Sip your holiday cocoa with a touch of mischief thanks to the Amigurumi Grinch Mug, a crochet project that’s as playful as it is festive! 💚☕🧶 This cheeky design transforms an ordinary mug into a whimsical holiday accent, featuring the Grinch’s expressive face, mischievous eyes, and cozy seasonal details. Perfect for holding your favorite warm drinks or simply adding a dash of personality to your décor, it’s a handmade treasure that brings smiles with every stitch.
Whether displayed on a kitchen shelf, gifted to a Grinch-loving friend, or used as a quirky holiday companion, this mug cover is sure to spread laughter and charm. Fun to make and delightful to use, the Amigurumi Grinch Mug is a joyful way to crochet coziness, character, and a sprinkle of handmade magic—one loop at a time! 🎄✨🧵
🎄 Grinch Mug Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Bring a little mischievous holiday magic to your crochet table with this Grinch Mug Amigurumi Crochet Pattern. This fun and festive design captures the Grinch popping out of a cozy mug, complete with his signature grumpy charm and playful details that make the piece instantly recognizable. Whether you’re decorating for the holidays or creating a handmade gift that’s guaranteed to make someone smile, this project is all about personality and whimsy.
Designed to be both eye-catching and satisfying to crochet, this pattern walks you through each element step by step, from the character details to the mug and finishing touches. It’s a delightful project for amigurumi lovers who enjoy seasonal makes with lots of character—and a perfect addition to your Christmas crochet collection. 🎄🧶
📏 Finished Size
Approx. 18–20 cm (7–8 in) tall including legs
Mug body is short and stout, with height roughly equal to width.
🧶 Skill Level
Intermediate – this pattern uses tight single crochet, shaping, embroidery, and optional internal support for stability.
🧵 Materials (with Yarn Amounts)
- Yarn (tight stitch definition recommended)
- Olive green: approx. 70–80 g (mug body, handle, legs)
- White: approx. 25–30 g (whipped cream topping, boot trim)
- Red: approx. 15–20 g (Santa boots)
- Yellow/mustard: approx. 5 g (eyes)
- Black: small amount (facial embroidery)
- Dark green: small amount (eyebrows, optional)
- Crochet hook: 4.0–4.5 mm (adjust if you crochet loosely)
- Polyester fiberfill
- Aluminum craft wire or floral wire (2–3 mm thick) – recommended for stability
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch marker
- Scissors
Yarn amounts are approximate and based on tight stitching with aran/thick worsted yarn or two strands of worsted held together.
✂️ Abbreviations (US Terms)
MR – magic ring
sc – single crochet
inc – increase
dec – decrease
sl st – slip stitch
ch – chain
hdc – half double crochet
BLO – back loop only
🧱 Mug Body (Green)
Worked in continuous rounds from bottom up.
- MR 6
- inc ×6 (12)
- (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
- (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
- (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
- (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
- (5 sc, inc) ×6 (42)
- BLO sc around (42)
9–18. sc around (42)
Stuff firmly to maintain a rigid, mug-like shape.
Fasten off and close the opening without flattening the base.
👃 Nose (Green)
- MR 6
- (sc, inc) ×3 (9)
3–4. sc around (9)
Lightly stuff.
Sew centered between the eyes. Stitch the bottom edge firmly and attach the top edge slightly higher so the nose tips upward gently.
👀 Eyes (Make 2)
Yellow
- MR 6
- inc ×6 (12)
- sc around (12)
Black pupil
- MR 4, sl st, fasten off
Sew pupils onto the yellow circles.
Attach eyes straight-on and wide-set.
After sewing, pass one vertical tension stitch through the center of each eye and pull gently to create a subtle oval shape.
😈 Eyebrows (Make 2)
Using dark green yarn:
- Ch 8
- Sl st back along the chain
Sew above the eyes with a soft downward curve to create the mischievous expression.
😏 Mouth & Face Embroidery
Using black yarn:
- Stitch a wide curved smile
- Add a short vertical line beneath the nose
Keep embroidery relaxed rather than tight for a natural, handmade look.
☕ Mug Handle (Thick & Sturdy)
- MR 8
2–18. sc around (8)
Insert a gently curved piece of wire inside the handle.
Add minimal stuffing around the wire and shape into a smooth “C”.
Sew the handle securely to the mug at the top and bottom attachment points. Pull the first stitch at each attachment slightly tighter to create the subtle indentation seen in the finished piece.
🍦 Whipped Cream Topping
Whipped Cream Base (White)
- MR 6
- inc ×6 (12)
- (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
- (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
- (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
- sc around (30)
Lightly stuff only if needed to keep a soft dome shape.
Fasten off, leaving a long sewing tail.
Whipped Cream Puffs (Make 8)
- MR 6
- inc ×6 (12)
3–4. sc around (12) - dec ×6 (6)
Stuff firmly, close, and fasten off.
Sew the 8 puffs evenly around the edge of the whipped cream base, forming a ring of rounded “cream dollops.”
Sew the completed whipped cream piece onto the top of the mug.
Add small red and green embroidery stitches as sprinkles.
🦵 Legs with Santa Boots (Make 2)
Green Leg Shaft
- MR 6
2–12. sc around (6) - (sc, inc) ×3 (9) (bend round)
- sc around (9)
Red Boot
- Change to red, sc around (9)
- sc around (9)
- (sc 2, inc) ×3 (12) (toe shaping)
18–19. sc around (12)
White Boot Trim
- Change to white, BLO sc around (12)
Making the Legs Stand and Angle Correctly
Cut two wire pieces long enough to run from the boot toe into the mug body.
- Insert wire into each leg before stuffing
- Lightly stuff around the bend round
- Stuff the boot toe more firmly
- Bend the wire at the bend round so the boot points outward horizontally
- Insert legs through the whipped cream layer, not on top
- Bend wire ends flat inside the mug and secure firmly
This ensures the legs remain upright, playful, and stable.
🧵 Assembly Order
- Sew eyes
- Sew nose
- Embroider face
- Assemble and attach whipped cream topping
- Insert and secure legs
- Attach handle
- Final shaping and adjustments
✨ Optional: Coaster/Base
If you wish to recreate the full display, place the mug on a simple crocheted coaster worked in continuous rounds to the desired diameter. This piece is decorative and not attached to the mug.
🎁 Final Notes
This Grinch Mug Amigurumi is designed to be both expressive and durable, combining thoughtful shaping with firm construction so it holds its form beautifully over time. Whether displayed as part of a holiday vignette, gifted to a fellow Grinch fan, or featured as a statement décor piece, it brings personality and charm to any space.
Take your time with the details—the face, the curve of the handle, and the angle of the boots are what truly bring this character to life. With careful stitching and finishing, you’ll have a festive project that looks just as delightful on display as it does in your hands.
Happy crocheting 🧶🎄
