Crochet Polka Dot Mug Rugs

Brighten up your coffee table with these charming, retro-inspired Polka Dot Mug Rugs. Perfect for beginners and seasoned crocheters alike, this project utilizes the tapestry crochet technique to create a neat, reversible fabric with a striking geometric design.

Using two contrasting colors of durable cotton yarn, you will carry the unused strand along your stitches to seamlessly switch colors. Finished with a playful fringed border, these mini mats make excellent gifts or quick weekend stash-busters.

Project Details & Materials

Hook Size: 3.0 mm (UK 11) crochet hook
Yarn: DK weight (Category 3, Light) cotton yarn. You will need two contrasting colors (Color A for the main background/dots, and Color B for the alternating sections).
Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in tails, scissors, and a small comb for the fringe.
Finished Dimensions: Approximately 3.75 inches wide by 5 inches long (9.5 cm by 12 cm), excluding the fringe.
Gauge: 14 single crochet stitches and 13 rows in tapestry crochet equals a 2-inch (5 cm) square.

Key Abbreviations (US Terms)

BLO: Back loop only
Ch: Chain
RS / WS: Right side / Wrong side
Sc: Single crochet
Sl St: Slip stitch
St(s): Stitch(es)

Helpful Technique Notes

Stitch Count: Every single row maintains a strict count of 34 stitches.
Color Blocks: The notation tells you exactly how many stitches to work in each color. For example, “A2, B5” means you will work 1 single crochet in Color A across the next 2 stitches, then switch to Color B and work 1 single crochet across the next 5 stitches.
Tapestry Crochet Technique: Lay the passive yarn color along the tops of the stitches of the previous row. Crochet over this strand so it stays hidden inside your current stitches until you need to switch colors.
Changing Colors Smoothly: To switch colors seamlessly, begin your single crochet with the current color. Pull up a loop, then drop that color. Grab the new color and draw it through both loops on your hook to complete the stitch. The next stitch will now be ready in the new color.

Step-by-Step Written Pattern

To begin, use Color A and make a foundation chain of 35.

Row 1 (RS): Insert your hook into the second chain from the hook. Work 1 sc in each of the next 2 chains using Color A. Introduce Color B, then work 1 sc in each of the next 5 chains. Continue alternating blocks across the row as follows: 5 sc in Color A, 5 sc in Color B, 5 sc in Color A, 5 sc in Color B, 5 sc in Color A, and finish with 2 sc in Color B. (34 sts)

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1 with Color B and turn your work. Work 1 sc in Color B. Switch colors, then work 7 sc in Color A, 3 sc in Color B, 7 sc in Color A, 3 sc in Color B, 7 sc in Color A, 3 sc in Color B, and 3 sc in Color A. Use Color B to pull through the final two loops of the very last stitch to change colors for the next row. (34 sts)

Row 3: Ch 1 with Color B and turn. Work 1 sc in Color B, 7 sc in Color A, 3 sc in Color B, 7 sc in Color A, 3 sc in Color B, 7 sc in Color A, 3 sc in Color B, and 3 sc in Color A. (34 sts)

Row 4: Ch 1 with Color A and turn. Work 2 sc in Color A, 5 sc in Color B, 5 sc in Color A, 5 sc in Color B, 5 sc in Color A, 5 sc in Color B, 5 sc in Color A, and 2 sc in Color B. (34 sts)

Row 5: Ch 1 with Color B and turn. Work 2 sc in Color B, 5 sc in Color A, 5 sc in Color B, 5 sc in Color A, 5 sc in Color B, 5 sc in Color A, 5 sc in Color B, and 2 sc in Color A. (34 sts)

Row 6: Ch 1 with Color A and turn. Work 3 sc in Color A, 3 sc in Color B, 7 sc in Color A, 3 sc in Color B, 7 sc in Color A, 3 sc in Color B, 7 sc in Color A, and 1 sc in Color B. Change back to Color A on the final pull-through of the last stitch. (34 sts)

Row 7: Ch 1 with Color A and turn. Work 3 sc in Color A, 3 sc in Color B, 7 sc in Color A, 3 sc in Color B, 7 sc in Color A, 3 sc in Color B, 7 sc in Color A, and 1 sc in Color B. (34 sts)

Row 8: Ch 1 with Color B and turn. Work 2 sc in Color B, 5 sc in Color A, 5 sc in Color B, 5 sc in Color A, 5 sc in Color B, 5 sc in Color A, 5 sc in Color B, and 2 sc in Color A. (34 sts)

Row 9: Ch 1 with Color A and turn. Work 2 sc in Color A, 5 sc in Color B, 5 sc in Color A, 5 sc in Color B, 5 sc in Color A, 5 sc in Color B, 5 sc in Color A, and 2 sc in Color B. (34 sts)

Row 10: Ch 1 with Color B and turn. Work 1 sc in Color B, 7 sc in Color A, 3 sc in Color B, 7 sc in Color A, 3 sc in Color B, 7 sc in Color A, 3 sc in Color B, and 3 sc in Color A. (34 sts)

Rows 11 through 18: Keep building the polka dot design by repeating the sequence from Rows 3 to 10.

Rows 19 through 24: Work another repeat sequence by following the instructions from Rows 3 to 8.

Row 25 (RS): Ch 1 with Color A and turn your piece. To create a clean, finished top edge, work 1 slip stitch into the back loop only (BLO) of every stitch across the row.

Cut your yarn, pull it through the final loop to fasten off, and weave all remaining yarn ends securely into the back of the rug using your tapestry needle.

Adding the Fringe

Cut 48 individual strands of yarn, each measuring roughly 4 inches (10 cm) long. You can mix your colors or use a single shade for the fringe.
Insert your crochet hook into the edge stitch of a row. Fold a strand of yarn in half to form a loop, catch the loop with your hook, and pull it slightly through the edge stitch.
Use your hook or fingers to pull the two loose yarn tails through the loop you just created, then pull tightly to lock the knot in place.
Secure one piece of fringe to both the left and right ends of every single row.
Use a small comb to brush out and separate the yarn fibers, then trim the edges with sharp scissors so the fringe looks even and neat.