Needlepointers.com Logo

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Tutorial and Free Pattern

Free Plastic Canvas Mug Rug Pattern and Video Tutorial!

Learn how to create a pretty plastic canvas mug rug using the scotch stitch, framed with rows and columns done in the continental stitch.  

With a few basic supplies - yarn, plastic canvas and yarn needle - you can create this scotch stitch plastic canvas mug rug.

The scotch stitch allows for quick completion of this project, which is perfect for holding both a beverage and a snack or adding a textured decorative touch to your home décor. 

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Tutorial - fb

Are Plastic Canvas DIY Projects Expensive?

Plastic canvas crafts are one of the most reasonably priced DIY crafts.  With only a few inexpensive supplies - plastic canvas, yarn, scissors and yarn needle - you can create lovely projects. Typically, only a small amount of yarn is needed for a project, so scrap yarns in your yarn stash will suffice.  Additionally, there are thousands of free plastic canvas patterns available on the Internet.

Although my mug rug is a fun way to hold a beverage and a snack, it's versatile.  They are a cute addition to protect furniture under plants, serve as a desk mat for drinks, office supplies and small gadgets, hold keys and small items in an entryway, or use under serving bowls at the dining table.

It also makes thoughtful homemade gifts for friends and family, especially those who love their coffee and tea.

Watch this video tutorial or follow the step-by-step photo guide below to make your own plastic canvas mug rug.


PRINTABLE PDF TUTORIAL - If you would like an ad free printable version of this tutorial optimized for printing, please visit our Etsy Shop listing for Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Tutorial and Pattern #ad. For a small fee, you can purchase a PDF downloadable version of this tutorial.
Keep reading for the free version of this tutorial.


COMPLETE VIDEO TUTORIAL AVAILABLE! The video below is a preview with no audio, to watch the whole video tutorial, click the link Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Tutorial and Free Pattern to watch in Youtube.


Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. We make a small commission on sales through the affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for your purchase and your support! Please see our full Affiliate Statement for more information.

what is the scotch stitch?

The Scotch stitch is a series of diagonal stitches that create a square-like pattern. The stitches increase and decrease in length to produce the square.

how to make the scotch stitch plastic canvas mug rugScotch Stitch Mug Rug Two Finished

craft supplies NEEDed to stitch the mug rug:

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug 1 Supplies

finished measurement:

Size without fringe: 6 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Size with fringe: 11" x 4 1/4"

INSTRUCTIONS :

STEP 1: print the pattern

First, download and print the free plastic canvas pattern. The link to the printable PDF is at the bottom of the page in the "Supporting Products and Links" section.Scotch Stitch Mug Rug 2 Pattern You may have to set your printer in landscape mode when you print this pattern.

STEP 2: Prepare the plastic canvas

With a scissor, cut a piece of plastic mesh canvas that is 47 holes wide by 27 holes high. Scotch Stitch Mug Rug 3 Cut Plastic Canvas

Step 3: Start the Scotch Stitch

Let’s begin by making the first scotch stitch! For this project, the scotch stitch resembles a square worked in diagonal lines over four threads.

Thread the yarn needle with your chosen yarn for the scotch stitch.

We will begin stitching the scotch stitch in the top left-hand corner.  As with any stitch, you will be bringing the threaded needle up from the back of the canvas to the front, leaving a short tail in the back of the plastic canvas which the first several stitches will secure.

Start by creating a small diagonal stitch (a tent stitch) by starting in the top left corner. Count 2 holes horizontally and then 3 holes down vertically. Scotch Stitch Mug Rug 4 Scotch Begin Tent StitchBring the needle up from the back of the canvas through that hole leaving a short yarn tail on the back.

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Needle DownTake the needle down in the next diagonal hole. Notice you have crossed one mesh thread.

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Start Second StitchFor the next stitch, bring the needle to the front one hole below the first stitch Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Skip One Hole Needle Downand make another stitch diagonally to the previous one, by skipping one hole and going down in the second hole.

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Start Third StitchBring the needle up directly below the second stitch, Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Skip Two Holes Needle Downskip two holes and go down into the third hole forming the third diagonal stitch.

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Work One More StitchWork one more stitch in the same way by bringing the needle up below the previous stitch and making the stitch diagonally to the previous one.

Now let’s start to decrease the length of the stitches so we can form a square when finished. Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Start Decrease Needle UpBring the needle up in the hole next to the last stitch. Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Needle Down Skip Two HolesSkip two holes and go down in the third hole which will be right below the last stitch.

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Make Second Decrease StitchUp directly next to the last stitch, skip one hole and go down in the second hole.

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Last Stitch Tent StitchFinally, finish with a tent stitch, up in the hole directly next to the last stitch and down diagonally in the next hole.

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Finished SquareRepeat this scotch stitch pattern across the canvas as indicated in the printed pattern.

Step 4: Stitch Border Around Scotch Stitches

Once the scotch stitch squares are completed, use the continental stitch (also known as a tent stitch) to create the border framing around the scotch stitch squares.

Thread the needle with the color yarn you want to use for the framing.

