How to Crochet a Ball Toy

Corrina begins by noting that you will want to use a hook size that is a little bit smaller that the recommended hook for the yarn. For her ball toy she is using a worsted weight yarn and a Size G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook. This allows the fabric to be tight, so that the stuffing won’t poke through the toy.

The toy is worked in a spiral and is started with a disappearing loop (also known as a magic ring). Once Corrina creates the ring, she starts working single crochet stitches into the ring. Increases are worked to start forming the sphere shape. She then works a few rows of straight single crochet (one single crochet in each stitch around), and then works rounds with invisible decreases.

To work the invisible decreases, Corrina follows these steps:

1. Bring hook under the front loop of the next stitch (2 loops on hook).
2. Going to the next stitch, bring hook under the front loop (3 loops on hook).
3. Yarn over, draw through two loops (2 loops remain on hook).
4. Yarn over, draw through two loops (1 loop remains on hook; single crochet invisible decrease is complete).

When nearing the end of the toy, she stuffs the toy with cotton balls (poly-fill stuffing can also be used) and she finishes up the toy with the magic fasten off.

BALL TOY DETAILS

Finished Size

2.5” [6 cm] tall – 7.75” [20 cm] circumference

Gauge

20 single crochet stitches = 4” [10 cm]

Gauge is not critical for this pattern; however, a different gauge will affect size of toy and amount of yarn used.

Materials

• Worsted weight cotton yarn, approximately 50 yards
• Size G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle
• Poly-fill stuffing