There’s nothing cuter than a handmade crochet piece that is both functional and irresistibly adorable. The Animal Hug Cup is a creative crochet coaster, cup holder, or small storage basket designed to look like a sweet little animal hugging your mug. With three variations the Orange Hug Bear, Watermelon Hug Pig, and Kiwi Hug Cat  this pattern allows you to create an entire fruit-themed collection!

This project is worked in continuous rounds and shaped carefully to create a shallow, padded holder approximately 15 cm in diameter. The addition of fiberfill gives the piece structure, while the small appliqué details bring personality to each animal.

Whether you’re making it as a gift, for craft fairs, or for your own kitchen décor, this playful design is sure to bring smiles.

The Animal Hug Cup Free Crochet Pattern

📌 MATERIALS

• 3.0 mm crochet hook

• Yarn in appropriate colors (see each animal section)

Finished Size:
Main body diameter is approximately 15 cm.

✨ ABBREVIATIONS (US Terms)

• ch – chain

• sl – slip stitch

• sc – single crochet

• dc – double crochet

• hdc – half double crochet

• inc – increase (2 sc in same stitch)

• dec – decrease (sc 2 together)

• BLO – back loop only

• FLO – front loop only

• × 6 – repeat instructions 6 times

• ( ) – stitch count at end of round

🍊 ORANGE HUG BEAR

Main Body (Begin with Khaki)

R1: 7 sc in magic ring. (7)
R2: 7 inc. (14)
R3: [1 sc, 1 inc] ×7. (21)
R4: [1 sc, 1 inc, 1 sc] ×7. (28)
R5: [3 sc, inc] ×7. (35)
R6: [2 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc] ×7. (42)
R7: [3 sc, 1 inc, 3 sc] ×6. (48)
R8: [7 sc, 1 inc] ×6. (54)
R9: [4 sc, 1 inc, 4 sc] ×6. (60)
R10: [9 sc, 1 inc] ×6. (66)
R11: [5 sc, 1 inc, 5 sc] ×6. (72)
R12: [11 sc, 1 inc] ×6. (78)
R13: 28 sc, 22 hdc, 28 sc.
R14: [6 sc, 1 inc, 6 sc] ×6. (84)
R15: [13 sc, 1 inc] ×6. (90)
R16: [7 sc, 1 inc, 7 sc] ×6. (96)
R17–R21: 96 sc.
R22: [7 sc, 1 dec, 7 sc] ×6. (90)
R23: [13 sc, 1 dec] ×6. (84)
R24: [6 sc, 1 dec, 6 sc] ×6. (78)
R25: 28 sc, 22 hdc, 28 sc.
R26: [11 sc, 1 dec] ×6. (72)
R27: [5 sc, 1 dec, 5 sc] ×6. (66)

Lightly stuff with fiberfill before fully closing.

Ears (Make 2 – Khaki)

R1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6)
R2: 6 inc. (12)
R3: [1 sc, 1 inc] ×6. (18)
R4: [2 sc, 1 inc] ×6. (24)
R5–R7: 24 sc.
R8: [2 sc, 1 dec] ×6. (18)

Sew to top of body.

Legs (Make 4 – Khaki)

R1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6)
R2: 6 inc. (12)
R3–R5: 12 sc.

Sew evenly around lower body.

Nose (Khaki)

R1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6)
R2: [2 inc, 1 sc] ×2. (10)
R3: [1 sc, 1 inc] ×2, 1 sc, [1 sc, 1 inc] ×2, 1 sc. (14)

Attach between eyes and embroider a small “T”.

Leaves (Light Green)

1. Ch 7. Work back into 2nd chain from hook:
   1 sl, 1 sc, 2 hdc, 1 sc, 1 sl (work with thin wire).

2. Ch 1, turn.
   1 sl, 1 sc, 2 hdc, 1 sc, 1 sl. Fasten off.

Make 2 leaves and secure to ear using wire.

Orange Slice Center

R1: 7 sc in magic ring (white). (7)
R2: Change to orange, BLO 7 inc. (14)
R3: [1 sc, 1 inc] ×7. (21)
R4: [1 sc, 1 inc, 1 sc] ×7. (28)
R5: [3 sc, 1 inc] ×7. (35)
R6: [2 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc] ×7. (42)
R7: [5 sc, 1 inc] ×7. (49)
R8: Change to white: [7 sc, 5-dc tr] ×7. (56)
R9: Change to orange: [3 sc, 1 inc, 4 sc] ×7. (63)

5-dc tr: Yarn over 5 times, insert into R2, pull up loop, pull through 2 loops six times.

Attach securely to center.

✨ The Orange Hug Bear is complete!

🍉 WATERMELON HUG PIG

Body and legs are worked the same as the Orange Bear.

Ears

R1: 6 sc in ring.
R2: 1 inc, 4 sc, 1 inc. (8)
R3: 2 inc, 4 sc, 2 inc. (12)
R4: [1 sc, 1 inc] ×2, 4 sc, [1 sc, 1 inc] ×2. (16)
R5: [2 sc, 1 inc] ×2, 4 sc, [2 sc, 1 inc] ×2. (20)
R6: [3 sc, 1 inc] ×2, 4 sc, [3 sc, 1 inc] ×2. (24)
R7: 24 sc.

Tail

R1–R16: 6 sc (work around wire).

Nose

Ch 5, return: 1 hdc inc, 1 hdc, 5 hdc in one stitch, 2 hdc, 1 sl.

Add black seeds to watermelon center.

✨ The Watermelon Hug Pig is ready!

🥝 KIWI HUG CAT

Body and legs are the same as Bear.

Ears

R1: 4 sc in ring.
R2: 4 inc. (8)
R3: [1 sc, 1 inc] ×4. (12)
R4: [1 sc, 1 inc, 1 sc] ×4. (16)
R5: 16 sc.
R6: [3 sc, 1 inc] ×4. (20)
R7: 20 sc.
R8: [2 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc] ×4. (24)

Tail

R1: 6 sc in ring.
R2: 6 inc. (12)
R3: [3 sc, 1 inc] ×3. (15)
R4–R5: 15 sc.
R6: [3 sc, 1 dec] ×3. (12)
R7–R13: 12 sc.

Sew pieces in place. Embroider “T” nose and whiskers.

✨ The Kiwi Hug Cat is complete!

This playful fruit-animal collection makes a wonderful gift, nursery décor item, or craft fair bestseller. You can customize colors, add blush cheeks, or even create new fruit-animal combinations!

If you enjoyed this pattern, don’t forget to share your creations and tag your project photos.

Happy crocheting! 🧶✨