Free Knitting Pattern: Toilet Contour Rug & Bath Mat — Purl Your Way to a Cozier Bathroom

There is something deeply satisfying about stepping out of a warm shower onto a handmade rug that you knitted yourself. It feels softer, it looks more personal, and every time a guest compliments it you get to say, with a small but well-earned grin, “Oh, I made that.” If you have been looking for a practical, beginner-friendly knitting project that actually gets used every single day, this free toilet contour rug and bath mat pattern is exactly what you need.

This pattern from Purls and Pixels gives you everything: a flat rectangular bath mat to place in front of your tub or shower, and a matching toilet contour rug — the horseshoe-shaped piece that wraps around the base of the toilet for a polished, coordinated look. Together they transform an ordinary bathroom into a space that feels curated and handcrafted. And because they are worked in thick yarn on large needles, even knitters who are still building their skills will find the process straightforward and enjoyable.

Let us walk through every detail you need to cast on with confidence.

Why Knit Your Own Bathroom Rugs?

Before we get into the pattern itself, it is worth spending a moment on why knitted bath rugs are such a smart project choice.

Customization. Store-bought bath rugs come in a limited palette, and the sizes rarely match your space perfectly. When you knit your own, you choose the color to match your towels, your tile, your shower curtain, or whatever aesthetic you are working with. You can go neutral and timeless, or bold and playful.

Durability. Chunky cotton knits hold up beautifully to heavy foot traffic and repeated washing. Unlike tufted rugs that shed or pill, a tightly knitted cotton rug tends to get softer and more characterful with each wash.

Cost. A high-quality, coordinated set of bathroom rugs can cost anywhere from forty to over a hundred dollars at a home goods store. A skein or two of chunky cotton yarn costs a fraction of that, and you end up with something far more unique.

Satisfaction. There is the intangible but very real reward of making something useful with your hands. Functional crafts like this are especially gratifying because the finished object does not sit on a shelf — it lives in your home and serves you every single day.

Materials You Will Need

Getting your materials together before you cast on makes the whole experience smoother. Here is everything you need for both pieces.

Yarn: You will want a chunky or bulky weight cotton yarn, rated as a size 5 or 6 on the yarn weight scale. Cotton is the ideal fiber for bathroom use because it is absorbent, machine washable, and does not harbor mildew the way synthetic blends sometimes can. A cotton-acrylic blend also works well and can add a little extra stretch and softness. Look for yarn labeled as “cotton macramé,” “t-shirt yarn,” or simply “chunky cotton.” You will need approximately 300 to 400 yards total for the bath mat, and about 150 to 200 yards for the contour rug, though this depends on your finished dimensions.

Needles: US size 10 (6mm) or US size 10.5 (6.5mm) straight or circular needles. Because this yarn is thick and the stitches are larger, circular needles can be more comfortable to hold for long stretches.

Notions: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, a measuring tape, and stitch markers if you want to track your progress.

Gauge: Approximately 12 stitches and 16 rows equals 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch with the recommended yarn and needles. Because this is a floor covering rather than a fitted garment, gauge is flexible — a slight variation will simply change the finished size of your rug rather than cause a fit issue. That said, knitting a quick gauge swatch before you begin is always a good habit, especially if you tend to knit tightly or loosely.

Stitch Glossary

This pattern uses basic techniques that are perfect for beginners and satisfying for experienced knitters who want a relaxing, meditative project.

Cast on (CO): The method used to place your initial stitches on the needle. For this pattern, the long-tail cast on is recommended because it creates a firm, neat edge that wears well underfoot.

Knit stitch (k): Insert the right needle tip into the front of the stitch from left to right, wrap the yarn, and draw the loop through. This is the foundational stitch of the entire project.

Purl stitch (p): Insert the right needle tip into the front of the stitch from right to left, wrap the yarn, and draw the loop through. Used in the contour rug shaping section.

Garter stitch: Knitting every row, both right side and wrong side. This creates a bumpy, ridged texture that is wonderful for a bath mat — it provides gentle grip and looks tidy from both sides.

Bind off (BO): The method used to remove your stitches from the needle and secure the finished edge.

Yarn over (yo): Wrapping the yarn around the right needle before working the next stitch. This creates a small hole and is used in the contour rug to begin shaping the curved cutout.

