“Mine” Ball Pattern

CrazyCute Crochet and Design, crazycutecrochetanddesign.com

Ideas for using this ball:

This ball has a purpose beyond that of being a “ball.” It is a “Communication Accelerator.” One of my passions is good communication with my kids and grandkids, and this is intended to stimulate discussion.

There are several ways it can be used. First, it is a ball (obviously!), and because it is so light and soft, it doesn’t destroy anything when thrown in the house.  Second, it says “Mine.” When handed to someone, if you state, “Here, this is ‘mine’,” and they say something like, “It’s your’s?” you state, “No, it’s ‘mine!’” It can lead to some interesting discussions, until the other person realizes what you are saying!!

You can also use it as a communication tool to stimulate discussion by setting a, “No one talks but the person holding the ball,” rule.  One person decides the topic of discussion, and the ball gets passed from person to person, but only the person with the ball can talk.

Materials:

• Worsted weight yarn in 2 colors (1 should be a solid)

(I prefer Caron’s Simply Soft, because it makes a softer, more pliable ball)

• Hook, size E
• Stitch marker
• Fiber fill
• Yarn needle

Gauge: The gauge is not important for this pattern

Pattern is written in U.S. terms

Abbreviations for stitches used:

1. Magic Ring  (mr)
2. Single crochet (sc)
3. Slip stitch (sl st)
4. Chain (ch)
5. Increase  (inc): Put two sc into the same stitch
6. Decrease (dec): Crochet two single crochet stitches together. (Should result in one stitch)
7. (  )  Number of total stitches at the end of each round
8. Color A, Color B (ca), (cb): Color A will be the color you have at the top and bottom of the ball, Color B will be the solid color in the middle.

Notes:

*Chain 1 at the end of each round is counted as the first sc for the next round

*Also, the ball can be done in a continuous round, using a stitch marker to keep track of the beginning of the round, but I am ending and starting each round separately.

Pattern:   Start with ca.

Round 1: mr, sc 6, sl st into the first sc (6 sts)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc, sl st into the first sc. Sl st into first sc in round, ch 1   (12 sts)

Round 3: 2 sc in second sc (1sc, 2 in next st) around. Sl st into first sc in round, ch 1  (18 sts)

Round 4: 1 sc in second sc, 2 sc in next, (2 sc, inc) around. Sl st into first sc in round, ch 1  (24 sts)

Round 5: 1 sc in second and 3^rd sc, 2 sc in next (3 sc, inc) around. Sl st into first sc in round, ch 1    (30 sts)

Round 6: 1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next (4 sc, inc) around. Sl st into first sc in round, ch 1 (36 sts)

Round 7: 1 sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next (5 sc, inc) around. Sl st into first sc in round, ch 1 (42 sts)

Round 8: sc around in same color, but change on last stitch to solid color. (42 sts)

Rounds 9-16: sc (42 sts around)

Round 16: on last st, connect ca to cb (reconnect original color)

Round 17: (sc 5, dec) around, sl st into the first sc in round, ch 1 (36 sts)

Round 18: sc around (36 sts)

*If you want, embroider MINE on the ball at this point. It is easier to hide the ends when you are done.

Round 19: (sc 4, dec) around, sl st into first sc in round, ch 1 (30 sts)

Round 20: (sc 3, dec) around, sl st into first sc in round, ch 1 (24 sts)

*Start stuffing the ball.

Round 21: (sc 2, dec) around, sl st into first sc in round, ch 1 (18 sts)

Finish or add more stuffing to ball

Round 22: (sc 1, dec) around, sl st into first sc in round, ch 1 (12 sts)

Round 23: dec around, close opening

For Embroidery:

The word “MINE” is embroidered on the solid middle of the ball.

Mine is usually done free hand (you can probably tell), but pictures of my “Mine” are included to help with placement. I recommend NOT using the Simply Soft yarn, it splits and doesn’t look so good when lettering.  I do prefer using a yarn, rather than embroidery thread, because it is thicker.  During embroidering, I used the yarn as sort of a “plumb” line. It helped guide where I would insert the needle to keep the letters straight.

Don’t make the stitches too long, it could make it easier for them to
catch on things.

The finished product!  Have fun with it!