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Single Crochet Santa Mug Cozy with Embroidered Accents

A fitted cotton mug cozy featuring Santa's cheerful face with embroidered eyes and a pom-pom beard.

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Difficulty
🟢 Beginner
Time
⏱️ 1-2 hours
Hook
🪡 I / 5.5mm
Yardage
🧶 approximately 80 yards
Est. Cost
💰 $5–$7
Finished Size
📏 8 inches circumference x 4 inches tall (fits standard 12-16 oz mug)
⚠️
Always make a gauge swatch before starting!
Gauge: 16 sc x 16 rows = 4 inches in single crochet
Adjust hook size as needed to match gauge.
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At a Glance

The Single Crochet Santa Mug Cozy with Embroidered Accents is a free Beginner-level wearable pattern using Worsted weight yarn with a I / 5.5mm hook . Estimated time: 1-2 hours. Finished size: 8 inches circumference x 4 inches tall (fits standard 12-16 oz mug). You'll need approximately approximately 80 yards of yarn.

6 steps across 3 sections  ·  Free under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — you can sell finished items

🧶 Pattern Instructions

💡 Tip: Keep tension consistent and fairly tight to ensure the cozy grips the mug securely without gaps.
  1. Round 1
    With red yarn, make a magic ring. Work 32 sc in the ring, st">sl st to join. Place stitch marker at beginning of round. (32 sts)
  2. Rounds 2-10
    Sc in each st around, st">sl st to join. Move stitch marker to the beginning of the next round. Repeat for 9 rounds total. (32 sts)
Row counter:
💡 Tip: The white section represents Santa's fur trim. Keep it neat and even for a polished finish.
  1. Round 11
    Change to white yarn. Sc in each st around, st">sl st to join. (32 sts)
  2. Round 12
    Sc in each st around, st">sl st to join. (32 sts)
Row counter:
💡 Tip: Position facial features before finalizing attachments to ensure Santa has a balanced, happy expression.
  1. Embroidered Eyes
    With black embroidery floss and needle, embroider two eyes on the red section, roughly 1 inch apart and centered vertically. Use small X-stitches or French knots for each eye. Position them in the upper third of the cozy for a cheerful expression.
  2. Pom-pom Beard
    Using sewing needle and thread, securely attach the white pom-pom to the lower center of the red section, below the embroidered eyes. Use multiple stitches to ensure it is firmly attached and will not pull loose with handling.
Row counter:

✂️ Finishing

Weave in all yarn ends with a yarn needle. Trim any loose fibers. If desired, add optional appliqué details for Santa's hat and nose as follows: For the hat, cut a small red triangle (approximately 1.5 inches tall) from red felt or craft fabric and trim the top with white felt or fabric. For the nose, cut a small pink triangle or circle from pink felt or fabric (approximately 0.5 inches). Using a sewing needle and matching thread, securely stitch these appliqués to the cozy with small whip stitches or backstitch around the edges. Ensure all attachments are secure before use. Block gently by laying flat and allowing to dry if desired, though cotton yarn requires minimal blocking.

🛒 Materials

Worsted weight cotton yarn
80 yards total: 60 yards in red, 20 yards in white, cotton fiber for breathability and durability
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Crochet hook
I / 5.5mm
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Embroidery floss or thread
Black for eyes, needle for stitching
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Pom-pom
1 white pom-pom, 0.75 to 1 inch diameter, for Santa's beard
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Sewing needle
For attaching pom-pom and embroidering eyes
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📖 Abbreviations

View full dictionary →
sc — single crochet → ch — chain → sl st — slip stitch → st(s) — stitch(es) → rnd — round → st — stitch → approx — approximately → inc — increase →

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📌 Before You Begin

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This cozy is worked in joined rounds using single crochet. Slip stitch to join at the end of each round and use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.

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The cozy is designed to fit snugly around a standard 12-16 oz mug. Adjust stitch count in Round 1 if needed for a different mug size.

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Cotton yarn is breathable and food-safe, making this ideal for kitchen use.

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Embroider eyes or use embroidered details before attaching the pom-pom beard.

🎁 Ways to Use This

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A festive gift for coffee or tea lovers during the holiday season—pairs well with a mug of hot cocoa or a gift card to a local café.

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A thoughtful hostess gift for holiday parties, brunch gatherings, or office Secret Santa exchanges.

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Perfect for December decorating in kitchens, home offices, or break rooms; rotate in a collection of seasonal cozy designs.

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A fun craft project to make in bulk and donate to holiday gift drives, retirement communities, or fundraisers.

🧺 Care Instructions

Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Rinse thoroughly. Squeeze gently to remove excess water; do not wring. Lay flat or hang to air dry. Do not machine wash or tumble dry. The pom-pom and embroidered details are delicate—avoid aggressive scrubbing. If the pom-pom becomes matted, gently brush with a soft brush or replace as needed.

🤖 This pattern was generated by AI and may contain errors. Always test your gauge before starting.

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Questions About This Pattern

Absolutely — just match the weight (Worsted). You'll need about approximately 80 yards, so make sure your substitute has enough meterage. Acrylic is budget-friendly and machine-washable; wool gives better stitch definition and drape.
Yes! This is one of the friendlier patterns to start with. You only need to know: sc, ch, sl st, st(s). Work slowly, count your stitches at the end of each row, and don't be afraid to frog (rip back) and redo a section — that's how everyone learns. Budget about 1-2 hours; beginners often take a bit longer, and that's totally fine.
Usually it's the joining or finishing — where individual sections meet and need to align. Read through the entire pattern once before you start so there are no surprises. Use stitch markers generously to track your place, especially in rounds. If a section looks wrong, count your stitches before proceeding — catching an error early saves a lot of frogging later.
For this pattern, gauge is "16 sc x 16 rows = 4 inches in single crochet". For decorative or non-fitted items it's less critical, but matching gauge ensures you use the right amount of yarn and get the proportions the pattern intends. If your swatch is too small (too many stitches/inch), go up a hook size. Too large — go down.
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Rinse thoroughly. Squeeze gently to remove excess water; do not wring. Lay flat or hang to air dry. Do not machine wash or tumble dry. The pom-pom and embroidered details are delicate—avoid aggressive scrubbing. If the pom-pom becomes matted, gently brush with a soft brush or replace as needed. A general rule: when unsure about the yarn, hand wash in cool water with a drop of gentle detergent, squeeze (don't wring), and block flat to dry. This is safe for almost every fiber.
Each section builds on the last, so yes — follow them in order. That said, some finishing sections (like embellishments or optional edging) can be skipped if you prefer a simpler look. Read through all sections before starting so you understand how the pieces fit together and can plan your yarn usage across sections.