This funny splat cat mug rug came to life when my stepson saw something similar online and asked me to make one to gift to his girlfriend. Since I love cats, I wanted to sit down and design my own unique version. That is how the splat cat coaster crochet pattern was born.
It is a quick project that makes a wonderful gift for any cat lover in your life.
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Project Overview
This project is a flat coaster with a 3D face that pops right up when you place your mug down. It uses simple stitches to build the round body and small pieces for the detailing.
PATTERN TYPE: Coaster and mug rug
PATTERN LEVEL: BEGINNER
ABBREVIATIONS: Written in US terms using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations
SIZE: 10cm in diameter
YARN INFORMATION: Acrylic DK Yarn
YARN QUANTITY: 100g balls in 2 contrasting colors like light gray/dark gray or brown/beige, plus small amounts of black, white, and red
CROCHET HOOK: 4mm
MATERIALS USED: darning needle, scissors, pins, toy stuffing
PDF: available on Etsy
VIDEO TUTORIAL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV5ZdvIBvro
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How This Pattern Came To Life
My stepson was browsing online when he came across a funny flattened animal mat. He thought it was hilarious and immediately asked if I could make one for his girlfriend as a special gift. I liked the concept but knew I needed to put my own spin on it.
As a cat owner and designer, a feline version was the obvious choice. I went to my stash and started experimenting with holding two strands of yarn together to get a nice mottled texture that looks like cat fur.
The design came together quickly. The flat splattered body contrasts perfectly with the big silly eyes and the little tongue peeking out. My stepson loved the final look, and it was a hit with his girlfriend too. I knew right away I had to share the instructions on Crafting Happiness so you could make your own.
Why You Will Love This Project
- Quick stash buster project that uses small amounts of leftover DK yarn
- Double strand technique creates a thick sturdy base for hot drinks
- Flat body with a pop up face makes everyone smile when they lift their mug
- Easy customization using any color combinations to match your favorite pet
BEST FOR: Mug rugs, desk decorations, housewarming gifts, and cat lovers
Who This Coaster Is For
- Beginners who want to practice crocheting in the round and assembling small parts.
- Advanced makers looking for a fun evening project that works up in under an hour.
- People looking for a unique handmade gift that is practical and funny.
Step By Step Video Instruction
I recorded a full step by step video tutorial to guide you through the entire making process from start to finish. It covers how to make the splattered body shape, how to fold the ears around the eyes, and how to sew the pieces together cleanly.
You can watch the video below to see exactly where to position the facial features so they pop up perfectly when a mug is placed on top. Be sure to save it to your playlists for later.
How To Crochet A Funny Splat Cat Mug Rug Free Pattern & Video
Supplies I Selected
I chose a standard acrylic DK yarn held double for the main body and ears to give the coaster extra thickness and color depth. You will also need small bits of black and white for the bug eyes, and a bright red or pink for the tongue.
A 4mm hook gives the perfect tight tension so the stuffing stays hidden inside the eyes.
If you do not have this exact yarn on hand or if it is hard to find where you live, you can easily use a single strand of worsted or aran weight yarn instead.
Take a look at our yarn substitutions page to find a matching alternative from your own yarn collection.
Crochet Abbreviations
Written in US terms using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- ch(s) – chain(s)
- yo – yarn over
- sl st – slip stitch
- mr – magic ring
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- inc – increase
- dec – decrease
How To Crochet The Splat Cat
The splatter cat coaster is made out of the following parts:
- tongue
- body
- ears
- eyes
The Body
With dark gray and gray strands held together
Round 1: Make a magic ring, dc in next 12sts, sl st=12
Round 2: (2dc) x 12 , sl st =24
Round 3: *(2dc), dc* x 12, sl st, fasten off, weave in ends= 36
With 2 strands of dark gray together join in any st
With dark gray and gray strands held together
Round 1: Make a magic ring, dc in next 12sts, sl st=12
Round 2: (2dc) x 12 , sl st =24
Round 3: *(2dc), dc* x 12, sl st, fasten off, weave in ends= 36
With 2 strands of dark gray together join in any st
Round 4: starting from where you joined, **sc, ch8, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next, *ch2, sl st in 2nd, sl st in next* x 3, sl st in next 5chs, sc in next 8sts** × 3, sc, ch8, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next, *ch2, sl st in 2nd, sl st in next* x 3, sl st in next 5chs, sc in next 4sc, ch12, (2hdc) in 2nd ch from hook (2hdc) in next 3chs, hdc in next 7chs, sc in next 4sts, sl st, fasten off, weave in all ends = 36 sts
The Ears
Make 2 with 1 strand of dark gray and 1 strand of gray held together
Round 1: ch2, (2sc) in 2nd ch from hook, ch1, turn = 2
Round 2: (2sc) in next 2sts, ch1, turn = 4
Round 3: sc in each st, ch1, turn = 4
Round 4: (2sc), sc in next 2sts, (2sc), ch1, turn = 6
Round 5: sc in each st, ch1, turn = 6
Round 6: (2sc), sc in next 4sts, (2sc), ch1, turn = 8
Round 7: sc in each st = 8
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Join with 1 strand of dark gray at the top corner of the triangle.
