Get ready for the new school year with this free crochet back-to-school mug pattern! Perfect for play kitchens and pretend classrooms, this beginner-friendly crochet project is designed to look like a classic lined writing page, complete with customizable alphabet letters and a sweet little apple appliqué. Whether you’re looking for a quick crochet gift for a child or teacher, a fun handmade addition to a play food collection, or a seasonal decor piece, this easy crochet mug pattern works up fast and is great for beginners. Add it to your back-to-school crochet craft projects list and bring a touch of handmade charm to your little one’s imaginative play. For more crochet mug (for every season), be sure to check all my other free patterns here.
Materials:
- 3mm hook
- White, blue, pink, black, red, green and brown yarn. I used light (3) acrylic yarn.
- Stuffing material
- Scissors
- Needle
- Stitch marker
Finished size:
Approx. 7 cm tall by 11 cm wide (including handle).
Terms and abbreviations (US Terms):
- Stitch(es) (st(s))
- Chain (ch)
- Slip Stitch (sl st)
- Single crochet (sc)
- Increase (inc)
- Decrease (dec)
Pattern Note:
-This pattern is worked in continuous rounds. There is no need to join with a slip stitch at the end of each round.
Mug:
Round 1: In white, 6 sc in a magic circle. (6)
Round 2: Inc around. (12)
Round 3: (1 sc, 1 inc) repeat around. (18)
Round 4: (2 sc, 1 inc) repeat around. (24)
Round 5: (3 sc, 1 inc) repeat around. (30)
Round 6: (4 sc, 1 inc) repeat around. (36)
Round 7: (5 sc, 1 inc) repeat around. (42)
Round 8: In the back loops only, sc around. (42)
Round 9: Sc around. (42)
Round 10: Join blue yarn and sl st around. (42)
Round 11: In white, sc around in BOTH the back loop of blue sl st and the front loop of round 9. (42) [See picture below]
Round 12: Sc around. (42)
Round 13: Join blue yarn and sl st around. (42)
Round 14: In white, sc around in BOTH the back loop of blue sl st and the front loop of round 12. (42)
Round 15: Sc around. (42)
Round 16: Join blue yarn and sl st around. (42)
Round 17: In white, sc around in BOTH the back loop of blue sl st and the front loop of round 15. (42)
Round 18: Sc around. (42)
19: (5 sc, 1 dec) repeat around. (36)
20: In the front loops only, sc around. Cut and tie off. (36)
Coffee:
Round 1: In brown, 6 sc in a magic circle. (6)
Round 2: Inc around. (12)
Round 3: (1 sc, 1 inc) repeat around. (18)
Round 4: (2 sc, 1 inc) repeat around. (24)
Round 5: (3 sc, 1 inc) repeat around. (30)
Round 6: (4 sc, 1 inc) repeat around. Cut off leaving a long tail for sewing. (36)
Handle:
Round 1: In white, 6 sc in a magic circle. (6)
Rounds 2-18: Sc around. Cut off leaving a long tail for sewing. (6)
Punch Holes:
Round 1: In blue, 4 sc in a magic circle, sl st in 1st st. (4)
Cut off leaving a tail for sewing. Make 3.
Steam:
If desired, you can add a little “steam” to show that your coffee mug is pipping hot. To do so, cut a small thread of white yarn (around 10 cm), weave it through the centre of the coffee, and tie it in place. With cat slicker brush, brush the yarn to separate yarn threads and create texture. If necessary, cut the yarn to a desired length, you can even twirl the strands to form the smoke.
Apple:
Round 1: In red, 6 sc in a magic circle. (6)
Round 2: Inc around. (12)
Round 3: Sc, 2 dc in the next st, 2 dc in the next st, hdc, sc, hdc, sl st, hdc, sc, hdc, 2 dc in the next st, 2 dc in the next st, sl st in first st. (16) Cut off leaving a tail for sewing.
Stem: In brown, ch 4. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc, sc, sl st. Cut off and attach to the apple.
Worm: In green, ch 7. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in every st. Cut off and attach to the apple.
To assemble:
-Put stuffing into the mug and stitch the coffee inside the mug in the back loops from round 20.
-Embroider a pink line to the side of the mug as well as letters in black. Attach punch holes next to the pink line.
-Attach the handle to the side of the mug.
-Sew in apple to the mug.
-Enjoy!
I hope you enjoyed this free crochet back-to-school mug pattern. I would be so thrilled to see your creations so please be sure to tag me on Instagram @baubles_and_yarn so I can see and share them.
This pattern was designed by Baubles and Yarn. You may sell finished items made from this pattern but please include credits to Baubles and Yarn.
Until next time, happy crocheting!
