There’s an old saying that there’s nothing new under the sun, and this Racetrack Play Rug isn’t any different! If you were to google “crochet racetrack rug,” you would see many options, but 10 years ago, there was only one.
Ten years ago, I wanted to make something special for my 4, almost 5-year-old, boy. Toy patterns were not nearly as accessible as they are now! He loved playing with cars, and I stumbled upon this Racetrack Rug by Cynthia Rae, but guess what. Her’s wasn’t the original either! Her blog tells the story of how she adapted a vintage pattern from a 1984 crochet magazine, to suit her needs.
It was her very pattern that helped to launch my crochet career, because when my friends on Facebook saw what I had made for my son, many wanted to place orders! For several years, custom orders for those rugs became my number 1 seller, and I began crocheting letters, to sew on names into the center of the rug.
When I had a few requests for something larger, I started using Lion Brand Hometown yarns, a chunky yarn, for a larger rug, but they often fuzzed a bit more, and they were more expensive. Not long after my second son began playing with cars, I had an idea for expanding the oval and including parking places for the cars. By this point, I had made some of my own adjustments to the pattern, and was including various color changes. But when it came time to actually consider publishing the pattern, I reached out to Cynthia via Etsy, to ask her how she felt about it. She was so kind, and told me she couldn’t wait to see it!
That was almost 3 years ago now! This pattern has been a struggle in more ways than one, but it is finally ready for you, thanks to some awesome pattern testers! I hope you enjoy it!
If you’re interested in a printer-friendly PDF of the Racetrack Play Rug Pattern, you can find the design in my Ravelry or Etsy shops! If you prefer to use the free blog copy below, I still appreciate you being here! And another great way to support my blog is simply by sharing! Thank you for supporting my business!
Materials:
2 skeins of Caron One Pound – Grass Green, approximately 970 yds
2 skeins of Caron One Pound – Black, approximately 945 yds
1 skein of Caron One Pound – White, approximately 203 yds (since the pattern doesn’t call for even a full skein, you can double strand it by splitting the skein in half, and rolling up part of the skein. I use a kitchen scale to measure it out to divide the skein. 1 oz of Caron One Pound = 50.75 yds)
Crochet hook, K-6.5mm
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Terms and abbreviations to know:
ch, chs – chain, chains
st, sts – stitch, stitches
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
inc – increase, work 2 sc into the same st
Notes:
This pattern is made by holding two strands of worsted weight yarn together. It would also be possible to make using bulky weight yarn; however, that would get expensive! I used two skeins of Caron One Pound to make the design more affordable! This rug is made in the round, around a base chain, crocheting around both sides of the ch to begin. Each rnd is joined with a sl st to the first st of the rnd, and the first st of each rnd will be worked into the same st as the joining sl st. The ch-1 does not count toward each st count.
Gauge – 10 sts and 10 rnds = 4 inches – – This does NOT need to be exact. As long as your rug lays flat, you will be fine! The gauge will simply help you to be consistent in your stitching as the project goes on.
Finished Rug Size – approximately 59 inches long, and 37 inches wide
Racetrack Play Rug
Begin with green, holding two strands. Ch 53
Rnd 1: turn and inc into 2nd ch from the hook, sc in next 50 chs, 3 sc in last ch, turn to work other side of the ch, sc in next 50 chs, sc in last ch, join to first st with sl st; 106 sts
Rnd 2: ch 1, inc in each of the first 2 sts, sc in next 50 sts, inc in each of the next 3 sts, sc in next 50 sts, inc in last st, join to first st with sl st; 112 sts
Rnd 3: ch 1, (inc, sc in next st)2x, sc in next 50 sts, (inc, sc in next st)3x, sc in next 50 sts, inc, sc in next st, join to first st with sl st; 118 sts
Rnd 4: ch 1, (sc in next 2 sts, inc)2x, sc in next 50 sts, (sc in next 2 sts, inc)3x, sc in next 50 sts, sc in next 2 sts, inc, join with sl st; 124 sts
Rnd 5: ch 1, (inc, sc in next 3 sts)2x, sc in next 50 sts, (inc, sc in next 3 sts)3x, sc in next 50 sts, inc, sc in next 3 sts, join with sl st; 130 sts
Rnd 6: ch 1, (sc in next 4 sts, inc)2x, sc in next 50 sts, (sc in next 4 sts, inc)3x, sc in next 50 sts, sc in next 4 sts, inc, join with sl st; 136 sts
Rnd 7: ch 1, (inc, sc in next 5 sts)2x, sc in next 50 sts, (inc, sc in next 5 sts)3x, sc in next 50 sts, inc, sc in next 5 sts, join with sl st; 142 sts
Rnd 8: ch 1, (sc in next 6 sts, inc)2x, sc in next 50 sts, (sc in next 6 sts, inc)3x, sc in next 50 sts, sc in next 6 sts, inc in last st, join with sl st; 148 sts
Rnd 9: ch 1, (inc, sc in next 7 sts)2x, sc in next 50 sts, (inc, sc in next 7 sts)3x, sc in next 50 sts, inc, sc in next 7 sts, join with sl st; 154 sts
Rnd 10: ch 1, (sc in next 8 sts, inc)2x, sc in next 50 sts, (sc in next 8 sts, inc)3x, sc in next 50 sts, sc in next 8 sts, inc in last st, join with sl st; 160 sts
Rnd 11: ch 1, (inc, sc in next 9 sts)2x, sc in next 50 sts, (inc, sc in next 9 sts)3x, sc in next 50 sts, inc, sc in next 9 sts, join with sl st; 166 sts
The format for the increases changes slightly here to maintain the roundness of the ends.