Knit two together (k2tog): Insert the right needle through two stitches at once and knit them as a single stitch. This decreases your stitch count by one and is used in shaping the contour.

Slip, slip, knit (ssk): Slip two stitches individually as if to knit, then insert the left needle through the fronts of both slipped stitches and knit them together. This is a left-leaning decrease used alongside k2tog for symmetrical shaping.

Pattern Part One: The Bath Mat

Finished Dimensions

The finished bath mat measures approximately 20 inches wide by 28 inches long. To make it larger, simply cast on more stitches in increments of 2 and knit additional rows until you reach your desired length.

Instructions

Cast on 60 stitches.

Row 1: Knit across all stitches.
Row 2: Knit across all stitches.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 in garter stitch until the piece measures approximately 28 inches from the cast-on edge, or your desired length.

Bind off all stitches loosely. A loose bind off is important for bath mats because a tight edge can cause the rug to curl or buckle under foot traffic.

Weave in all ends securely using your yarn needle. Because the rug will be washed frequently, give the ends an extra pass or two to make sure they are locked in place. Trim close but not flush — leave a small tail so the weaving does not work loose over time.

Optional Border

If you want to add a more finished, decorative edge to your bath mat, you can pick up stitches along the side edges and knit 3 to 4 rows of garter stitch before binding off. This creates a tidy frame around the mat and helps prevent any tendency for the edges to roll, though garter stitch naturally lies flat so this is truly optional rather than necessary.

Pattern Part Two: The Toilet Contour Rug

The contour rug is the piece that makes the set feel complete and truly custom. The horseshoe shape wraps neatly around the base of the toilet, and it is achieved through a combination of short-row shaping and a bound-off opening at the center front.

Finished Dimensions

The finished contour rug measures approximately 20 inches wide by 20 inches long, with a U-shaped cutout at the center front measuring approximately 6 inches wide and 8 inches deep. These proportions fit most standard toilet bases, but you can adjust the width of the cutout by casting off more or fewer stitches in the shaping section.

Instructions

Cast on 60 stitches.

Rows 1–10: Knit every row (garter stitch).

Begin the cutout shaping (Row 11):

Row 11 (Right Side): K27, bind off 6 stitches, knit to end. You now have two separate sections of 27 stitches each, joined at the back but open at the center front.

You will now work each side of the contour separately.

Right Side Section:

Turn and work only on the right 27 stitches.

Row 12: K2, p to last 2 stitches, k2.
Row 13: K to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1. (26 stitches)
Row 14: K2, p to last 2 stitches, k2.
Row 15: K to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1. (25 stitches)
Row 16: K2, p to last 2 stitches, k2.
Row 17: K to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1. (24 stitches)
Row 18: K2, p to last 2 stitches, k2.
Row 19: K to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1. (23 stitches)
Row 20: K2, p to last 2 stitches, k2.

Continue in this manner, working a k2tog decrease near the inner edge on every right-side row, until the cutout measures approximately 8 inches deep. You will have fewer stitches on this side as you go.

Work even in established pattern (no further decreases) until this side measures the same total length from cast on as the back section of the rug.

Leave stitches on a holder or spare needle.

Left Side Section:

Rejoin yarn at the inner edge of the left 27 stitches with the right side facing.

Row 12: K2, p to last 2 stitches, k2.
Row 13: K1, ssk, k to end. (26 stitches)
Row 14: K2, p to last 2 stitches, k2.
Row 15: K1, ssk, k to end. (25 stitches)

Continue mirroring the right side decreases using ssk instead of k2tog until the cutout is the same depth. Work even until this side matches the length of the right section.

Joining the two sides:

With right sides facing and both sections on needles, use a three-needle bind off or simply bind off each side separately and seam them together at the back center using a mattress stitch. The three-needle bind off creates the tidiest join with the least bulk underfoot.

Weave in all ends. Block the finished piece lightly by dampening it, shaping it flat, and allowing it to dry — this helps even out the tension from the shaping rows and gives the contour a clean, professional finish.

Finishing and Care

Once both pieces are complete, take a few minutes to block them. For cotton yarn, wet blocking works best: submerge the pieces in cool water, gently squeeze out the excess (do not wring), then roll them in a clean towel and press firmly to remove more moisture. Lay them flat in their finished shape and allow them to air dry completely before placing them in the bathroom.

