Mission Control Crochet Bath Mat Free Pattern
Introduction
The Mission Control Bath Mat is a beginner-friendly crochet project that brings a little retro space-age style to your bathroom floor. Worked in simple single crochet, it's a flat rectangle in bold horizontal stripes of terracotta and mustard, finished with a tidy terracotta border. It's perfect for anyone who has mastered the basic stitches and wants a practical, quick-to-finish project that looks modern and feels soft underfoot. Backed with a purchased nonslip mat, it stays put and stands up to daily use.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn — approximately 400 yards terracotta (A) and 200 yards mustard (B).
- Hook: 5.5 mm (I-9) crochet hook.
- Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, measuring tape, purchased nonslip rug backing cut to 24 x 32 inches, and fabric glue.
- Finished size: 24 inches wide x 32 inches long.
Abbreviations
- ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
- sc — single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- sl st — slip stitch: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
- st(s) — stitch(es).
Gauge
14 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in single crochet. Work a small swatch and measure a 4-inch section to confirm your stitch count matches before beginning.
Tips Before You Start
- Cotton yarn gives the mat weight and durability; keep your tension relaxed so the fabric stays flat and lies nicely on the floor.
- Change colors at the end of the last stitch of a row, leaving a short tail to weave in later.
- Count your stitches at the end of each stripe — every row should stay at 84 sc so the mat keeps its rectangular shape.
- Work the border evenly around the sides, spacing stitches so the edge doesn't ripple or pull.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Main Body
Setup: With A, ch 85.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn (84 sc).
Rows 2-4: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 5-8: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to A.
Rows 9-12: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 13-16: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to A.
Rows 17-20: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 21-24: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to A.
Rows 25-28: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 29-32: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to A.
Rows 33-36: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 37-40: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to A.
Rows 41-44: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 45-48: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to A.
Rows 49-52: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 53-56: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to A.
Rows 57-60: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 61-64: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to A.
Rows 65-68: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 69-72: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to A.
Rows 73-76: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 77-80: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to A.
Rows 81-84: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 85-88: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to A.
Rows 89-92: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 93-96: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to A.
Rows 97-100: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 101-104: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to A.
Rows 105-108: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 109-112: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to A.
Rows 113-116: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 117-120: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to A.
Rows 121-124: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc).
Change to B.
Rows 125-128: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (84 sc). Do not fasten off.
Border
Border: Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire perimeter, working 3 sc in each corner, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side. Block the mat lightly to smooth the edges and even out the stripes, then let it dry completely. Cut the nonslip rug backing to 24 x 32 inches. Apply fabric glue to the back of the mat and press it onto the backing, smoothing from the center outward. Let it dry completely before using.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the stripe colors for any two shades that suit your bathroom palette.
- Make the stripes wider or narrower by working 6 or 2 rows per color, keeping each stripe equal.
- Add a second border round in mustard for a contrasting finish.
