Crochet Ball Pattern

My father-in-law knows how to juggle. It seems like juggling as a hidden talent is dying out. How many young people in your life know how to juggle? Anyway... per his request, I crocheted Buddy some hacky sacks to help him out with his juggling practice. I didn't feel like following someone else's pattern this time and whipped up my own instead. Balls made from this pattern could be used for a variety of things: juggling, playing hacky sack, tossing games, etc.

I used about one and a half skeins of Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton to create the set. Since Kitchen Cotton calls for a 5mm hook on the label, I used a 4mm hook to make the balls extra tight. It hurt my hands a little to crochet with cotton so tightly, but it was worth it. The fabric is very stiff and the beans inside do not show through. Here's what I did...

Start with magic circle.
Round 1: Work 6 sc into the ring. Sl st into first st to join. Pull ring closed tightly. (6)
Round 2: Ch 1, do not turn. Work 2 sc into each st around. Sl st into first st to join. (12)
Round 3: Ch 1, do not turn. *Work 1 sc in first st and 2 sc in next*, rep around. Sl st in first to join. (18)
Round 4: Ch 1, do not turn. *Work 1 sc into each of the first 2 sts, work 2 sc in next*, rep around. Sl st in first to join. (24)
Round 5: Ch 1, do not turn. *Work 1 sc into each of the first 3 sts, work 2 sc in next*, rep around. Sl st in first to join. (30)
Round 6: Ch 1, do not turn. *Work 1 sc into each of the first 4 sts, work 2 sc in next*, rep around. Sl st in first to join. (36)
Round 7: Ch 1, do not turn. Work 1 sc into each st around. Sl st in first to join. (36)
Rounds 8 through 12: Rep Round 7.
Round 13: Ch 1, do not turn. *Work 1 sc into each of the first 4 sts, work 1 dec*, rep around. Sl st in first to join. (30)
Round 14: Ch 1, do not turn. *Work 1 sc into each of the first 3 sts, work 1 dec*, rep around. Sl st in first to join. (24)
Round 15: Ch 1, do not turn. *Work 1 sc into each of the first 2 sts, work 1 dec*, rep around. Sl st in first to join. (18)
Round 16: Ch 1, do not turn. *Work 1 sc in first st, work 1 dec*, rep around. Sl st in first to join. (12)
Fill the bag with dry beans. I used dry pinto beans. You can fill it as little or as much as you desire. I filled mine just until the beans were touching the top of the inside of the bag, a little over 3/4.
Round 17: Ch 1, do not turn. Work 6 dec. Sl st in first to join. (6).
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. With a yarn needle, weave in and out of the stitches of Round 17 all of the way around. Pull tightly to close the ball. Weave in the end securely.

If you decide to try it, let me know how this simple ball pattern works out for you!