R8: starting from the same corner, (3sc), 1sc in each of the 7 rows, (3sc) in the next corner, sc in next 6sts at the bottom of the triangle, (3sc) in the corner, 1sc in each of the 7 rows, sl st, fasten off, leave a long tail = 29
The Eyes
Make 2 with black dk yarn and a 4mm crochet hook.
Round 1: 6sc in the magic ring, pull the tail to close the hole shut, sl st = 6
Switch to white
Round 2: inc x 6 = 12
Round 3: *inc, sc* × 6 = 18
Round 4: sc in each st = 18
Round 5: *dec, sc* x 6 = 12
Fasten off and leave a long tail.
Stuff the eye with toy stuffing. Use the tail to close the hole.
The Tongue
Make 1 with red yarn
Round 1: ch5, (2hdc) in 2nd ch from hook, (2hdc) in next ch, SC in last 2chs, fasten off,don’t weave in the ends.
Eyes & Ears Assembly
Start by placing one eyeball at the base of an ear. Use the eyeball’s yarn tail to secure it to the ear.
Thread your needle through the top stitches where the eyeball touches the ear, making sure you don’t go all the way through to the back of the ear.
Make a knot and weave in the end.
Once the eyeball is secured at the base, wrap the ear around it so it sits inside like a little cocoon.
Use the ear’s yarn tail and pass the needle through the two corners and the eyeball to hold them together. Keep your tension relaxed here so you don’t squish the eye. Then pass the needle through both the year corners and eye again to the other side.
Thread the remaining tail to the center edge of the ear. You will use this tail to attach the face to the coaster body.
Repeat these steps for the second ear and eyeball.
Attaching The Face To The Body
Place the two ears side-by-side on the body between the front legs.
Do not place them right on the edge. Instead, position them between the last 2 rounds. You can use safety pins to test the placement first.
Sew the eyes to the blanket. Then sew the 2 eyes together by pushing the needle through both eyes making sure they are neatly squished together.
When the coaster is flipped up, the eyes will face down, but when you lay it flat, the face will pop right back up.
Weave in and hide your remaining ends.
Attaching The Tongue
Position the tongue right in the middle, tucked just under the two eyes.
Thread one yarn tail from the tongue straight down through the body, then thread the second tail through a stitch just next to it.
Flip the coaster over, tie the two tails into a tight double knot right underneath the tongue, and thread the remaining ends directly through the back of the tongue to hide them completely.
Test it by placing a mug on top. The Face shouls pop up.
Use any 2 contrasting yarns to create the effect or you can use Aran yarn if you want it in one color.
Your splattered cat is not complete.
Happy Crocheting!
Download The Ad Free Printable Version
If you prefer to work from a printed document on your desk, you can purchase the clean premium PDF version in my shop. It features full photo steps and clean layouts that are easy to follow.
You can also join my Patreon community where members get access to my latest pattern releases at a discount.
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Final Thoughts
Thank you for choosing my pattern to add a bit of fun to your coffee table. I hope you enjoy making a set of these splattered cats for your friends and family. Happy Crocheting.
If you found this post helpful, please like and share. Follow me on Pinterest for more crochet inspiration. Follow us on Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook @CraftingHappinessCrochet.
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Copyright
© 2026 Crafting Happiness. All rights reserved.
The photographs in this tutorial are subject to copyright and are the property of Crafting Happiness. Don’t use them to advertise your own creations. You may use photos from this post only if you directly link back to this tutorial.
