oh balls! - knit balls pattern
A sphere is such a versatile shape to have in one’s knitting repertoire. I use this ball pattern to make fruits, toys or something soft enough to throw at the television (oh like you haven’t wanted to throw something at the tv before).
Oh Balls!
Do not reproduce this pattern elsewhere. This pattern is for personal use only. In other words, don’t try to make money off of it.
Materials
Set of US size 7 double pointed needles
Worsted weight yarn
Stitch marker
Material for stuffing (yarn scraps, batting, plastic grocery bags, etc.)
Yarn needle, for weaving in ends
Pattern
Cast on 6 sts and knit one row as for I-cord.
Divide sts equally among 3 dpns. Place stitch marker and begin to knit in the round.
Round 1: kfb all sts (12 sts)
Round 2: knit
Round 3: *k1, kfb; repeat from * (18 sts)
Round 4: knit
Round 5: *k2, kfb; repeat from * (24 sts)
Round 6: knit
Round 7: *k3, kfb; repeat from * (30 sts)
Round 8: knit
Round 9: *k4, kfb; repeat from * (36 sts)
Round 10: knit
Round 11: *k8, kfb; repeat from * (40 sts)
Rounds 12-14: knit
Round 15: *k8, k2tog; repeat from * (36 sts)
Round 16: knit
Round 17: *k4, k2tog; repeat from * (30 sts)
Round 18: knit
Round 19: *k3, k2tog; repeat from * (24 sts)
Round 20: knit
Round 21: *k2, k2tog; repeat from * (18 sts)
Round 22: knit
Stuff ball with yarn scraps, batting, etc.
Round 23: *k1, k2tog; repeat from * (12 sts)
Round 24: knit
Round 25: *k2tog; repeat from * (6 sts)
Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread needle with yarn tail, pull through remaining stitches and knot discreetly. Run needle down the center of ball and through to other side. Snip excess tail close to ball’s surface. Makes about a 2.5-inch diameter ball.
The striped ball is easily made by casting on and knitting rounds 1-10 with color 1, switching to color 2 for rounds 11-15 and changing to color 3 for rounds 16-25.
Pattern now available for download as a pdf file.
This pattern is now available in German (translated by Kalinumba, with my permission).
February 7th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
thanks for a simple, but nice basic pattern.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
You’re welcome! When I first wanted to knit a simple ball, I couldn’t find any easy, free patterns, so I decided to make one up.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Thanks for posting the pattern! Any stuffing hints? I can’t seem to get the balls to come out looking like balls. :)
February 9th, 2008 at 12:34 am
You’re most welcome J! Hmmm, stuffing hints? I prefer to stuff with yarn over batting and I like to almost overstuff. It might feel like you are knitting around a watermelon when you’re closing up the ball, but it’s the only way I’ve been able to get the nice roundness.
March 1st, 2008 at 4:19 pm
THANKS! This is perfect! I was looking for something like this in order to make this.
March 1st, 2008 at 5:47 pm
You’re welcome doc! That is the best dressed owl I’ve ever seen. :)
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I am new to knitting and I’ve suddenly become obsessed with creating a toy that I can see in my mind but I needed a ball pattern to see if I could make it happen. Thank you so much!
March 24th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
You’re very welcome busickhall. I think it’s great if the ball pattern can act as a springboard to making other creations. :)
March 26th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Thanks so much — this pattern was exactly what I was looking for! Very well written and easy to understand.
March 26th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
You’re welcome ambertides. I’m glad the pattern was useful. :)
March 29th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Hi S. Debra.
I looked at the link that you provided. While that pattern and my pattern are both for knit balls, our patterns are different from one another.
I came up with my pattern independently. I’m sure there are other patterns available for knit balls by other people that were developed independently too.
I believe having the option of different patterns for similar objects can only benefit knitters, as it allows each person to use a pattern that best suits their particular style and tastes.
March 29th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
I’m glad you like the olives S. Debra. :)
Seeing the jar is a daily reminder for me to “think positive”. As for selling them, I don’t think I could. I learned a while ago that it is best for me to keep my hobbies as hobbies.
January 13th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
what’s the math for making it a little larger? i thought it was just increasing six stitches around, but on the last round it;s only four. i want to give it to a one-month-old, and they just seem too small to give to someone that little. - kendra
February 9th, 2009 at 6:01 am
Thank you ^.^
I will try.
July 4th, 2009 at 8:36 am
thanks for the pattern! do you know how i could make it a little larger? i feel like making a little pon and zi doll, and using this for the head, but i'm not sure 2.5 inches in diameter will be big enough