How to Crochet a Ball

This basic pattern to make crochet balls is the perfect place to start if you are a beginner or simply looking for the perfect amigurumi ball pattern! I am so excited to share this free crochet ball pattern that is great even for beginners, with you, in addition to a few tips and tricks that will help your ball turn out amazing.

If you are here, you likely have already a plan in mind for your crochet balls, however, if you do not. Here are a few ways that you can use these crochet balls in different ways.

Jump to the Free Pattern

What to do With a Crochet Ball Pattern

Christmas Ornaments

These crochet balls can be made in a variety of shapes and colors making them the perfect addition to your Christmas Tree.

Baby Toys

Making crochet amigurumi balls in different sizes is a fun baby shower gift. You could make the balls into a mobile or give them as soft plush gifts for the baby.

Sensory Toys

These soft crochet balls also make great sensory toys if you want to make multiple balls to add to your sensory toy box.

Hacky Sacks

You can easily make these crochet balls into hacky sacks simply by filling them with sand, rice, dried beans, or dried lentils.

Stress Balls

Another great use for these little crochet balls is to use them as soft stress balls. You can easily make them in a variety of sizes, which is perfect for any hand size.

Dog and Cat Toys

Making these crochet balls as dog or cat toys is another great option. They are so soft and fluffy if your pet loves balls, then these will surely be a hit.

Amigurumi

These crochet balls are also a type of amigurumi. Amigurumi is essentially a Japanese term for crochet stuffed toys. You can use the techniques in making these crochet balls, to make many different types of crochet stuffies.

Jewelry

Another fun way to use these crochet balls is to turn them into crochet jewelry. You can do this by using very fine yarn, or crochet thread to make tiny crochet balls for your micro crochet jewelry.

Dryer Balls

Perhaps a less considered way that you can use these crochet balls is to use them as dryer balls when you are drying clothes in your clothes dryer.

Home Décor

A fun way to use these crochet balls is as decorations around your house. There are so many different opportunities to add a fun twist to your home when using them as decorations.

Now that you have a few different ideas on the many uses of these fun crochet balls, let’s take a look at the basic way that these crochet balls are made.

Breaking a Ball down into Sections

There are three main sections that every crochet ball is made in. This basic way is to break the overall production of your crochet balls into third sections. The first third is primarily made up of increased stitches until you get the ball to its desired size. Then you will have a few rounds of even rows, where you are neither adding nor subtracting stitches. Then the last third of the crocheted ball is made up of decreased stitches, as you round out the project.

Section One: Increase the Stitches in Each Round

To begin you will want to create a magic ring, also known as a magic circle. Add your desired number of stitches to the ring, then pull it tight. Each of the following rounds in the first third of your project is created using increased and regular crochet stitches.

Section Two: Work Even Rounds of Single Crochet

The middle third of your crochet project is worked in normal crochet stitches. Where you are neither adding stitches nor subtracting them. You will simply work one crochet stitch in each stitch around.

It is a good idea when you are working on this middle third section of your crochet project to make sure that you have an odd number of rounds. This way you will have a central point of your ball, making it turn out nice and round.

Section Three: Decrease the Stitches in Each Round

The last third of your crochet ball project is made up or normal stitches mixed with decreased stitches, essentially the exact opposite of the increase rounds.

Now that you know the basic concepts that make up the different thirds of a crochet ball, let’s look at an actual crochet pattern, including some abbreviations for the crochet stitches you will need to know, as well as what materials are helpful to have on hand.

Free Ball Crochet Pattern

Materials Needed:

Yarn

Crochet Hook

Stitch Marker

Yarn Needle

Scissors

Abbreviations for Crochet Balls

mr – magic ring (aka magic circle)

sc – single crochet stitches

sc inc – single crochet increase

inv dec – invisible decrease

sl st – slip stitch

st/sts – stitch/stitches

Free Crochet Ball Pattern

Step 1: Start the Ball With a Magic Ring

Round 1: Make a mr, ch 1, in the mr make 6 sc sts. Pull the magic loop tight, and join with a sl st. (6sts)

Step 2: Work Increase for the First Third of the Crochet Ball

Round 2: ch 1, work sc inc in each st around. (12sts)

Round 3: (sc, sc inc) repeat around. (18sts)

Round 4: (sc, sc inc, sc) repeat around. (24sts)

Round 5: (3 sc, sc inc) repeat around. (30sts)

Round 6: (2 sc, sc inc, 2 sc) repeat around. (36sts)

Step 3: The Middle Third Working in Even Rounds

Round 7-14: sc in each stitch around. (36sts)

Step 4: Fill the Ball With Stuffing or Other Filler

Add your desired stuffing to the crochet ball. Make sure to stuff it enough so that the ball turns out nice and round.

