Free Go Away Doormat Crochet Pattern
A Bold, Beginner-Friendly Project from Divine Debris
If you’ve ever wanted to greet your guests with a little bit of sass, this free Go Away doormat crochet pattern from Divine Debris is exactly what your front porch has been waiting for. Whether you’re a crochet newbie looking for a satisfying first home décor project or a seasoned maker who just loves a good dose of personality in their work, this pattern delivers on both style and function. It’s chunky, it’s durable, it’s endlessly charming, and best of all — it’s completely free.
In this post, we’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about making your own Go Away doormat: the materials you’ll need, tips for working with chunky yarn, how to customize the lettering, care instructions once your mat is finished, and why this project has become one of the most beloved free crochet patterns in the home décor community. Let’s dive in.
What Is the Go Away Doormat Crochet Pattern?
The Go Away doormat is a fun, functional crochet pattern designed to look just like those classic doormats you see in boutique shops — except you get to make it yourself for a fraction of the price. The pattern features bold, chunky lettering worked in a simple tapestry or overlay crochet technique, giving the finished mat a satisfying raised texture that holds up beautifully to foot traffic.
The pattern was created by Divine Debris, a crochet designer known for combining modern aesthetics with genuinely accessible instructions. If you’ve spent any time in the crochet community, you’ve likely come across a Divine Debris pattern before — the designs tend to be witty, stylish, and explained in a way that doesn’t leave you scratching your head. The Go Away doormat is a perfect example of that philosophy. It’s a statement piece, but it doesn’t require you to be an advanced crocheter to pull it off.
Why You’ll Love This Pattern
There are a lot of reasons this pattern has earned such a loyal following, and it goes well beyond the fact that it’s free.
First, there’s the humor factor. Doormats that say “Go Away” occupy a very specific and delightful space in the world of home décor — they’re just ironic enough to make people smile the moment they approach your door. It says something about your sense of humor and your taste at the same time.
Second, it’s a genuinely satisfying project from start to finish. Because you’re working with thick yarn and a large hook, you see progress quickly. This is the kind of project you can start in the morning and finish by evening, which is incredibly motivating for crafters who sometimes struggle to complete longer projects.
Third, the finished product is actually useful. Unlike some decorative crochet items that are more display pieces than practical objects, a doormat gets used every single day. Every time you or a visitor wipes their feet, you get a little reminder that you made something with your own hands — something functional and beautiful.
And fourth, this pattern is a fantastic gateway into tapestry crochet techniques. If you’ve been curious about colorwork but haven’t taken the plunge, this project gives you a manageable, approachable introduction without committing to something like a full colorwork blanket or sweater.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you cast on (or, in crochet terms, before you make your foundation chain), let’s talk about what you’ll need to gather.
Yarn: The Go Away doormat pattern calls for a chunky or super bulky weight yarn. Cotton or cotton-blend yarn is strongly recommended for this project because it’s durable, it can handle outdoor conditions reasonably well, and it holds its shape beautifully when worked at a dense gauge. Jute yarn is another popular choice for doormat projects because of its natural texture and excellent durability. Avoid soft, fluffy yarns like chenille or anything with a lot of stretch — they won’t hold up to foot traffic the way you need them to.
For the main color (the background of the mat), you’ll typically want something neutral: a natural off-white, a classic tan, or even a deep charcoal. The contrast color for the lettering should be as high-contrast as possible so your “GO AWAY” message really pops. Black lettering on a natural background is a classic combination, but black on white, navy on cream, or even a bold red on black can all look stunning.
Hook: You’ll need a large crochet hook to match your yarn weight. For most super bulky yarns, you’ll be working with a 9mm or 10mm hook. Check the yarn label for guidance, but when in doubt, go slightly smaller than recommended for a tighter, denser fabric that will hold up better underfoot.
