Crochet Balls of Any Size With This Simple Ratio

Whether you use them as tiny Christmas ornaments, giant poufs or anything in between, crocheting balls is fun. And the best part is, once you’ve crocheted one size, you can figure out how to crochet any size ball with a little help from a simple formula.

The half-double crochet stitch is the star of this show: it allows you to apply a basic ratio of 1:1 to the increase and decrease rounds (which shape the curves at the top and the bottom of the ball), and the ‘straight’ rounds (which form the fat center of the ball).

Let’s look at the general formula together, then walk through a specific example for making a tiny ball.

Crochet Ball Formula

What You Need:

• Crochet hook (use one hook size smaller than the size suggested on the yarn label)
• Yarn (the weight you choose will affect the size of your balls)
• Yarn needle
• Stuffing

Pro Tip:

Using a smaller hook will create smaller holes in your work, which means your stuffing won’t poke out!

Abbreviations:

• Ch – Chain
• Hdc – Half-double crochet
• Hdc2tog – Half-double crochet two together (half-double crochet decrease)
• Rnd – Round
• Sc – Single crochet
• St – Stitch() – The total number of stitches you should have in the finished round
• * – Repeat instructions between parentheses the number of times specified

Instructions

Closed Start

Each ball starts with 7 sc made into a magic ring.

Increase Rounds

The rest of the curve is then made in half-double crochet, with 7 increases in each round.

Increase by 7 hdc in each round until you reach the circumference you require. Count your rounds!

Straight Rounds

Next you’re going to work rounds straight (hdc in each stitch without any increases). The number of straight rounds you work depends on the number of increase rounds you worked. It’s a 1:1 ratio, so if you made 10 increase rounds, you will need to make 10 straight rounds.

Decrease Rounds

To form the top curve to close the ball, decrease by 7 stitches in each round until you have 7 stitches left, stuffing as you go.

Hdc2tog 3 times, leaving the remaining stitch unworked.

Finishing

Fasten off, leaving a 4″ (10 cm) tail of yarn. Use a yarn needle and the end tail of yarn to close the hole formed by the last 4 stitches. Make sure that your ball is well stuffed before closing it completely. Work away your tails of yarn.

Smallest Ball Pattern:

The smallet version of this pattern has just two increase rounds (the stitches worked into your magic loop count as an increase round!), two straight rounds, and two decrease rounds.

Rnd 1: Create a magic ring, then ch 1, 7 sc into the ring. (7)

Rnd 2: Make 2 hdc in each st around. (14)

Rnds 3 – 4: Hdc in each stitch. (14)

This is a good time to start stuffing your ball.

Rnd 5: Hdc2tog 7 times. (7)

Continue stuffing as you work.

Rnd 6: Hdc2tog 3 times. (4)

Leave the remaining stitch unworked and skip to the Finishing section in the generic pattern above.