Crochet Crab Mug Rug Free Pattern

Since I released my Monstera Leaf Crochet Mug Rug Pattern a few weeks ago, I have been really enjoying making crochet mug rugs. I particularly enjoy making crochet mug rugs that have fun images on them. Since it is summer, I wanted to come up with a fun and summery crochet pattern and at our house, we really like crabs so I decided to create a crochet crab mug rug free pattern. We named it the Happy Crab Mug Rug.

This free mug rug pattern is accessible for beginners and even better: there are a few ends to weave in! Most of the ends are tied off on the sides to create the tassels and the only ends to weave in are the black yarn ends. If you want to have the odd black yarn strand in your tassels, you could just carry the yarn and have no ends to weave in, should you prefer that. But either way, this crochet crab mug rug free pattern is a lot of fun to make.

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Before we get into the Happy Crab Mug Rug pattern, let’s talk about the technique that I used for this and why it’s so much fun. Tapestry Crochet was used to create this crochet crab mug rug free pattern and you will be working your project with the right side always facing you. Unused yarn is carried as you work each row and both colours are finished off at the end of each row, reattaching your yarn in the first stitch for every new row.

To create the tassels, you’ll leave a tail of a few inches on both sides of the project and trim them up at the end. When we introduce the third colour into our project, the black yarn, it will be the only yarn ends you’ll have to weave in. The red and white yarn are worked from end to end and used to create the tassels. If you don’t want the tassels, you can weave in your ends if you choose but I think it adds to the rug feel of my little crochet mug rug.

Purchase an inexpensive ad-free PDF version of this pattern which includes the written version and the colourwork chart in my Ravelry and Etsy shops.

Gauge isn’t critical for this project, but keep in mind that not matching gauge will affect the size of your crochet mug rug and how much yarn that you will use. Yarn yardage given for this project is approximate and based on the gauge given.

For this project, I used my favourite multi-purpose cotton yarn: WeCrochet Dishie. You’ll need the colours Black, Fiesta Red and Swan (White) if you want to match my crochet crab mug rug exactly but crabs come in a variety of different colours so have fun mixing it up. I plan on making a blue crab for my next Happy Crab Mug Rug.

This project uses a colourwork chart to illustrate the crab image. This chart is to be read from right to left for right-handed crocheters and left to right for my left-handed friends. If you’d prefer to have the colour changes written out for you, the ad-free PDF version of the pattern includes both the colour chart and the full written version of the pattern. Ad-free PDF versions of this crochet crab mug rug free pattern are available in both my Ravelry and Etsy shops.

Crochet Crab Mug Rug Free Pattern – Happy Crab Mug Rug

Other Free Crochet Coaster and Mug Rug Patterns available on my site:

• Monstera Leaf Crochet Mug Rug
• The Ghoster Coaster – Free Crochet Coaster Pattern
• It’s Coffee Time Crochet Mug Rug

Disclaimer:

Feel free to sell the item created by this pattern but please provide pattern credit back to me when posting online, and please provide a link to my blog: https://theloopylamb.com.  Please do not resell, distribute, duplicate, or share this pattern in any printed or digital form, or claim this pattern as your own original design.  Please do not use my photos when selling your finished items.   

Skill Level:

• Easy

Terminology:

• U.S. Terminology

Supplies:

• 3.5 mm Furls Crochet Hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
  
  
• 29 yds/27 m (0.53 oz/15g) of WeCrochet Dishie in Swan
  
  
• 4 yds/4 m (0.07 oz/2g) of WeCrochet Dishie in Black
  
  
• 21 yds/20 m (0.4 oz/11g) of WeCrochet Dishie in Fiesta Red
  
  
• Scissors
  
  
• Tapestry Needle

If you’re planning on buying the materials for this project, please consider doing so through this affiliate link. It helps to support the blog at zero cost to you and allows me to continue to bring you great free crochet patterns like this one.

Abbreviations:

• BLO = Back Loop Only
  
  
• CH = Chain
  
  
• ST = Stitch
  
  
• SL ST = Slip Stitch
  
  
• SC = Single Crochet
  
  
• FO = Finish Off

Finished Size:

• 5.25” tall by 5.75” wide not including fringe

Gauge:

• 22 sts x 17 rows = 4 inches

NOTES:

• Gauge is not vital to the pattern but it may affect the size of your project and the amount of yarn required
  
  
• Carry unused colours and crochet over them as you work.
  
  
• This entire project is worked in rows worked in the BLO (back loops only).  When reattaching your yarn at the start of a Row, attach your SLST under both loops of the first ST.
  
  
• When starting each row, leave a tail a few inches long of both main colours (red and white) hanging on the edge of your work so you will have fringe on both sides.
  
  
• Each row ends but fastening off both colours, leaving a tail of a few inches to create your fringe (you’ll trim it up at the end)
  
  
• Attach black yarn as needed in the pattern but do not carry to the yarn to the end of the row.  Cut the yarn when finished in each row and weave in the ends.  Alternatively, the black yarn can be attached and carried as outlined above and you won’t need to weave in any ends.
  
  
• Start Rows 2-22 by reattaching the main color yarn to the first ST of the previous Row and carrying the yarn inside your stitches.

Purchase an inexpensive ad-free PDF version of this pattern which includes the written version and the colourwork chart in my Ravelry and Etsy shops.

Want even more crochet mug rug patterns?

• Crochet Penguin Coaster
• Spooky Spider Crochet Mug Rug
• Crochet Witch Hat Mug Rug

I hope you enjoyed this crochet mug rug free pattern! I’d love to see your finished Happy Crab Mug Rug. Tag me on Instagram when you share your finished mug rugs for a chance to be featured. If you have any questions about this pattern or would like to leave me a message, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Happy hooking friends!

Disclaimer:

Feel free to sell the item created by this pattern but please provide pattern credit back to me when posting online, and please provide a link to my blog: https://theloopylamb.com.  Please do not resell, distribute, duplicate, or share this pattern in any printed or digital form, or claim this pattern as your own original design.  Please do not use my photos when selling your finished items.   

I’d love to see your finished items!  Please share your finished makes by tagging the pattern on Ravelry, sharing it to our Facebook page or Instagram.  Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest 

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