 2.

Ch 1 and turn.

In the first st, sc. 

Sc in each st across.

Row 3 (WS): Change to Red. Fasten off White. 

Use Red for all of Row 3.

Ch 1 and turn.

In the first st, sc. 

Sc in each st across.

Row 4 (RS): Repeat Row 2.

Row 5 (WS): Repeat Row 3.

Row 6 (RS): Repeat Row 2.

Row 7 (WS): Repeat Row 3.

Row 8 (RS): Repeat Row 2.

Row 9 (WS): Repeat Row 3.

Row 10 (RS): Repeat Row 2.

Row 11 (WS): Repeat Row 3. 

Row 12 (RS): Repeat Row 2.

Row 13 (WS): Change to Blue. Fasten off White.

With Blue, ch 1 and turn.

With Blue, sc in the first st.

With Blue, sc in the next 7 sts.

Note: Next, you will add a new color and fasten off the old color mid-row. Only these mid-row starting and ending tails will be woven in at the end of the pattern. Ensure these tails are long enough so you can weave them into your work (mine were around 8”). Also, always keep any strands along the WS (the back). 

Change to Red. Fasten off Blue.

With Red, sc in the last 12 sts. 

Note: When changing from Blue to Red, small strands of Blue are connected to the last Blue sc st. On the next row, do not work into these strands — only work into the tops of the sc sts (you will be working into 12 Red sc sts and 8 Blue sc sts). You should always have 20 sc sts in total. 

Row 14 (RS): Change to White. Fasten off Red.

Use White for all of Row 14. 

Ch 1 and turn.

In the first st, sc. 

Sc in each st across. 

Row 15 (WS): Repeat Row 13. 

Row 16 (RS): Repeat Row 14.

Row 17 (WS): Repeat Row 13.

Row 18 (RS): Repeat Row 14.

Row 19 (WS): Repeat Row 13. 

Fasten off Red (cut the yarn that’s attached to the skein and pull the end through the loop that was on your hook). 

Weave in the mid-row loose ends only (these are from Row 13 – the ending tails of Blue and the starting tails of Red). 

Tassels/Fringe

Preparing Your Yarn:

Cut strands of yarn that are 6″ long. The actual strands once attached and trimmed are 0.75” but they need to be longer to attach them. 

You will need:

• Red: 17 strands
• White: 18 strands 
• Blue: 4 strands 

Tassels are made with 1 strand of yarn and incorporate the leftover tails at the end of each row. 

Tip for cutting the strands: find an object that is 3” long (a piece of cardboard, a deck of cards, etc). Wrap your yarn around the 3” object 17 times for Red, 18 times for White and 4 times for Blue (each wrap = 1 strand). Cut the yarn in half. 

Where to Attach the Tassels:

Attach one* tassel into or around the st at the end each row, matching the tassel to the row color. Exact placement is not important. (The video tutorial shows exactly where I attached my tassels). 

*For the last row on the left side (the only place without any starting/ending tails), attach 2 strands instead of one. 

How to Attach the Tassels:

Before attaching any tassels, gently pull every starting/ending tail to ensure they are tight. 

Tip: you may find it helpful to use a smaller hook for Step B).

A) With the RS facing you, insert your hook from back to front into or around the st at the end of the row. Take 1 strand of yarn, fold it in half, and place the folded center on your hook.

B) With your hook, pull the folded end through the stitch (which creates a loop).

C) Pull the ends through the loop. Before closing the loop, pick up the starting or ending tail for that row and pull it through the loop. 

D) Pull tight to make a knot. 

Repeat steps A) – D) for each tassel. 

Blocking (Optional):

Blocking can help correct any curling and help shape your work. To block your finished mug rug, pin it on a blocking board with rust-proof pins, spray it with water and leave it to dry. For best results, block the mug rug before cutting the tassels. 

Once all tassels are attached, trim the strands to make them all one length – you can use scissors or a rotary cutter. I trimmed mine to be 0.75” long.

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And now you have a new USA mug rug! 

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