Other supplies: A tapestry needle for weaving in your ends, scissors, and a non-slip rug pad to place underneath the finished mat. The rug pad is optional but highly recommended — it keeps the mat in place and prevents any slipping hazard on hard floors.
Yarn quantity: The amount you need will depend on the finished size of your mat, but generally plan for approximately 200–300 yards of each color. It’s always better to buy a little extra than to run out mid-project.
Stitches and Skills You’ll Need
This pattern is labeled as beginner to intermediate, and that’s a pretty fair description. Here’s what you’ll need to be comfortable with before you start.
You should have a solid grasp of the basic single crochet stitch. The majority of this pattern is worked in single crochet, so if you can do that consistently, you’re already most of the way there. You should also be familiar with working in rows, turning your work, and maintaining an even tension.
The tapestry crochet element is the only technique that might be new to beginners. Tapestry crochet (sometimes called colorwork crochet) involves carrying the unused color along as you work, crocheting over it so it’s hidden inside the stitches. When you need to switch colors for the lettering, you pick up the contrast color and drop the background color, which then gets carried along until you need it again. It sounds more complicated than it is — with a little practice, it becomes second nature, and this pattern is a wonderful place to learn it because the shapes are simple and the rows are short enough to feel manageable.
If you’ve never done tapestry crochet before, it’s worth spending 15 or 20 minutes practicing with scrap yarn before you begin the actual pattern. Work a few rows of switching back and forth between two colors, get comfortable with how the carried yarn feels, and you’ll find the real project goes much more smoothly.
Reading the Chart
The Go Away doormat pattern includes a chart that maps out exactly where each color goes to form the letters. If you’re not used to reading crochet charts, this might feel intimidating at first — but doormat charts are actually one of the easiest formats to read because they’re essentially just a grid.
Each square on the chart represents one stitch. A filled-in square means you work that stitch in the contrast color (the letter color), and an empty square means you work it in the background color. You read the chart from right to left on the first row, left to right on the second row, and so on — just like how you’re physically turning the work back and forth.
A helpful tip: print the chart out if you can and use a sticky note or a ruler to track which row you’re on. It’s surprisingly easy to lose your place, especially on the middle rows where the letters are densest. Marking your progress as you go saves a lot of frustration.
Step-by-Step Overview of the Pattern
While the full, detailed pattern with exact stitch counts and row-by-row instructions is available for free on the Divine Debris website, here’s a general overview of how the project flows so you know what to expect.
You’ll begin by making your foundation chain. The length of this chain determines the width of your mat. For a standard doormat size, you’re looking at something roughly 18 to 24 inches wide. Once you have your foundation chain, you’ll work several rows of plain single crochet in your background color to create a border at the bottom of the mat.
Then you’ll transition into the lettered section using the colorwork chart. This is the heart of the project. Row by row, following your chart, you’ll build up the “GO AWAY” lettering in your contrast color. The letters are worked in a blocky, pixel-style font that reads clearly and looks bold once finished.
After the lettered section is complete, you’ll add a few more rows of solid background color to create a matching border at the top. This framing detail really makes the design look polished and intentional rather than like the letters are floating at the edge.
Finally, you’ll fasten off, weave in all your ends securely (this step is particularly important for a mat that will be used heavily), and add a border stitch around the entire perimeter if you’d like a finished edge. A round of slip stitch or single crochet around the outside pulls everything together beautifully and gives the mat a neat, professional look.
Tips for the Best Possible Results
A few small adjustments can make a big difference in the finished quality of your mat.
Work tightly. Doormat fabric needs to be dense enough to hold up to foot traffic and to lay flat on the floor. If your tension tends to run loose, drop down a hook size from what the yarn label suggests. A denser fabric will also make the lettering look crisper and more defined.
Keep your carried yarn tension consistent. When you’re carrying the unused color across the back of the work, it’s easy to either pull it too tight (which causes the fabric to pucker) or leave it too loose (which causes loops to show on the back). Aim for carried floats that are relaxed but not sloppy.
