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The Winterberry Mug Cozy Free Crochet Pattern is a quick, practical crochet project that adds a handmade touch to your favourite mug. Designed with a soft, textured stitch pattern and a charming bow closure, this mug cozy is perfect for everyday use, gifting, craft fairs, and stash busting.
Whether you are making one for yourself or creating a batch for gifts, this crochet mug cozy works up fast and uses minimal yarn.
Why You’ll Love the Winterberry Mug Cozy
• Free crochet mug cozy pattern
• Quick crochet project using worsted-weight yarn
• Beautiful bobbly texture created with simple stitches
• Designed to fit most standard mugs
• Easy to customize with colours, buttons, or bow placement
• Ideal for gifts, markets, or adding value to handmade sets
This pattern is functional, stylish, and designed to be used year-round.
Video Tutorial
In this tutorial, we will walk through:
• Creating the base
• Working the textured stitch pattern
• Shaping the handle opening
• Adding the chain loop closure
• Crocheting and attaching the bow
• Finishing and styling for gifting
This makes the pattern approachable and stress-free.
Watch the full tutorial on YouTube
Materials Needed:
Yarn:
Worsted Weight # 4
207yds/100g, 60% Cotton, 40% Acrylic Shown in Hilltop, Silver Sage, Cherry Glow, Posy, Wisteria, French Lilac, Oceanside, and Tame Teal
45 Yds for 1 Cozy and 15 yards for 1 Bow
One Size 12oz Mug 5″ x 5″
Yarn Substitutes:
If you do not have the recommended yarn, the following yarns work well:
Premier Home or cone
Craft Cotton 115yds/71g
Lion Brand Made with Love – 185yds/100g
Check out our free guide to substituting yarn
Crochet Hooks
Additional Materials
Guage
Sc/tr: 8 sts and 7 rows equal to 2″ in pattern with 4mm hook
Unsure what gauge is? Take a look at our beginner’s guide to gauge.
Customization Options
This crochet mug cozy pattern is easy to personalize.
• Adjust base increase rounds for wider mugs
• Add or remove body rows to change height
• Use neutral tones for everyday use
• Choose festive colours for holiday gifting
• Skip the bow for a more minimal look
• Use a button instead of the bow for closure
Perfect for matching gift sets or seasonal collections.
Stitch Pattern and Construction
The Winterberry Mug Cozy is worked from the bottom up.
• Circular base worked in joined rounds
• Textured body using alternating single crochet and treble crochet
• Rounds are turned to enhance texture on the right side
• Handle opening worked in rows for flexibility
• Built-in chain loop closure
• Crocheted bow embellishment attached at the top corner
The result is a soft, textured mug cozy that stays securely in place.
Perfect For
• Handmade gifts
• Holiday craft fairs
• Coffee and tea lovers
• Teacher gifts
• Hostess gifts
• Stash-busting projects
• Adding value to gift baskets
Fill your mug with chocolates, tea bags, coffee, or a crocheted dishcloth for an easy handmade gift idea.
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FAQ & Terms
This pattern requires a beginner skill level
This pattern is professionally written in technical writing and tech edited for accuracy. You need to be comfortable reading technical repeats.
Written in standard American terms
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Copyright
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“Pattern by MJ’s Off The Hook Designs Inc.”
Pattern Support is only available in our Facebook Community group and Video Tutorials.
No additional support is provided for modified patterns, alternate yarns, or changes to gauge.
Purchase the Beautifully Designed AD-FREE PDF Download
The printable PDF includes an ad-free, print-friendly version of the pattern, along with bonus gift tags perfect for handmade gifting.
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Abbrevations
Blo – Back Loop Only
Ch – Chain
Rep – Repeat
RS – Right Side
Sc – Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sp(s) – Space(s)
St(s) – Stitch(es)
Tr – Treble Crochet
WS – Wrong Side
( ) – Work step in parentheses in the indicated stitch
Free Mug Cozy Pattern
Notes: To adjust the fit, add an additional increase round to the base for a larger mug. For a smaller mug, work only three increase rounds.
