Spiraled Crochet Wool Ball

This ball was inspired by a conversation about the dryer balls below...this design may work for dryer balls if stuffed solidly enough...they didn't turn out quite like I had in my head (I think for the effect I was trying to go for, I may need to go to knitted instead...stay tuned ;)), but is still super cute, and my son is enjoying a new all natural toy!

Each ball is worked in two panels that are then whip stitched together and stuffed.
Hook: G
yarn: Worsted Weight wool...example uses Knit Picks wool of the Andes in Maple Syrup and Williamsburg

Special stitch: Double Crochet Puff...yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops on hook (2 loops remain)yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops on hook (3 loops remain), yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops on hook (4 loops remain), yarn over, insert hook, yarnover, pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops on hook, (5 loops reamin), yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on hook...puff created (the single chain or slip stitch that follows each puff in the pattern will make it 'pop'.)

R1 Chain 2, and work 6 sc's in the second chain from hook, join with a slip stitch in the first sc
R2 Ch1, (sc, work puff) around, join with a slip stitch in the first sc
R3 Ch 1, *(sc, puff) in next st*, sc in next st, repeat ** around, join with a slip stitch in the first sc.
R4 Ch 1, *(sc, work puff) in next st*, sc in next 2 sts, repeat ** around, join with a slip stitch in the first sc.
R5 Ch 1, *(sc, work puff) in next st*, sc in next 3 sts, repeat ** around, join with a slip stitch in the first sc.
R6 Ch 1, *(sc, work puff) in next st*, sc in next 4 sts, repeat ** around, join with a slip stitch in the first sc.
R7 Ch 1, *(sc, work puff) in next st*, sc in next 5 sts, repeat ** around, join with a slip stitch in the first sc.
R8 Ch 1, *(sc, work puff) in next st*, sc in next 6 sts, repeat ** around, join with a slip stitch in the first sc.
R9 Ch 1, *(sc, work puff) in next st*, sc in next 7 sts, repeat ** around, join with a slip stitch in the first sc.
R10 Ch 1, *(sc, work puff) in next st*, sc in next 8 sts, repeat ** around, join with a slip stitch in the first sc.
Bind off

Repeat for other half.



Line up the puffs of each half and whip stitch around, leaving an opening for stuffing, stuff as desired, then whip closed. (Example was moderately stuffed with organic cotton, but you can use polyfil, batting, wool roving, or a ball of yarn to stuff)



The ball is now finished...at this point you can leave it as is, or you can felt it.

I felted this one by hand, as I wanted to be able to control the rate of felting and make sure that the swirls created by the puffs were maintained.



Use as desired...a dryer ball, a juggling ball, or a fun and safe baby toy :) Pin It