Love playing checkers? This giant crochet checkerboard pattern creates a rug size checkerboard and game pieces. This free crochet pattern uses basic stitches and is great for beginners.
Below you will find the complete pattern and instructional photos for this Crochet Checkerboard pattern. You will also find all the materials, stitches, and gauge for this crochet project.
Crochet Checkerboard Pattern – A Great Gift
Obviously, this crochet checkerboard game would make a great project for anyone who likes to play board games. You can make it for a son or daughter. It would make a great father’s day gift. I think we will be putting ours in with our camping and picnicking gear to take on outings.
A Portable Giant Checkerboard Game
We plan to take our checkerboard with us camping. I didn’t want to have to crochet a separate bag to hold the board and checker pieces, so instead, I added a button and buttonhole to turn the checkerboard into its own carrying case. See the photo tutorial at the end of the crochet pattern to see how to fold up your game board into a cute little pouch.
The Premium Ad-Free PDF Pattern
Below you will find the free crochet checkerboard pattern with all the instructional photos and videos needed to complete the pattern, but I am also aware that several of us like to crochet on the couch, in the car, or in bed with a printout of the pattern. This is why I also offer a nicely formatted large font PDF version of the pattern that can be purchased on Etsy or Ravelry. You can print the pattern and take it on the go with you or tuck it into your project bag.
More Patterns you may Love
Don’t forget to check out all the free patterns at Winding Road Crochet. You may just find a new favorite project.
Portable Crochet Checkerboard Pattern
Pin pattern to Pinterest!
Save to Ravelry Favorites!
Purchase Premium PDF Pattern on Etsy!
Materials Needed
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information refer to my Terms and Conditions.
5 oz or 266 yds of Red Heart Super Saver (Size 4 Yarn) in Heather Grey
4.7 oz or 250 yds of Red Heart Super Saver (Size 4 Yarn) in Aran Fleck (Tan)
0.7 oz or 38 yds of Red Heart Super Saver (Size 4 Yarn) in Black
0.7 oz or 38 yds of Red Heart Super Saver (Size 4 Yarn) in Burgundy
Size H 5mm Crochet Hook
Yarn Needle
Scissors
3/4 inch Button
**Shop my Favorite Tools Here**
Stitches and Abbreviations
CH – Chain
SC – Single Crochet
DC – Double Crochet
MC – Magic Circle
CC – Change Color
SLST – Slip Stitch
ST(s) – Stitch(es)
Gauge and Size
Gauge: 7 DC = 2 inches 6 Rows = 3.5 inches
Checkerboard: 27 x 27 inches
Game Pieces: 2.5 inches in diameter
Other Skills to Know
For this pattern you will need to know:
How to Change Colors
How to Carry Your Yarn
Magic Circle (The Easy Way)
and
How to Crochet a Single Crochet Border.
Click the links above to be taken to a video tutorial of these skills.
Portable Crochet Checkerboard Pattern
Notes:
-Written in US terms.
– I do not count my CH2, turning chain, as a stitch.
– Pattern is worked with two colors at once. One color will be carried under the other color when it is not being used.
With Grey CH 90
Row 1: Work a DC into the 3rd CH from the hook, DC in next 10 CH, *CC to tan, DC in next 11 CH, CC to Grey, DC in next 11 CH* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Tan, DC in last 11 CH. (88 DC)
Row 2: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Grey, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 3: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Tan, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 4: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Grey, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 5: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Tan, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 6: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Grey, DC in last 11 CH.
Note: For row 7 you will be working Tan stitches into the grey stitches of the previous row, and grey stitching into the tan stitches of the previous row.
Row 7: CC to Tan, CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Grey, DC in last 11 CH.
Rows 8: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Tan, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 9: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Grey, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 10: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Tan, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 11: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Grey, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 12: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Tan, DC in last 11 CH.
Rows 13: CC to Grey, CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Tan, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 14: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Grey, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 15: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Tan, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 16: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Grey, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 17: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Tan, DC in last 11 CH.
Rows 18: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Grey, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 19-30: Repeat Rows 7-18.
Row 31-42: Repeat Rows 7-18.
Row 43: CC to Tan, CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Grey, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 44: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Tan, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 45: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Grey, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 46: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Tan, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 47: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Grey, DC in last 11 CH.
Row 48: CH2, turn, DC in first 11 STs, *CC to Tan, DC in next 11 STs, CC to Grey, DC in next 11 STs.* repeat from *to* a total of 3 times. CC to Tan, DC in last 11 CH.
With the last stitch, change to the color you want to use for the border.
Do not fasten off the yarn the will be used for your border color. Fasten off the yarn the will not be used for the border color.
Crochet Border and Button Hole
Row 49 Side 1: CH1, turn so you are working down the side of rows 1-48. Work 2 SC into the side of each row. (96SC for this side).
Row 49 Side 2: CH1, turn so you are working into the opposite side of the starting chain. Work 88 SC along the bottom side of the starting CH. (88SC for this side).
Row 49 Side 3: CH1, turn so you are working down the side of rows 1-48. Work 2 SC into the side of each row. (96SC for this side).
Row 49 Side 4: CH1, turn so you are working into the top of Row 48, SC in the first 43 STs, CH2, Skip 2 STs, SC in next 43 STs. CH1, SLST to first ST of the row.
Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Crochet Game Pieces
Make 14 game pieces in black and 14 game pieces in red. Only 12 game pieces are needed to play the game. The extra 2 pieces are for ‘kinging’ someone.
Row 1: Make a Magic Circle, CH2, Work 12 DC into MC. SLST to first DC. (12)
Alternate Row 1: CH3, Work 12 DC in 3rd CH from Hook, SLST to first DC. (12)
Row 2: Ch2, *Work 2 DC into next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 12 times. SLST to first DC. (24)
Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Folding your Crochet Checkerboard and Adding a Button.
Once the crochet game pieces are made. Follow the instructions below to roll up your crochet checkerboard game and find where to place your button. I placed my button directly in the center of the board, but the placement may vary based on how tightly you roll up your crochet checkerboard rug.
- Place all the game pieces in the center of the checkerboard with the buttonhole at the top of the board.
- Take one side of the checkerboard rug and fold it 1/3 of the way over.
- Take the other side of the checkerboard and fold it 1/3 of the way over.
- Roll the board up like a sleeping bag.
- Mark the spot where the buttonhole meets the rolled-up board.
- Unroll your mat and sew your button in the place you marked.
Now you can repeat the process above and button your crochet checkerboard game to store it.
Your crochet checkerboard is complete and ready to be gifted, played with and enjoyed.
Let’s Be Friends
Want to know what I am making next? Follow me on Instagram @windingroadcrochet to see sneak peeks of what I am up to and to be notified of when I release new free patterns. You can also follow me on Pinterest and Facebook. Join our Facebook group Our Crochet Journey and be a part of our community. Share, photos, ask for help, and be inspired all in one place!
Written pattern, tutorials, photos, graphs, and pdfs of the Crochet Checkerboard free pattern are copyright Windingroadcrochet.com. Please do not reprint or repost this content as your own, but please feel free to share this link with others. You can find more information on sharing my work with others on the Terms and Conditions Page.