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Continental Stitch Needle UpWith the right side of the plastic canvas facing you, begin in the right corner, count one hole left and one hole down. Bring the needle up from the back of the canvas through this hole.Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Continental Stitch Needle Down Take the needle down in the next diagonal hole toward the right.

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Needle Up Continental StitchBring the needle to the front in the hole next to the first stitch. Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Continental Stitch Diagonal HoleTake the needle down in the next diagonal hole on the first row.

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Continental Stitch RowContinue with the continental stitch around all the scotch stitch squares.

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Continental Stitch Back of CanvasContinental Stitch On the Back Of Canvas

I like using the continental tent stitch because it produces dense rows of slanting stitches on the back of the canvas ensuring good, dense coverage. 

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Continental Stitch FinishedYou’ll be left with a row of threads around the outside.

Step 5: Overcast the Long Edges

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Overcast StitchAfter finishing the framing around the scotch stitch squares, use the overcast stitch along the two long sides of the mug rug.Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Overcast Stitch Finished

Step 6: Add Fringe to the Short Edges

The final step is to add fringe to the two short sides of the plastic canvas mug rug.

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Fringe with Needle Cut 56 pieces of yarn 6” long.

Fold one piece of yarn in half and thread both ends through the eye of the needle.  Here is a handy tip on how to thread a needle with yarn.

Insert the needle into a hole at the end of the mug rug from the front to the back.  Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Fringe LoopPull the yarn through until a loop forms on the front.

Pass the needle through the loop and pull tight to create a fringe. Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Fringe AttachedRemove the needle from the yarn.

Repeat this process adding fringe to all the holes along the two short edges.

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug 28 Fringe addedOnce the fringe is complete, lay the mug rug on a flat surface and trim the fringe so it’s all an even length.

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug 29 FinishedYour scotch stitch plastic canvas mug rug is now finished!  Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Finished with Mug and CookiesWhether you use it for coffee, tea and a snack or as a decorative item, this easy project is fun to make and a practical addition to any room.

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial on how to make this plastic canvas project, a mug rug with the scotch stitch.

Have a fun stitching day!

 Annette's Signature 

PRINTABLE PDF TUTORIAL - If you would like an ad free printable version of this tutorial optimized for printing, please visit our Etsy Shop listing for Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Tutorial and Pattern #ad. For a small fee, you can purchase a PDF downloadable version of this tutorial.




QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about this project, contact us through the YouTube Video comments or our Contact Us page. We respond to questions in e-mails and YouTube comments regularly.

free plastic canvas patterns

Round Plastic Canvas Coaster Pattern #1Plastic Canvas Coaster Pattern

Patriotic Flag CoasterPatriotic Flag Coaster

Supporting Products and links: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. We make a small commission on sales through the affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for your purchase and your support! Please see our full Affiliate Statement for more information.

Fiskars 4 Inch Forged Embroidery Scissors

Fiskars 4 Inch Forged Embroidery Scissors #ad

Ideal for snipping embroidery threads, clipping delicate cross stitch and trimming intricate quilts. Affiliate Link to Amazon.com

Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Scissors

Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Scissors #ad

This 4" pair of scissors is the perfect scissors for applique, cutting fabric in tight spaces and other handwork. And ideal for travel. Annette's favorite small portable scissor. Affiliate Link to Amazon

Plastic Canvas and Yarn Needles

Plastic Canvas and Yarn Needles #ad

5 pcs - Includes (2) size 16 and (3) size 18 needles. Made of 100% steel for durability and longevity. Designed with a blunt tip, these needles are perfect for plastic canvas crafts. Affiliate Link to Amazon

Plastic Canvas Sheet 7-mesh

Plastic Canvas Sheet 7-mesh #ad

This clear canvas is 10.4" x 13.5" and 7-mesh. Affiliate Link to Michaels

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Printable Pattern PDF

Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Printable Pattern PDF PDF

Download and print the scotch stitch mug rug pattern. Needlepointers.com

Tapestry Needle - Blunt Yarn Sewing Needles

Tapestry Needle - Blunt Yarn Sewing Needles #ad

The large eye blunt needles are good for weaving in ends and sewing up seams on your knit and crochet projects.
Easy to handle: extra long eye, blunt tip thick shaft.
Also can be used for needlepoint, cross stitch and decorative stitching.
Package of 9 pieces.
Affiliate Link to Amazon

Yarn - Worsted Weight (#4)

Yarn - Worsted Weight (#4)

Shop for yarn on this page.






Scotch Stitch Mug Rug Tutorial & Free Pattern - pin


Profile Photo

Annette & Chris are a mother/daughter team. We've brought you craft projects and tutorials through this web site for over 20 years.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Needlework Shopping

Needlework

DMC

Profile Photo

Annette & Chris are a mother/daughter team. We've brought you craft projects and tutorials through this web site for over 20 years.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sertify Women Owned Business Sertify Small Business

Looking for something you cannot find on our site? Click here to Contact Us.

Copyright ©2003 - 2024 Needlepointers.com. All Rights Reserved. | Powered by w3.css

Secured by RapidSSL