Rnd 12: ch 1, sc in next 5 sts, inc, sc in next 10 sts, inc, sc in next 60 sts, (inc, sc in next 10 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 60 sts, inc, sc in next 5 sts, join with sl st; 172 sts
Rnd 13: ch 1, (sc in next 11 sts, inc)2x, sc in next 50 sts, (sc in next 11 sts, inc)3x, sc in next 50 sts, sc in next 11 sts, inc, join with sl st; 178 sts
Rnd 14: ch 1, sc in next 6 sts, inc, sc in next 12 sts, inc, sc in next 62 sts, (inc, sc in next 12 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 62 sts, inc, sc in next 6 sts, join with sl st; 184 sts
Rnd 15: ch 1, (inc, sc in next 13 sts)2x, sc in next 50 sts, (inc, sc next 13 sts)3x, sc in next 50 sts, inc, sc in next 13 sts, join with sl st; 190 sts
Rnd 16: ch 1, sc in the next 7 sts, inc, sc in next 14 sts, inc, sc in next 64 sts, (inc, sc in next 14 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 64 sts, inc, sc in next 7 sts, join with sl st; 196 sts
Change to black, and fasten off green. I pulled the black through on the joining sl st at the end of rnd 16
Rnd 17: in black, ch 1, (sc in next 15 sts, inc)2x, sc in next 50 sts, (sc in next 15 sts, inc)3x, sc in next 50 sts, sc in next 15 sts, inc, join with sl st; 202 sts
Change to white, but do not fasten off the black. You will pick the black back up for rnd 19.
Rnd 18: in white, ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st; 202 sts
Fasten off white, continue in black. You will color change between white and black briefly for the starting line. Everything is in sc, so I will simplify by abbreviating, w=white and b=black, for those sts. It’s important to note that this is the only time we are changing colors in rnds 19-33. All other sts of the track are in black. Beyond rnd 19, during the starting line color changes, you will be bring the white back from it’s last st of the previous rnd. Pull it so that it lays flat against the last rnd, but not so tight that it puckers the rug. Carry the color that’s not in use, under your sts.
Rnd 19: ch 1, sc in next 8 sts, inc, sc in next 16 sts, inc, sc in next 48, w, b, w, b, w, continue in black for the rest of the rnd, sc in next 13 sts, (inc, sc in next 16 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 66 sts, inc, sc in next 8 sts, join with sl st; 208 sts
You can also view video footage HERE, of how I change colors within a continuous rnd.