For washing, machine wash on a gentle or delicate cycle in cool water. Tumble dry on low, or lay flat to dry for best results. Cotton rugs can handle regular washing without losing their shape, which is one of the great practical advantages of this fiber choice.

If you used a cotton-acrylic blend, follow the care instructions on the yarn label, as the presence of acrylic may change the recommended washing temperature or drying method.

Customization Ideas

One of the best things about making your own bathroom accessories is the creative latitude you have. Here are a few ways to make these patterns your own.

Stripes: Work the bath mat in alternating colors, switching yarns every two rows for a bold stripe pattern, or every ten rows for wide, relaxed stripes. Stripe patterns are great for using up partial skeins of yarn from other projects.

Color blocking: Knit one third of the mat in one color, the middle third in a contrasting color, and the final third in the first color again. This creates a clean, modern look that photographs beautifully.

Texture variation: For the bath mat only (not the contour rug, where the textural transitions could create uneven thickness underfoot), try alternating four rows of garter stitch with four rows of seed stitch. Seed stitch alternates knit and purl stitches within each row and between rows, creating a pebbly texture that looks beautiful and provides extra grip.

Monogram or initials: If you are comfortable with duplicate stitch embroidery, you can add a single initial to the bath mat after the knitting is complete. This makes the set an especially thoughtful and personal housewarming or wedding gift.

Size adjustments: Need a larger mat for a double vanity or a small mudroom? Simply cast on additional stitches in multiples of 2 and knit additional rows. Need a mini contour for a compact powder room? Reduce your cast on and adjust the cutout dimensions proportionally. The math is simple with garter stitch because every stitch and row can be scaled without disrupting a complicated pattern repeat.

Gift Ideas and Occasions

This bath mat and contour rug set makes a genuinely wonderful handmade gift. Handmade home goods are meaningful in a way that store-bought items rarely are, and because this set is both beautiful and practical, it will be appreciated and used rather than tucked into a closet.

Consider making a set for a new homeowner who is just setting up their first house. A young couple moving in together will cherish a handmade housewarming gift far longer than a candle or a bottle of wine. The set also makes a thoughtful bridal shower present, especially if you incorporate the couple’s wedding colors or the bride’s favorite palette.

Parents with newly knit-literate teenagers might even consider making this a first “real project” after scarves and dishcloths — the shaping on the contour rug introduces basic techniques like yarn overs and decreases in a low-stakes, forgiving context where slight imperfections disappear completely underfoot.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

The mat is curling at the edges. This usually means the bind off was too tight, or the yarn has a high amount of synthetic fiber content that resists blocking. Try re-blocking by wetting thoroughly and pinning the edges flat. For future projects, try a stretchy bind off such as the yarn-over bind off.

The contour cutout is gaping too wide. This can happen if you bound off too many stitches in the shaping row. In most cases, you can correct this with a single row of single crochet around the inside of the cutout, which not only tightens the opening slightly but also adds a neat, finished edge.

The two sides of the contour don’t match in length. Work back through your row count on each side. If you lost count, use the length measurement rather than the row count to even things up — knit the shorter side until it matches the longer one before joining.

The rug is too small. For next time, swatch more carefully and adjust your cast-on number up. Alternatively, you can join two panels side by side using a mattress stitch to create a wider rug.

A Few Final Thoughts

Knitting for your home is one of the most grounding, rewarding branches of the craft. Unlike a sweater that requires precise fitting or a lace shawl that demands intense concentration, a bathroom rug lets you sink into the rhythm of the needles and produce something tangible, useful, and genuinely lovely without the pressure of perfection.

The toilet contour rug and bath mat set from Purls and Pixels is the kind of pattern that earns a permanent place in your project rotation. Once you make one set for yourself, you will likely find yourself knitting them as gifts, experimenting with color combinations, and reaching for this pattern whenever you want a satisfying project that does not require you to overthink anything — just knit, breathe, and enjoy the process.

Cast on and see what your needles can do. Your bathroom will thank you.

If you make this pattern, we would love to see your finished set. Tag your photos on social media and share your color choices — every finished rug is a little different, and that is exactly the point.