Retro 90s Memory Match Card Game Set Free Crochet Pattern

Retro 90s Memory Match Card Game Set Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This beginner-friendly pattern makes a complete memory match game: 16 flat crocheted squares (8 matching pairs) in bold 90s stripe and block colorways, plus a flat drawstring pouch to store them. It is perfect for new crocheters, for kids, and for anyone who loves a portable, screen-free game. The cards are worked in simple single crochet, so the whole set comes together quickly with just one basic stitch. The hot magenta, teal, purple, and neon yellow against black give it that unmistakable retro 90s look, and the finished pieces are flat, soft, and easy to shuffle and flip.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (CYC 4), 100% acrylic. Color A = hot magenta (~60 yd), B = teal (~60 yd), C = purple (~50 yd), D = neon yellow (~50 yd), E = black (~40 yd).
• Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6).
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, measuring tape.
• Finished size: Each card approx 2.5 x 2.5 in (6.5 x 6.5 cm); pouch approx 6 x 3.5 in (15 x 9 cm); set of 16 cards.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• st(s) — stitch(es).
• sp(s) — space(s).
• R — row.
• Rnd — round.

Gauge

16 sc x 18 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet. Check it by crocheting a small swatch and measuring a 4 in (10 cm) section; adjust your hook if needed so your cards come out close to 2.5 in (6.5 cm) square.

Tips Before You Start

• Change colors on the last stitch of the row (pull the new color through the final two loops) so the color joins look neat.
• Keep your tension even and slightly firm so the cards stay flat and square; loose stitches make floppy cards.
• Work all 16 cards before edging so you can pair them up and check that each pair matches.
• Use the black (E) edging on every card — it frames each square and makes the pairs easy to see and flip.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cards (make 16, 2 per pair)

All cards are worked flat in single crochet, 10 sts wide by 9 rows tall.

Pair 1 (A/B stripes) — make 2:
With A, ch 11.
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch (10 sts).
R2-3: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to B.
R4-5: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to A.
R6-7: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to B.
R8-9: sc in each st (10 sts). Fasten off.

Pair 2 (C/D stripes) — make 2:
With C, ch 11.
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch (10 sts).
R2-3: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to D.
R4-5: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to C.
R6-7: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to D.
R8-9: sc in each st (10 sts). Fasten off.

Pair 3 (A/C stripes) — make 2:
With A, ch 11.
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch (10 sts).
R2-3: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to C.
R4-5: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to A.
R6-7: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to C.
R8-9: sc in each st (10 sts). Fasten off.

Pair 4 (B/D stripes) — make 2:
With B, ch 11.
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch (10 sts).
R2-3: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to D.
R4-5: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to B.
R6-7: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to D.
R8-9: sc in each st (10 sts). Fasten off.

Pair 5 (C/E block) — make 2:
With C, ch 11.
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch (10 sts).
R2-4: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to E.
R5-9: sc in each st (10 sts). Fasten off.

Pair 6 (A/E block) — make 2:
With A, ch 11.
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch (10 sts).
R2-4: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to E.
R5-9: sc in each st (10 sts). Fasten off.

Pair 7 (D/E block) — make 2:
With D, ch 11.
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch (10 sts).
R2-4: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to E.
R5-9: sc in each st (10 sts). Fasten off.

Pair 8 (B/E block) — make 2:
With B, ch 11.
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch (10 sts).
R2-4: sc in each st (10 sts).
Change to E.
R5-9: sc in each st (10 sts). Fasten off.

Edging (each card)

Join E with a sl st at any corner. Sc evenly around the entire card (approx 10 sc per side, 3 sc in each corner), then sl st to the first sc. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Pouch

Front and Back (make 2, E):
Ch 25.
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch (24 sts).
R2-14: sc in each st (24 sts). Do not fasten off the Front.

Join:
With the Front, ch 1, sc across the top edge of the Front (24 sts), continue sc across the top edge of the Back (24 sts), sc down the left side (14 sts), sc across the bottom (24 sts), sc up the right side (14 sts), sl st to the first sc (100 sts). Fasten off.

Drawstring channel:
Join A at the top-right corner, ch 1, sc in each st around the top edge only (48 sts), sl st to the first sc.
Rnd 2: [sc, ch 1, skip 1] around (24 sc, 24 ch-1 sps), sl st to the first sc.
Rnd 3: sc in each sc and each ch-1 sp around (48 sts), sl st to the first sc. Fasten off.

Drawstring (make 1, A):
Ch 60, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each ch (59 sts). Fasten off. Thread through the ch-1 spaces of Rnd 2 and tie the ends.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the cards and pouch. Pair the cards by matching colorway so you have 8 pairs of 2. Block the cards lightly if needed by misting them with water and patting them flat to dry so they lie square. Store the set in the pouch.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Make a second set in different color combinations so two players can each have their own deck.
• Add a small loop of yarn to the pouch drawstring so it can hang from a bag or stroller.
• Use a larger hook and thicker yarn to make an oversized floor version of the game for younger kids.