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Race Track Mat Pattern

Race Track Mat Pattern
4.6★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.1K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

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Cozy Accent

A warm touch for your space that transforms ordinary corners into inviting nooks filled with handmade charm.

About This Race Track Mat Pattern

This pattern creates an oval race track mat with a raised inner lane and colorful border details inspired by carpet race tracks. Youll work in joined rounds using double crochet increases at the oval ends to shape the piece. The pattern includes step-by-step round instructions and color-change notes to create the red/white alternating border and dashed center lane.

Race Track Mat Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Finished sample measures approximately 56cm x 35cm (22" x 14") using worsted weight yarn and the listed hook sizes. A larger version is possible by switching to bulkier yarn and larger hooks.

Why You'll Love This Race Track Mat Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it transforms simple yarn into a playful, functional mat kids will adore. The shaping technique for the oval is clever yet approachable, so I enjoy watching the piece take shape round by round. The color-change rounds let me add fun racing details—alternating red and white felt like a small creative challenge that really livens up the edge. I also love how customizable the pattern is; changing yarn weight, colors, or scale gives such different, rewarding results.

Race Track Mat Pattern step 1 - construction progress Race Track Mat Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Race Track Mat Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Race Track Mat Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love customizing this mat by changing the colour palette—try soft pastels for a nursery-friendly version or bright primaries for a bold kid-friendly track.

I often change yarn weight and hook size to make larger or smaller mats; bulky yarn with a 5 mm hook produces a chunkier, quicker-to-make version.

I sometimes add a non-slip fabric backing or sewn-on felt to the underside for extra durability and to prevent sliding on hard floors.

I like adding tiny crocheted accessories like cones or flags to make a play set—theyre quick to make and add extra play value.

I also experiment with the dashed lane: you can embroider a solid centre line or make shorter dashes by changing how frequently you weave the white yarn through the track.

To create a different edge look, substitute the final single crochet round with a crab stitch or reverse single crochet for a firm, decorative border.

I recommend testing colour changes on a small swatch first to ensure the alternating red and white sequence lines up evenly around your circumference.

If youd like a reversible look, work the lane dashes using duplicate stitch instead of sewing through to the back so the pattern reads similarly on both sides.

I sometimes add a thin foam or felt insert under the mat center to give a more stable, cushioned play surface for rolling cars.

Dont be afraid to mix yarn textures—pairing a smooth acrylic for the track with a slightly fuzzy wool for the outer edge can create a pleasing tactile contrast.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Missing a stitch in the starting chain can leave you short for later alternating colour rounds; recount your chain before joining and mark the first stitch with a marker to ensure correct stitch counts. ✗ Not placing stitch markers at the increases makes it hard to see where to add increases in subsequent rounds; place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each increase to track increase points. ✗ Carrying the unused colour too tightly when doing alternating colours can pucker the edge; carry the unused yarn loosely at the base of the stitches and check tension frequently. ✗ Forgetting to change yarn on the last yarn over will leave an awkward join colour; always switch colour on the last yo of the previous round as instructed to get a clean colour change.

Race Track Mat Pattern

Create a playful race track mat perfect for playtime, a nursery, or a display mat for toy cars. This pattern guides you through shaping an oval mat with color-change details and a dashed center lane so your little racers can hit the track. Youll work in joined rounds with double crochet shaping and simple colorwork—fun, practical, and full of charm.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Race Track Mat Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Worsted/Medium weight yarn in Green (main inner/outer), Black (main track), White (border and lane dashes), Red (alternating edge colour)
  • 02
    For larger mat: Bulky weight yarn (5) if scaling up

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 3.5 mm (for main work - sample)
  • 02
    Crochet hook size 4 mm (for final rounds and edging - sample)
  • 03
    Optional: 5 mm and 5.5 mm or 6 mm hooks for a larger bulky yarn version
  • 04
    Stitch markers
  • 05
    Darning needle / yarn needle for weaving in ends
  • 06
    Scissors
  • 07
    Approximately 3 feet of white yarn for lane dividing dash
  • 08
    Pins (optional) to position parts while finishing

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Mat :

Start :

Starting with GREEN yarn, Chain 43.