Step 5: Decrease Stitches for the Last Third

Round 15: (2 sc, inv dec, 2 sc) repeat around. (30sts)

Round 16: (3 sc, inv dec) repeat around. (24sts)

Round 17: (sc, inv dec, sc) repeat around. (18sts)

Round 18: (sc, inv dec) repeat around. (12sts)

Round 19: work inv dec around. (6sts)

Step 6: Finishing Off the Crochet Ball

Close the Ball by Gathering the Last Stitches

Round 20: work inv dec in each stitch, to pull them all together to securely finish out the crochet ball. If you need, you can finish off the yarn, and leave a long tail for sewing. Then gather all of the stitches with your yarn needle and pull them tight.

Secure the Yarn and Weave the Ends

Make sure to tie off the yarn, and weave in the ends to hide any loose ends of yarn.

Crochet Techniques To Make Balls

Staggering the Increase Stitches

You will notice in the instructions above, I have suggested that you stagger the increase and invisible decrease stitches so that your project gets worked in a nice circle. If you stack the increase and decrease stitches, you will end up with more of a hexagon shape.

Working In Continuous Rounds Vs Separate Rounds

In the pattern instructions outlined above, you will notice that I did not say to join each round with a slip stitch, before moving to the next one. This is because your ball will turn out much more round and smoother if you work it in continuous rounds.

However, if you prefer, you may work the ball in separate rounds. To do this, you will simply join the first stitch in the round with a slip stitch before finishing it out. Then chain one stitch to begin the next round.

Working in separate rounds, by joining the first and last stitch made in the round with a slip stitch allows you to tell much more easily where you are in the pattern. But if you want the perfectly round ball, you will want to work in continuous rounds, and use a stitch marker, to keep track of where each round started and stopped.

Ultimately, it’s a matter of your personal preference if you work in continuous rounds, or if you join the round to work each one separately.

How to Crochet a Ball for Beginners – 4 Basic Skills Needed

In the pattern given above, I mentioned several different crocheting skills. Let’s look at each one of those skills in detail, so that you make make the perfect crochet ball.

Skill 1 – Magic Ring

The magic ring is used to start your crochet ball. This allows you to have a nice and tight center of the crochet ball. If you have never made a magic ring before, make sure to check out my full tutorial with step-by-step instructions.

If the magic circle is too confusing for you, there is another method you can also try. This is called the chain two method. Essentially, you will start the project by chaining two stitches. Then skip the chain space closest to your crochet hook and work your stitches in the second chain stitch from your hook.

Skill 2 – Single Crochet Stitches

The single crochet stitch is one of the very basic crochet stitches you will want to know. This stitch is also what is most often used to make any crochet amigurumi toy project.

Those of you who are brand new to crocheting and want to learn how to make a single crochet stitch, be sure to check out my full tutorial on how to single crochet, included in my post on Learning How to Crochet. Or you can check out this YouTube Short to see a quick demonstration that you can easily follow!

Skill 3 – How To Increase In Single Crochet

The next skill you will need to know to make this crochet ball pattern for beginners is how to increase a single crochet. To make a single crochet increase stitch, all you have to do is make two single crochet stitches in the same stitch from the previous round.

Check out my quick YouTube tutorial to see how this single crochet increase stitch is made.

Skill 4 – How To Decrease In Single Crochet

A single crochet decrease stitch is when you combine two single crochet stitches into one stitch, therefore you decrease the overall number of stitches in that row or round. There are a few different ways that you might see this written in patterns, as well as a few different ways that this stitch can be performed. My favorite method to use for this particular pattern is the invisible decrease, but let’s look at each of these ways so that you can decide which one you prefer.

Method 1 – Decreasing for Beginners

One way that you can decrease your stitches is to simply skip a stitch. To do this you would make a single crochet stitch in one stitch, then skip the next. This would serve the purpose of decreasing your overall number of crochet stitches.

Although this is the easiest way to decrease your crochet stitches, I would not recommend this method as it will leave holes in your crochet project. Plus the finished look is not visually appealing.

Method 2 – Decreasing with Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

The next way, which is the easiest and most common way is to decrease by making to single crochet stitches together. This stitch is commonly referred to as a single crochet decrease, or a single crochet 2 together (sc2tog).

To make this stitch, you would insert your hook into the first stitch indicated, yarn over, and pull up a loop, so that there are two loops on your crochet hook. Then, insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over, and pull up another loop. There are now three loops on your crochet hook. Yarn over one last time and pull the new loop through all three loops on your crochet hook to make a single crochet 2 together, or a basic single crochet decrease stitch.

Watch my YouTube video to show you how to make both a single crochet 2 together, and an invisible decrease to see how to make both of these stitches, so that you can decide which one you want to use.

Method 3 – Invisible Decrease

The last way to make a single crochet decrease stitch is to use the invisible decrease method. This is the best way to decrease your overall stitches. This is the best method to use because it serves the purpose of decreasing the overall number of stitches in that round, but it also isn’t as visible as the normal decrease or sc2tog stitch.

To make a single crochet invisible decrease you will insert your crochet hook, from the bottom up, into the first stitch, then insert it the same way, into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull the loop through both stitches on your hook to make a single crochet invisible decrease stitch.

Crochet Balls in Different Sizes

As you may have guessed, this crochet ball pattern can be made in many different sizes, from a teeny tiny ball to large balls. To make these different-sized balls, there are a few contributing factors. Let’s look at what these two main ways to change the size of a crochet ball are.

