It took a few tries until I was satisfied with this pattern. At first, they were coming out too hexagon shaped, so I decided to alternate the increase/decrease placement every other row. That gives the ball a more round shape.
I also wasn’t happy with the gaps that the decreases made, especially on the navy ball. You could see the white stuffing! Then I remembered this invisible decrease from Planet June. Problem solved!
Have fun with this one. On Friday I’ll show you a little variation. Stay tuned!
Tiny Crochet Ball Pattern
worsted weight yarn (I used Aunt Lydia’s cotton)
size G/6 (4.25mm) crochet hook
polyfil for stuffing
tapestry needle for weaving ends
sc: single crochet
inc: 2 sc in one stitch
dec: 1 sc over two stitches through the front loops only
gauge: not important, but mine are about 2 1/2 inches wide
Make a magic ring.
R1: 6 sc into ring
Ball worked as a spiral. Place marker to keep track of rounds.
R2: inc in each stitch around
R3: *inc, sc* around
R4: *2 sc, inc* around
R5: *inc, 3 sc* around
R6: *4 sc, inc* around
R7-11: sc around
R12: *dec, 4 sc* around
R13: *3 sc, dec* around
R14: *dec, 2 sc* around
R15: *1 sc, dec* around
Stuff with polyfil
R16: dec around
Ooooh… I see a bunch of gorgeous cat toys in my future! Thanks so much, I’ll be linking.
THANK YOU! My husband likes to juggle. I think these will be perfect.
Thanks for the pattern – I appreciate your taking the time to write it up. The invisible decrease is great. I just made a bunch of your little ghosts – so cute and quick – my kind of project.
Thank you so much for writing up this pattern. I made a few of these over the weekend, that I’m going to use as Christmas baubles. – I had never heard of invisible decreasing before and absolutely love it!
I’m going to link to this from my blog.
I am going to make these for the cats and put cat nip inside them. Finding a pattern that the stuffing doesn’t eek out of is great!!! Love the invisible decrease too!
how many inches is this ball?
Thanks for writing this great tutorial, the ball was really easy and looks fab! And the invisible decrease was invaluable. I’ve linked to this page from my blog – I hope this is ok? Em xx
Thank you so much! It’s a neat little pattern, it took me a half hour to make my first ball and it turned out so good!
Hi! Thanks for the pattern. Can anyone help me with my confusion?–I’m a beginner.
I’m trying to figure out the difference between rows 2 and 3. Do we do 2 sc in each sc for both rows 2 and 3? And then for row 4, 3 sc in each?
Thanks so much in advance!
I used this pattern, slightly modified (I stopped growing it at 24 sc), to make some pumpkin earrings. The full size pattern makes perfect halloween pumpkin decos! Thanks a lot!
I’m so glad I found this! Love the pattern, thank you for sharing. My 11yr old daughter is making one for her cat and she told a friend about it…I just printed instructions for her friend! I live where it snows but my siblings don’t so I’m thinking unmeltable snowballs for their kids for Christmas??? Hmm…the whole family could have a snowball fight…better start crocheting! Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much for sharing how to make these. I am planning on making these for my twins.
Great little pattern Julie…thanks! Jill x
I bet they would make great Hacky Sacks!
I love these. Your right(to Nancy), they would make great hacky sacks. Fill them with beans. There are so many uses for these. You could make little smiley’s and hang them from your rearview mirror. Thanks for sharing this Julie.
Have a wonderful day.
Thanks so much for putting these out there. Such fun, and your patterns are super easy to follow. Love it!
Great pattern, thanks! So easy and neat.