Rnd 20: ch 1, (inc, sc in next 17 sts)2x, sc in next 41 sts, w, b, w, continue in black for the rest of the rnd, sc in next 6 sts, (inc, sc in next 17 sts)3x, sc in next 50 sts, inc, sc in next 17 sts, join with sl st; 214 sts
Rnd 21: ch 1, sc in next 9 sts, inc, sc in next 18 sts, inc, sc in next 49 sts, w, b, w, b, w, continue in black for the rest of the rnd, sc in next 14 sts, (inc, sc in next 18 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 68 sts, inc, sc in next 9 sts, join with sl st; 220 sts
Rnd 22: ch 1, (sc in next st 19 sts, inc)2x, sc in next 41 sts, w, b, w, continue in black for the rest of the rnd, sc in next 6 sts, (sc in next 19 sts, inc)3x, sc in next 69 sts, inc, join with sl st; 226 sts
Rnd 23: ch 1, sc in next 10 sts, inc, sc in next 20 sts, inc, sc in next 50 sts, w, b, w, b, w, continue in black for the rest of the rnd, sc in next 15 sts, (inc, sc in next 20 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 70 sts, inc, sc in next 10 sts, join with sl st; 232 sts
Rnd 24: ch 1, (inc, sc in next 21 sts)2x, sc in next 41 sts, w, b, w, continue in black for the rest of the rnd, sc in next 6 sts, (inc, sc in next 21 sts)3x, sc in next 50 sts, inc, sc in next 21 sts, join with sl st; 238 sts
Rnd 25: ch 1, sc in next 11 sts, inc, sc in next 22 sts, inc, sc in next 51 sts, w, b, w, b, w, continue in black for the rest of the rnd, sc in next 16 sts, (inc, sc in next 22 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 72 sts, inc, sc in next 11 sts, join with sl st; 244 sts
Rnd 26: ch 1, (sc in next 23 sts, inc)2x, sc in next 41 sts, w, b, w, continue in black for the rest of the rnd, sc in next 6 sts, (sc in next 23 sts, inc)3x, sc in next 73 sts, inc, join with sl st; 250 sts
Rnd 27: ch 1, sc in next 12 sts, inc, sc in next 24 sts, inc, sc in next 52 sts, w, b, w, b, w, continue in black for the rest of the rnd, sc in next 17 sts, (inc, sc in next 24 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 74 sts, inc, sc in next 12 sts, join with sl st; 256 sts
Rnd 28: ch 1, (inc, sc in next 25 sts)2x, sc in next 41 sts, w, b, w, continue in black for the rest of the rnd, sc in next 6 sts, (inc, sc in next 25 sts)3x, sc in next 50 sts, inc, sc in next 25 sts, join with sl st; 262 sts
Rnd 29: ch 1, sc in next 94 sts, w, b, w, b, w, continue in black for the last 163 sts, join with sl st; 262 sts
Rnd 30: ch 1, sc in next 13 sts, inc, sc in next 26 sts, inc, sc in next 54 sts, w, b, w, continue in black for the rest of the rnd, sc in next next 19 sts, (inc, sc in next 26 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 76 sts, inc, sc in next 13 sts, join with sl st; 268 sts
Rnd 31: ch 1, (sc in next 27 sts, inc)2x, sc in next 40 sts, w, b, w, b, w, continue in black for the rest of the rnd, sc in next 5 sts, (sc in next 27 sts, inc)3x, sc in next 77 sts, inc, join with sl st; 274 sts
Rnd 32: ch 1, sc in next 14 sts, inc, sc in next 28 sts, inc, sc in next 55 sts, w, b, w, continue in black for the rest of the rnd, sc in next 20 sts, (inc, sc in next 28 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 78 sts, inc, sc in next 14 sts, join with sl st; 280 sts
Rnd 33: ch 1, (inc, sc in next 29 sts)2x, sc in next 40 sts, w, b, w, b, w, continue in black for the rest of the rnd (and fasten off the white here), sc in next 5 sts, (inc, sc in next 29 sts)3x, sc in next 50 sts, inc, sc in next 29 sts, join with sl st; 286 sts
Change to white.
Rnd 34: in white, ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st; 286 sts
Switch back to black.
Rnd 35: in black ch 1, sc in next 15 sts, inc, sc in next 30 sts, inc, sc in next 80 sts, (inc, sc in next 30 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 80 sts, inc, sc in next 15 sts, join with sl st; 292 sts
Switch to green
Rnd 36: ch 1, (sc in next 31 sts, inc)2x, sc in next 50 sts, (sc in next 31 sts, inc)3x, sc in next 81 sts, inc, join with sl st; 298 sts
Color changes will be occurring between green, black, and white, for parking lanes and grass.
*Note: In the parking sections carry the black and white together until you get to the green, and then fasten both off each side. DO NOT carry black and white around the turns under the green stitching, because it will create a very inconsistent gauge, and cause the rug to pucker and stick up around the edges. Likewise, the green will be fastened off at the end of every turn, when you pick up the black again.