Two Ways to Change the Size of Crochet Balls

Number of Stitches

The number of stitches you make in the magic ring, when you create the first round is one of the primary factors that determine the size of your crochet ball. If you want the ball to be larger, then you can add more stitches, or for a smaller ball, add fewer stitches.

The number of stitches also can determine the size, not only by the initial number of stitches but by how many rounds you go out. Since the first third is made by adding stitches, the more rounds you go out, the more stitches will be added.

Type of Yarn Used

The kind of yarn that you use is another factor that will determine the finished size of your crochet balls. If you use a fine worsted weight yarn, then your ball will likely turn out much smaller. Whereas if you use a larger bulky yarn, your crochet ball will turn out much bigger.

Other Size Factors

Crochet stitch size
The crochet hook size used

Tiny Ball

To make a tiny crochet ball, you will want to use crochet thread and a very small crochet hook, depending on the size of the thread you use. Both of these factors will greatly decrease the size of your crochet ball. They play such a part in the finished size, that you can use the above pattern, and still have a tiny ball when you are done.

Small Balls

Round 1: Make a mr, ch 1, in the mr make 6 sc sts. Pull the magic loop tight, and join with a sl st. (6sts)

Round 2: ch 1, work sc inc in each st around. (12sts)

Round 3: (sc, sc inc) repeat around. (18sts)

Round 4: (sc, sc inc, sc) repeat around. (24sts)

Round 5: (3 sc, sc inc) repeat around. (30sts)

Round 6-11: sc in each stitch around. (30sts)

Round 12: (3 sc, inv dec) repeat around. (24sts)

Round 13: (sc, inv dec, sc) repeat around. (18sts)

Round 14: (sc, inv dec) repeat around. (12sts)

Round 15: work inv dec around. (6sts)

Round 16: close the ball by gathering the last stitches together, finish off, and weave in the ends of the yarn tail.

Medium Balls

The above pattern is a good pattern to follow for a medium-sized ball when you use a nice #4 or #5 medium-weight yarn, and a small to mid-sized crochet hook. I like to use a #4 medium-weight yarn from Hobby Lobby, and a 4.25 mm or size G crochet hook to make my medium-sized crochet balls.

Larger Balls

To make a larger crochet ball, you will want to increase the number of straight rounds, and I also like to increase my overall number of beginning stitches, as well as add a few increase rounds. Here is an example pattern for a larger crochet ball pattern.

Round 1: Make a mr, ch 1, in the mr make 7 sc sts. Pull the magic loop tight, and join with a sl st. (7sts)

Round 2: ch 1, work sc inc in each st around. (14sts)

Round 3: (sc, sc inc) repeat around. (21sts)

Round 4: (sc, sc inc, sc) repeat around. (28sts)

Round 5: (3 sc, sc inc) repeat around. (35sts)

Round 6: (2 sc, sc inc, 2 sc) repeat around. (42sts)

Round 7: (5 sc, sc inc) repeat around. (49sts)

Round 8-19: sc in each stitch around. (49sts)

Round 20: (5 sc, inv dec) repeat around. (42sts)

Round 21: (2 sc, sc inc, 2 sc) repeat around. (35sts)

Round 22: (3 sc, inv dec) repeat around. (28sts)

Round 13: (sc, inv dec, sc) repeat around. (21sts)

Round 14: (sc, inv dec) repeat around. (14sts)

Round 15: work inv dec around. (7sts)

Round 16: close the ball by gathering the last stitches together, finish off, and weave in the ends of the yarn tail.

Crochet Ball Variations – Make It Unique!

There are many different ways you can mix things up and make these crochet balls into your unique creation. Feel free to change the colors or add other unique elements to them to make them extra special.

Crochet Sphere

Using this crochet ball pattern, you can make your sphere pattern in different sizes and shapes. Feel free to adjust the pattern, by changing up the type of yarn you use, hook size, or number of stitches you make to change the outcome of your crochet sphere.

How to Crochet a Ball

Making a crochet ball is the perfect crochet project if you are just learning amigurumi or are looking for a fun and easy crochet project idea. No matter what size or how you intend to use your crochet balls, this easy pattern is a great place to begin! Now that you know how to make different sizes of crochet balls, it’s time for you to give it a try!

Helpful Tutorials and Guides

Video Tutorial

In addition to the step-by-step written instructions, I have also created a video tutorial for your reference.

Additional Learning Help

For those of you who are new to crocheting or are looking for some helpful guidance. Make sure to check out my complete tutorial to Learn How To Crochet!

More Crochet Patterns

If you love to crochet and want to make more projects now that you have gotten the hang of this crochet ball pattern for beginners, here are more free crochet pattern ideas, or amigurumi projects, make sure to check out my other FREE patterns, and tutorials! I have a lot of fun crochet project ideas, that I hope you will enjoy!

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More FREE Patterns!

Crochet Ball Pattern for Beginners

Materials

Yarn
Crochet Hook
Stitch Marker
Yarn Needle
Scissors