Free crochet pattern
Soft striped crochet ball for babies
This soft baby ball is worked in continuous single crochet rounds of cotton yarn, changing colour every two rounds for bold stripes that babies can grip and track. It is about 3.75 inches across, stuffed firmly, and can hold a sealed rattle insert. There are no small parts to come loose.
By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Updated · Editorial policy · pattern testing in progress
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Skill level | Easy |
| Yarn weight | Medium (#4) |
| Yardage | 50–70 yd (46–64 m) |
| Hook | 3.5 mm |
| Gauge | Rounds 1–6 measure 3.5 in (9 cm) across. |
| Finished size | About 3.75 in (9.5 cm) diameter |
| Time | about 1.5 hours |
Materials
- Worsted weight (#4) 100% cotton yarn in two or three colours, about 60 yd / 55 m total
- 3.5 mm (US E-4) crochet hook
- Polyester fibrefill; optional sealed plastic rattle insert
- Stitch marker, tapestry needle
Yarn Kit & Substitution Options
This pattern calls for 70 yards of weight #4 yarn. Select a suggested yarn to see required skeins and estimated cost:
Caron Simply Soft · 100% Acrylic
315 yds per skein · High-yield yardage, silky no-scratch texture
1 skeins required
approx. $$5.49 total
Abbreviations (US terms)
- magic ring
- single crochet
- increase
- decrease
- stitch
- stitches
- repeat
- round
- place marker
- fasten off
Notes before you start
- Work in a continuous spiral. Change colour on the last yarn over of the final stitch of every even round.
- Carry unused colours up the inside rather than cutting, to reduce ends near a baby's mouth.
Row progress: 0 of 14 done (0%)
Ball
0 of 14 done- Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6)Mark row complete
- Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)Mark row complete
- Rnd 3: *Sc in next st, inc; rep from * around. (18)Mark row complete
- Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sts, inc; rep from * around. (24)Mark row complete
- Rnd 5: *Sc in next 3 sts, inc; rep from * around. (30)Mark row complete
- Rnd 6: *Sc in next 4 sts, inc; rep from * around. (36)Mark row complete
- Rnds 7–12: Sc in each st around. (36)Mark row complete
- Rnd 13: *Sc in next 4 sts, dec; rep from * around. (30)Mark row complete
- Rnd 14: *Sc in next 3 sts, dec; rep from * around. (24)Mark row complete
- Rnd 15: *Sc in next 2 sts, dec; rep from * around. (18)Mark row complete
- Stuff firmly, placing the rattle insert in the centre if using.Mark row complete
- Rnd 16: *Sc in next st, dec; rep from * around. (12)Mark row complete
- Rnd 17: Dec around. (6)Mark row complete
- Fasten off, thread the tail through the front loops of the last 6 sts, pull closed and knot.Mark row complete
Working on:
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6)
Finishing
- Bury the tail deep inside the ball.
- Check every join by tugging firmly before giving the toy to a baby.
Errata
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Frequently asked questions
Is a crochet ball safe for a baby?
Use tight stitches, cotton yarn and no buttons, beads or safety eyes. Only use rattle inserts sold as sealed for toys, and inspect the ball regularly for wear.
Can I wash it?
Cotton balls can be hand-washed or put in a laundry bag on a gentle cycle. Rattle inserts should be removed first if the ball is unpicked, so hand-washing is simpler.
