I know a little boy who isn’t feeling so well and is in need of some cheering up this week. That is when the idea of the “Playnket” hit me! It’s a crochet play mat and lovey blanket all in one! Snuggle with it or lay it flat on the floor and race the cars on the track. Perfect for sick days on the couch but also a soft activity toy that is a great size to take on the go! Of course you could alway double, triple, or quadruple the pattern to make an even larger blanket. The one I made measures about 23 inches long by 19 inches wide. The small size works up extremely quickly making it an easy gift idea. I’ve already decided that this will be the first of many “playnket” designs so stay tuned!
Materials:
– Worsted weight yarn. I used Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in Lime, Mustard, Charcoal Grey, and Silver Grey.
I used 2 skeins of Lime, 1 skein of Charcoal Grey and less than a half skein of Mustard and Silver.
The cars are made using Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in Scarlet, Colonial Blue, and Mustard.
– Size I (5.5mm) crochet hook
– Tapestry needle
– Poly-fil stuffing (for cars)
– Large black buttons (for cars)
Abbreviations:
SC = Single Crochet
Ch = Chain
Note about pattern: 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)
Don’t let this confuse you. You will see this happen naturally when you begin the pattern.
I really love this stitch. It looks the same from the front and back gives a great texture. It’s the same stitch I used in my Crochet “I love You” Blanket.
Race Track Blanket
with green 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 dark gray yarn
Row 15-18: continue repeating pattern where you left off
change to yellow yarn
Row 19: continue repeating pattern where you left off
change to dark 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.
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.
Crochet Cars: I made the cars by using a size G hook and following THIS TINY CROCHET CARS PATTERN by the talented Dedri of Look What I Made. I love her version of these cute little cars, but in order to simplify it, I stopped after round 11 of her pattern and began making SC Decreases until closed. The remaining rounds will look like this:
Round 12: SC Decrease, SC in next 3, repeat around
Round 13: SC Decrease, SC in next 2, repeat around
Round 14: SC Decrease, SC in next, repeat around
Round 15: SC Decrease until closed.
Be sure to stuff the car and weave in ends before sewing shut!!