Block your finished mat. Even with cotton yarn, a light wet blocking can help the mat lay perfectly flat and even out any tension inconsistencies in the fabric. Lay it out on a flat surface, pat it into shape, and let it dry completely before putting it down in front of your door.
Reinforce your ends. Because a doormat gets walked on repeatedly, those woven-in ends need to be extra secure. Weave each end in at least two directions through the stitches, and consider adding a dab of fabric glue on the wrong side of the mat if you want extra insurance.
Customization Ideas
One of the best things about making your own doormat is that you can personalize it in ways you simply can’t with store-bought versions.
Swap out the colors entirely to match your home’s exterior palette. If your front door is a deep hunter green, a natural jute background with dark green lettering would look stunning. If you have a bold red door, a cream background with red lettering would be eye-catching and cohesive.
Consider changing the phrase. The technique used in this pattern can be adapted to spell out almost any word or short phrase. “Hello” and “Welcome” are classic choices if you want something a little more traditional. “Wipe Your Paws” is popular with pet owners. “Namaste” has a lovely ring to it for a yoga-inspired home. If you’re comfortable modifying a chart slightly, the font used in the Go Away pattern can be adapted to nearly any combination of letters.
You can also play with size. If you want a larger mat for a double-door entry, simply extend your foundation chain and adjust the chart accordingly. For a smaller accent mat — perhaps inside a mudroom or in front of a bathroom door — scale everything down and the same technique applies perfectly.
Caring for Your Crochet Doormat
A handmade doormat deserves a little love to keep it looking its best.
If you used cotton yarn, the mat can generally be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cold water and laid flat to dry. Never put it in the dryer, as heat can cause the fibers to shrink or warp. If you used jute, spot cleaning is usually the better approach, as jute doesn’t love being fully submerged in water.
Shake the mat out regularly to remove debris, and if it starts to look flattened with heavy use, a light steam with an iron held a few inches above the surface (don’t actually press the iron onto the mat) can help revive the texture.
Bringing the mat inside during very heavy rain or snow will extend its life significantly. While cotton is reasonably moisture-resistant, prolonged saturation isn’t great for any textile. If outdoor durability is a top priority, you might also look into yarn specifically marketed for outdoor projects — there are excellent options available that resist moisture and UV fading.
Where to Find the Free Pattern
The full, free Go Away doormat crochet pattern is available on the Divine Debris website. Divine Debris publishes patterns across a range of styles and skill levels, and browsing the site is well worth your time if you’re looking for your next project. The patterns are written with clear, thoughtful instructions, and the photography accompanying each design is genuinely inspirational.
If you’d like to save the pattern for offline use, most browsers allow you to print or save a webpage as a PDF. This is handy for taking your pattern along to a crochet group or following along without needing to keep your phone or laptop nearby.
A Few Final Thoughts
The Go Away doormat is more than a crochet project — it’s an expression of personality, a small act of craftsmanship, and a daily reminder that you’re capable of creating beautiful, useful things from scratch. It greets everyone who comes to your door (or warns them away, depending on how you look at it) with something handmade and entirely one of a kind.
Whether you’re making it for yourself, as a housewarming gift, or as part of a collection of handmade home décor, this pattern punches well above its weight in terms of impact. It works up quickly, it teaches useful skills, it photographs beautifully for anyone who shares their makes on social media, and it genuinely holds up to real-world use.
If you give the pattern a try, consider tagging Divine Debris when you share your finished mat. Designers thrive on seeing their patterns made — it helps them keep creating and sharing free content with the crochet community. And if you have questions as you work through the pattern, the comments section on the Divine Debris website is a great resource, as is any of the large crochet communities on platforms like Ravelry, Reddit, or Facebook groups dedicated to colorwork and home décor crochet.
Happy hooking, and may your front porch be forever adorned with exactly as much sass as you desire.
