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WRN's Race Track Mat Pattern

WRN's Race Track Mat Pattern
4.6★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.7K 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.

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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 WRN's Race Track Mat Pattern

This pattern creates a fun oval race track mat with a centre lane and decorative edge. It uses worsted/medium weight yarn with clear round-by-round instructions and colour change points. The mat lays flat thanks to incremental increases on each end and includes a stitched lane divider for realism.

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

Photos show colour changes and carried strands for neat edges. Finished size is approximately 56cm x 35cm (22" x 14").

Why You'll Love This WRN's Race Track Mat Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it turns simple stitches into a playful, finished piece kids will adore. I enjoy the rhythmic shaping that creates a smooth oval and the little details like the dashed lane which bring the mat to life. I also love how the colour-change rounds let me add personality without complicated techniques. It's rewarding to see it go from a starting chain to a finished play mat ready for toy cars.

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

Switch Things Up

I love how easy it is to customise this mat to suit different themes or colourways.

You can change the centre and edge colours to match nursery decor, team colours, or seasonal palettes for a fresh look.

I often experiment with yarn weight and hook size: using a bulky yarn and larger hook gives a squishier, larger play mat very quickly.

I sometimes make a mini version as a keyring or small play pad by using finer yarn and a smaller hook for tiny toy cars.

I add embroidered details or small crocheted signs at the sides to personalise the track with names or numbers.

I recommend trying different dash styles for the lane: longer dashes, closer spacing, or even a solid stitched line to change the visual effect.

I occasionally add a non-slip backing or felt to the underside for extra grip on smooth floors.

I like to experiment with carrying multiple colours differently—tucking strands inside or catching them every few stitches—to see which gives the cleanest edge.

I also try alternating colours in different sequences (e.g. two red, two white) to create a checker or striped border effect.

Finally, I enjoy making a set of smaller mats to create a racetrack play area or a larger combined track by stitching several ovals together for a custom play surface.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Missing a stitch in the starting chain causes the alternating colour round to not match up; recount your initial chain and use stitch markers to mark the start so the colour sequence aligns correctly. ✗ Not marking increases at the oval ends can lead to uneven shaping; place stitch markers in the first stitch of each increase so you can easily see where to add increases in subsequent rounds. ✗ Carrying the unused colour loosely will make the edge messy and snag-prone; carry the unused yarn close to the base of stitches and tension it evenly or catch it neatly every few stitches. ✗ Changing colours incorrectly leaves a visible jog at the join; always bring in the new colour on the last yarn over (last yo) of the last dc of the sequence so the colour change is neat.

WRN's Race Track Mat Pattern

Create a playful oval race track mat that's perfect for playtime, a nursery, or a display mat for toy cars. This pattern walks you through shaping an oval with neat colour changes and a stitched lane divider. With clear step-by-step rounds and photos, you can crochet a durable mat that lays flat and looks great.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for WRN's Race Track Mat Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Worsted/Medium weight yarn (category #4) in Green
  • 02
    Worsted/Medium weight yarn (category #4) in Black
  • 03
    Worsted/Medium weight yarn (category #4) in White
  • 04
    Worsted/Medium weight yarn (category #4) in Red
  • 05
    For a larger version switch to bulky weight (5) yarn

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 3.5 mm
  • 02
    Crochet hook size 4 mm
  • 03
    Stitch markers
  • 04
    Darning needle / yarn needle
  • 05
    Scissors
  • 06
    Approx. 3 feet (1 metre) white yarn for lane dashes

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Race Track Mat :

Info :

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. In the last chain place 4 dc, then place a dc in each stitch along the other side of the chain, on the end turning chain (shown below) place 4 dc, 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.

Infos :

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

Info :

From Round 4 onwards, 5 increases are added to each end of the oval to ensure the mat lays 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, ***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

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 a stitch was missed in the beginning chain leaving two stitches short for the alternating colour round; double check stitch counts and use stitch markers to 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.

Info :

Using a darning needle weave in all ends. Using a darning needle and approx. 3 feet of white yarn, create the lane dividing dash using the line between the fourth 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.

Assembly Instructions

  • Weave in all ends using a darning needle, making sure carried colour strands lie flat at the base of stitches.
  • Create the lane dividing dash by threading approx. 3 feet of white yarn onto a darning needle and weaving dashes through the space every two stitches from front to back along the line between the 4th and 5th black rounds, repeat until you meet the start and tie off.
  • When working the alternating red and white round, carry the unused colour at the base of the stitches and bring the new colour in on the last yo of the last dc of the sequence to keep joins neat.
  • For a larger mat, switch to bulky weight (5) yarn and use a 5 mm hook for the main mat and 5.5 mm or 6 mm for the final edge single crochet round.

Important Notes

  • 💡Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each increase to help see where the next round of increases will be.
  • 💡Double check your initial chain count because a missed chain stitch will throw off alternating colour sequences later.
  • 💡Carry the unused colour along the base of the stitches on the alternating round to keep edges neat and avoid excessive ends.

This race track mat is a playful handmade accent that's perfect for kids or collectors. It combines simple shaping with fun colourwork to create a neat oval track with a dashed lane and decorative edge. Whether for playtime or display, it makes a charming, durable piece to treasure. 🧶🚗

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The completed mat measures approximately 56 cm x 35 cm (22" x 14") using worsted weight yarn and the recommended hooks.

Can I make the mat larger or smaller?

Yes — use a bulkier yarn (weight 5) with a 5 mm hook for the main mat and 5.5 mm or 6 mm for the final edge to make a larger mat, or use a lighter yarn and smaller hooks for a smaller mat; this will change finished dimensions.

Do I need to know advanced stitches to complete this pattern?

No — basic crochet skills like chain, double crochet, increases (2 dc in same stitch), slip stitch, and single crochet are required; the pattern is rated intermediate due to colour changes and shaping.

How do I create the dashed lane down the centre?

Use a darning needle and about 3 feet of white yarn and weave dashes through the space between the 4th and 5th rounds of black, going front to back every two stitches until you meet the starting point, then tie off and weave in ends.