​Race Track Crochet Mat

You’ll need:

2 skeins of Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in Lime color;

1 skein of the same yarn, but in Charcoal Grey color;

Less than a half skein of the same yarn, but in Silver Grey color;

Less than a half skein of the same yarn, but in Mustard color;

Crochet hook 5,5 mm;

Tapestry needle.

Note

The pattern is very simple! SC + chain 1, skip a stitch, SC + chain 1, repeat. But here is the catch… You need to make sure you start and end each row with a SC stitch. On the odd number rows, this happens naturally. You will see that you SC + chain 1, skip a stitch and then you are able to end with a SC in the last stitch. BUT in the even number rows (starting with row 2), you will notice you have one extra stitch left on the end and so you will end up with two single crochets next to each other.

Same goes for the beginning of the rows. The odd number rows you can begin as usual (SC + chain 1, skip a stitch, SC in next space)… but on the even number rows you need to make a SC in the first stitch and then begin your SC + chain, skip a stitch, SC in next space)

Instructions

With Lime yarn:

Chain 70, SC in second chain from hook, chain 1, skip a chain, SC in next, repeat down chain, chain 1 , turn

Row 2: SC in first, SC in chain space + chain 1, skip a stitch, SC + chain 1 in next chain space, repeat until end, SC in last, chain 1, turn

Row 3: SC + chain 1 in first, skip stitch, SC + chain 1 in next chain space, repeat, chain 1, turn

Row 4-14: repeat rows 2-3 (alternating).. remember it’s the same pattern, you just need to start and end with an “extra” SC on the even rows.

Change to charcoal grey yarn

Row 15-18: continue repeating pattern where you left off

Change to mustard yarn

Row 19: continue repeating pattern where you left off

change to charcoal gray yarn

Row 19-22: continue repeating pattern where you left off

Repeat entire pattern until you have 3 race tracks and 4 patches of green. Each block of green is 14 rows. Each race track has 4 rows of gray + one row of yellow + 4 rows of gray.
Of course you can make to the mat as long and wide as you’d like! When you are finished, fasten off and weave in ends before starting on border.

Border

Starting at any point on the blankets edge, attach light gray yarn and use the same pattern on the border as you did in the blanket: SC + chain 1, skip a stitch, SC all the way around. On the first round of the border make 2 SC + Chain 1 the corners. Make 3 rounds of the border before fastening off and weaving in ends.