Soft Stuffed Baby Ball
A tight sc sphere, stuffed firm. It teaches the amigurumi basics: spiral rounds, even increases and invisible decreases.
- Yarn
- Worsted (4) cotton or acrylic in 1–3 colours.
- Hook
- E-4 (3.5 mm): smaller than usual so stuffing doesn’t show
- Sizes
- 4 in (10 cm) across; any size from the same maths
- Example gauge
- 20 sts and 20 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in tight sc
- Yarn needed
- About 60 yd (55 m) worsted.
- Stitch multiple
- 6
US terms. The UK name follows in brackets the first time each stitch appears. Turning chains don’t count as stitches unless a step says so. See US vs UK crochet terms and crochet abbreviations.
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Widest round | diameter × 3.14 × sts per in, to a multiple of 6 | 4 × 3.14 × 5 = 62.8 → 60 (k = 10) | By hand |
| Increase rounds | k | 10 | By hand |
| Even rounds | k + 1 | 11 | By hand |
| Decrease rounds | k − 1 | 9 (60 → 6) | By hand |
Materials
- Worsted (4) yarn (see yarn needed)
- E-4 (3.5 mm): smaller than usual so stuffing doesn’t show
- Stitch marker
- Polyester fibrefill
- Tapestry needle
Gauge swatch
Work the first 6 rounds. The circle should be flat and about 2.4 in across.
Instructions
Increase
Work in a spiral; move the marker up each round.
Rnd 1: 6 sc (UK dc) in a magic ring. Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (12).
Rnd n: *Sc in next (n − 2) sts, 2 sc in next; rep from * around (6 times in all) (6 × n). Continue to the widest round (example: rnd 10, 60 sts).
Even
Sc in each st for the even rounds (example: 11).
Decrease
Dec rnd: *Sc in next (k − 2) sts, sc2tog (UK dc2tog); rep from * around (6 times in all). Each round, work 1 fewer sc before each sc2tog.
Stuff firmly when the opening is about 1.5 in across. Continue to 6 sts.
Finishing
- Thread the tail through the front loops of the last 6 sts and pull tight. Weave the tail deep inside.
- Tug the ball into shape.
Designer’s notes
- Invisible decrease: insert into the front loop of the next 2 sts, yo, pull through both, yo, pull through 2.
- Safety: no beads, bells or safety eyes on toys for babies under 3; embroider any faces.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: round number (1 to 30).
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Tools for this pattern
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.