Crafty Crochet Balls

Continuing the theme of stash busting, these cute little projects are a perfect little doddle to occupy the few spare minutes of your day. All that's required is a few spare scraps of yarn, a 3.5omm crochet needle, a darning needle and a hand full or two of stuffing.

I adapted the pattern for these from a school library book. It suggested altering the colours, so the end result looks like a traditional beach ball pattern. I might try that next time; but for now, all that joining sounded like a hassle when I wanted to complete this quick smart.

The wool I have used is from The Wool Company in Taihape. All New Zealand wool, grown, spun and dyed in NZ. They have a fantastic mail order system via their web site: www.thewoolcompany.co.nz



Instructions:

•  Make a foundation row of 16 chain
• Row 1: 1 chain (ch), skip 1 chain, 4 double crochet (dc), 8 treble crochet (trc), 4 double crochet, turn.
• Row 2: 1 ch, 4 dc into next 4 dc, 8 trc into next 8 trc, 4 dc into next 4 dc, turn.
• These 2 rows form a pattern, and are repeated 9 times to form a ball shape.

Use a blunt pointed darning needle to sew a running stitch around the end of the ball; pull it tight to gather the end.

Sew the side of the ball together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leave the other end open and fill the ball with stuffing.

 

For the first one I used old scrapes of yarn collected from the ends of my weaving projects. It seemed like such a waste to throw them away. I am, however, not quite sure how this will hold up to washing, as the wool will need to be perfectly dried after washing to prevent it from later deterioration.

 

For the blue ball I resorted to using poly stuffing, as i know this can easily be washed after little fingers have spread their grimy message.

 

Stuff the ball as tightly as you can, as the stuffing will soften over time.

 

Now sew a running stitch around the open end and draw it up tightly. Sew a couple of times over the end and finish off by stitching over a couple of time in the same place. Stitch the end into the ball and cut off so it sinks in unseen.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Roll the ball around to form a nice even shape.

 

 

The multi coloured wool stuffing blends into the overall colour of the ball better than the poly stuffing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And its done; all in no time at all.

 

I dare you not to become addicted to making these cute, quick little masterpieces.