Base Increase Rounds
Round 1:
With A, Magic Ring, ch 1 (does not count as a st here and throughout), work 10 hdc in the ring, pull ring tight, sl st in first hdc to join—10 sts.
Round 2:
Ch 1,2 hdc in each st around, sl st in first hdc to join—20 sts.
Round 3:
Ch 1,1 hdc in first st, 2 hdc in next st, *1 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around, sl st in first hdc to join—30 sts.
Round 4:
Ch 1,1 hdc in first 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *1 hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around, sl st in first hdc to join—40 sts.
Body
Notes: Each round is turned, with the single crochet and treble stitch pattern worked on the wrong side. This allows the right side of the work to pop and enhances the bobbly texture.
Round 1 (RS):
Ch 1, 1 sc blo of each st around, sl st in first sc to join, turn—40 sts.
Round 2 (WS):
Ch 1, 1 sc in first st, 1 tr in next st, *1 sc in next st, 1 tr in next st; rep from * around, sl st in first sc to join, turn—40 sts.
Round 3:
Ch 1, 1 sc in each st around, sl st in first sc to join, turn—40 sts.
Round 4:
Rep Round 2.
Round 5:
Rep Round 3.
Begin working in rows for the handle opening. You may need to adjust the number of rounds to fit your mug handle. The sample mug measures approximately 1 inch from the base to the handle.
Row 1:
Ch 1, 1 sc in first st, *1 tr in next st, 1 sc in next st; rep from * across to last st, leave last st unworked, turn—39 sts.
Row 2:
Ch 1, 1 sc in each st across, turn—39 sts.
Row 3:
Ch 1, 1 sc in first st, *1 tr in next st, 1 sc in next st; rep from * across, turn—39 sts.
Row 4:
Ch 1, 1 sc in each st across, turn—39 sts.
Rows 5-10:
Rep Rows 3 & 4. Adjust the height of the mug cozy as needed to fit your mug, leaving enough space between the last row and the top of the mug for comfortable drinking.
Chain Loop Closure
Once the desired number of rows is reached, do not turn. After completing the last row, ch 20, then sc to the base of the chain at the row edge to secure the loop.
Continue working sc evenly down the row edge, placing 1 sc in each row. Work 1 sc at the base of the rows, then sc up the opposite row edge, again placing 1 sc in each row. At the top edge, work 2 sc in the last row, then sl st to the top edge row to join.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Bow
Row 1 (RS):
With B, loosely ch 51, 1 sc in the back hump (leg) of 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across, turn—50 sts.
Rows 2-4:
Ch 1, 1 sc in each st across, turn—50 sts. Fasten off and weave in tails. Should measure approximately 1″ x 13″.
Assemble the Bow
Fold the crocheted piece in half lengthwise. The folded piece should measure approximately 6.5 inches in length. Measure 3.75 inches down from the folded edge. Using a yarn needle, sew the piece together at the 3.75-inch mark.
Next, press the folded section down to the sewn area to form the bow loops. Separate the unsown sections to create the bow tails. Using the yarn tail, wrap the yarn tightly around the centre of the bow, between the bow tails, to form the centre knot. Wrap as many times as needed for a full, secure look.
Fasten off and use the yarn tails to tie the bow to the top left corner of the cozy, positioning it on the opposite side of the chain loop closure. Fasten off and use the yarn tails to tie the bow to the top left corner of the mug cozy, positioning it on the opposite side of the chain loop closure. Fasten the chain loop over the bow to secure the cozy in place.
The mug cozy will easily slip onto most mugs.
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This pattern is designed by Michelle Moore of MJ’s Off The Hook Designs Inc, based in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada. Your go-to source for modern, easy crochet patterns. Published on January 1st, 2026.
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