Round 1 :

dc in second chain from hook, dc in each stitch along the chain until the last chain.

Round 1 cont :

In the last chain place 4 dc,

Round 1 cont :

then place a dc in each stitch along the other side of the chain,

Round 1 cont :

on the end turning chain (shown below) place 4 dc,

Round 1 end :

join with a slip stitch to the first dc

Round 2 :

Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain and in each stitch until you reach the 4 end dc. Place 2 dc in each of the four end stitches., dc in each stitch until you reach the other end with 4 dc, place 2 dc in each of the four end stitches, slip stitch to the first dc of the round.

Info :

When adding additional rounds, increases will be added at each end of the oval (dcINC = 2 dc in the same stitch to make an increase) The same pattern repeats along the sides, but the bolded sections increase on the ends. ***Placing a stitch marker in the first stitch of each increase helps in seeing where the next round of increases will be.

Round 3 :

Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain. dc in each stitch across straight stretch, (dcINC, dc) x4, dc in each stitch across, (dcINC, dc) x4, ***on the last yo, of the last dc of the round, change your yarn to YELLOW*** (see photos below), sl st to the first dc of the round

From Round 4 Note :

From Round 4 onwards, 5 increases are added to each end of the oval to ensure the mat lags flat.

Round 4 :

Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain. dc in each stitch across straight stretch, (dcINC, 2dc) x4, dcINC, dc across straight stretch, (dcINC, 2dc) x4, dcINC, dc in each st until end of round, ***on the last yo, of the last dc of the round, change your yarn to WHITE***, sl st to the first dc of the round

Round 5 :

Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain. dc in each stitch across straight stretch, (dcINC, 3dc) x4, dcINC, dc across straight stretch, (dcINC, 3dc) x4, dcINC, dc in each st until end of round, ***on the last yo, of the last dc of the round, change your yarn to BLACK*** sl st to the first dc of the round

Round 6 :

Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain. dc in each stitch across straight stretch, (dcINC, 4dc) x4, dcINC, dc across straight stretch, (dcINC, 4dc) x4, dcINC, dc in each st until end of round, sl st to the first dc of the round

Round 7 :

Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain. dc in each stitch across straight stretch, (dcINC, 5dc) x4, dcINC, dc across straight stretch, (dcINC, 5dc) x4, dcINC, dc in each st until end of round, sl st to the first dc of the round

Round 8 :

Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain. dc in each stitch across straight stretch, (dcINC, 6dc) x4, dcINC, dc across straight stretch, (dcINC, 6dc) x4, dcINC, dc in each st until end of round, sl st to the first dc of the round

Round 9 :

Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain and in each stitch across straight stretch, (dcINC, 7dc) x4, dcINC, dc across straight stretch, (dcINC, 7dc) x4, dcINC, dc in each st until end of round, sl st to the first dc of the round

Round 10 :

Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain and in each stitch across straight stretch, (dcINC, 8dc) x4, dcINC, dc across straight stretch, (dcINC, 8dc) x4, dcINC, dc in each st until end of round, sl st to the first dc of the round

Round 11 :

Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain and in each stitch across straight stretch, (dcINC, 9dc) x4, dcINC, dc across straight stretch, (dcINC, 9dc) x4, dcINC, dc in each st until end of round, sl st to the first dc of the round

Round 12 :

Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain and in each stitch across straight stretch, (dcINC, 10dc) x4, dcINC, dc across straight stretch, (dcINC, 10dc) x4, dcINC, dc in each st until end of round, sl st to the first dc of the round

Round 13 :

Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain and in each stitch across straight stretch, (dcINC, 11dc) x4, dcINC, dc across straight stretch, (dcINC, 11dc) x4, dcINC, dc in each st until end of round, ***on the last yo, of the last dc of the round, change your yarn to RED or WHITE***, sl st to the first dc of the round

Info :

Photos show the green inner section and the change to black and then the white/yellow inner lanes. Check stitch counts to ensure the alternating red and white round will fit evenly.