Rnd 37: in green still, ch 1, sc in next 16 sts, inc, sc in next 32 sts, inc, sc in next 16 sts, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 50 sts, fasten of black and pick up green, in green sc in next 16 sts, (inc, sc in next 32 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 16 sts, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 50 sts, fasten off black and pick up green, in green sc in next 16 sts, inc, sc in next 16 sts, join with sl st; 304 sts
Rnd 38: in green, ch 1, (inc, sc in next 33 sts)2x, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next 46 sts carrying black behind, fasten off white and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and pick up green, in green (inc, sc in next 33 sts)3x, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next 46 sts carrying black behind, fasten off white and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and pick up green, in green inc, sc in next 33 sts, join with sl st; 310 sts
Rnd 39: in green ch 1, sc in next 17 sts, inc, sc in next 34 sts, inc, sc in next 17 sts, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green sc in next 17 sts, (inc, sc in next 34 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 17 sts, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green sc in next 17 sts, inc, sc in next 17 sts, join with sl st; 316 sts
Rnd 40: in green ch 1, (sc in next 35 sts, inc)2x, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green (sc in next 35 sts, inc)3x, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green sc in next 35 sts, inc, join with sl st; 322 sts
Rnd 41: in green ch 1, sc in next 18 sts, inc, sc in next 36 sts, inc, sc in next 18 sts, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green sc in next 18 sts, (inc, sc in next 36 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 18 sts, fasten off green and pick up blcak, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green sc in next 18 sts, inc, sc in next 18 sts, join with sl st; 328 sts
Rnd 42: in green ch 1, (inc, sc in next 37 sts)2x, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green (inc, sc in next 37 sts)3x, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green inc, sc in next 37 sts, join with sl st; 334 sts
Rnd 43: in green ch 1, sc in next 19 sts, inc, sc in next 38 sts, inc, sc in next 19 sts, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green sc in next 19 sts, (inc, sc in next 38 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 19 sts, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green sc in next 19 sts, inc, sc in next 19 sts, join with sl st; 340 sts
Rnd 44: in green ch 1, (sc in next 39 sts, inc)2x, fasten of green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green (sc in next 39 sts, inc)3x, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green sc in next 39 sts, inc, join with sl st; 346 sts
Rnd 45: in green ch 1, sc in next 20 sts, inc, sc in next 40 sts, inc, sc in next 20 sts, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green sc in next 20 sts, (inc, sc in next 40 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 20 sts, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green sc in next 20 sts, inc, sc in next 20 sts, join with sl st; 352 sts
Rnd 46: in green ch 1, (inc, sc in next 41 sts)2x, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green (inc, sc in next 41 sts)3x, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green inc, sc in next 41 sts, join with sl st; 358 sts
Rnd 47: in green ch 1, sc in next 21 sts, inc, sc in next 42 sts, inc, sc in next 21 sts, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green sc in next 21 sts, (inc, sc in next 42 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 21 sts, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green sc in next 21 sts, inc, sc in next 21 sts, join with sl st; 364 sts
Rnd 48: in green ch 1, (sc in next 43 sts, inc)2x, fasten of green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green (sc in next 43 sts, inc)3x, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 2 sts, in white sc in next st, (in black sc in next 4 sts, in white sc in next st)9x, in black sc in next 2 sts, fasten off black and white and pick up green, in green sc in next 43 sts, inc, join with sl st; 370 sts
Rnd 49: in green ch 1, sc in next 22 sts, inc, sc in next 44 sts, inc, sc in next 22 sts, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 50 sts, fasten off black and pick up green, in green sc in next 22 sts, (inc, sc in next 44 sts)2x, inc, sc in next 22 sts, fasten off green and pick up black, in black sc in next 50 sts, fasten off black and pick up green, in green sc in next 22 sts, inc, sc in next 22 sts, join with sl st; 376 sts
Fasten off the black and white, and finish the last rnd with green.
Rnd 50: ch 1, sc in each st around, join to first st with sl st; 376 sts
Fasten off, and weave in all ends.
Lines
Using several yards of white yarn and your tapestry needle, sew the lines on for the car lanes. Each car lane should be the width of 5 sts. Begin at the starting line where it’s easiest to weave in your ends! Make the lines about 3 sts long, with about 3 sts between each line, weave your yarn from the top side to bottom side of the rug. Do not pull them too tightly, or your rug will pucker. Just pull them taught to the rug. Knot and weave in ends under the finish line.
I hope you have enjoyed making the Racetrack Play Rug! If you love this design, be sure to check out some of my other free patterns on the blog! Follow me along on Instagram for more sneak peeks and new pattern releases! If you loved making any of my patterns, and show them off on Instagram, please be sure to tag @ekaygdesigns to let me know, and I will share in my stories!