Round 14 :

Use alternating red and white yarn every four stitches, carrying the unused colour along the round at the base of the stitches. Same as all the other colour changes, you’ll want to bring in the new colour on the last yo of the last dc of the sequence. Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain and in each stitch across straight stretch, (dcINC, 12dc) x4, dcINC, dc across straight stretch, (dcINC, 12dc) x4, dcINC, dc in each st until end of round, ***on the last yo, of the last dc of the round, change your yarn to YELLOW***, sl st to the first dc of the round

Info :

***In sample shown above a stitch was missed in the beginning chain, leaving me two stitches short for the alternating colour round. Double checking stitch counts and using stitch markers will avoid this issue ;)

Round 15 :

Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain and in each stitch across straight stretch, (dcINC, 13dc) x4, dcINC, dc across straight stretch, (dcINC, 13dc) x4, dcINC, dc in each st until end of round, ***on the last yo, of the last dc of the round, change your yarn to GREEN*** sl st to the first dc of the round

Round 16 :

Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain and in each stitch across straight stretch, (dcINC, 14dc) x4, dcINC, dc across straight stretch, (dcINC, 14dc) x4, dcINC, dc in each st until end of round, sl st to the first dc of the round

Round 17 :

Chain 2, dc in the same stitch as the chain and in each stitch across straight stretch, (dcINC, 15dc) x4, dcINC, dc across straight stretch, (dcINC, 15dc) x4, dcINC, dc in each st until end of round, sl st to the first dc of the round

Round 18 :

with a 4mm hook, Chain 1, sc in each st, slip stitch to the first stitch in the round.

Finish :

Using a darning needle weave in all ends.

Lane Dash :

Using a darning needle and approx. 3 feet of white yarn, create the lane dividing dash using the line between the four and fifth rounds of black as a guide. Dashes on the sample shown are woven through the space every two stitches from the front to the back, repeating this process until you meet the start and tie off. Weave in ends.

Final Notes :

For a larger version, switch the yarn to a bulky weight(5) and use a 5mm hook for the main mat and 5.5mm or 6mm for the final edge single crochet round. Completed mat measures approx. 56cm x 35cm (22"x14").

Assembly Instructions

  • Weave in all ends securely using a darning needle and trim excess yarn so the edge lays flat.
  • Create the dashed centre lane by threading approx. 3 feet of white yarn through the darning needle and weaving between rounds four and five of the black track, pulling through every two stitches from front to back until you return to your starting point and tie off.
  • When changing colours (white/yellow/red/green), bring the new colour in on the last yarn-over of the previous round to ensure a clean join and carry the unused colour loosely along the base of the stitches.
  • If scaling up, make the main mat in bulky yarn with a 5 mm hook and use a larger edge hook of 5.5 mm or 6 mm for the final single crochet round to keep proportions consistent.

Important Notes

  • 💡Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each end increase to make it easy to spot where to increase in the next round.
  • 💡Bring new colours in on the last yarn-over (yo) of the previous round for clean colour joins and consistent edges.
  • 💡Carry unused colours loosely at the base of the stitches during alternating colour rounds to avoid puckering or overly tight stitches.
  • 💡Double-check your starting chain stitch count before joining the first round to ensure the alternating colour round fits evenly.

This race track mat pattern turns yarn into playful track time for kids and collectors alike. Customize colours and size for a unique play surface or home accent. Try bulky yarn or larger hooks for a grander mat or keep it compact for travel toy fun. 🧶🏁

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The completed mat measures approximately 56cm x 35cm (22" x 14") when made in worsted weight yarn with the recommended hook sizes.

Can I make the mat larger?

Yes, make a larger version by switching to bulky weight yarn (5) and using a 5 mm hook for the main mat and a 5.5 mm or 6 mm hook for the final single crochet edge.

Do I need to know how to change colours for this pattern?

Basic colour changes are required; youll change colours on the last yarn-over of the previous round and carry unused colours at the base of the stitches for the alternating edge.

How long does this project typically take?

Most crocheters complete this project in 5-7 hours, though actual time will vary based on your speed and whether you add extra detailing.