Little Balls

I've been hooking up some Little Balls this week, and enjoying myself immensely. It's just the sort of quick, fun type of creativity that I love, especially at this time of year when there is added festive excitement to my makes.



The Little Balls are destined to become part of my crazy festive wreath, and I've become rather ridiculously over-excited by them. They are just so cute! I'm planning on stitching them in clusters of three, a bit like oversized berries, and the mere thought of it keeps making me smile like a loon.



I've had plenty of help with my Little Ball production here in the Attic. My trusty Chief Assistant has been on hand to perform his usual quality control checks on my yarns, as well as doing a bit of sampling himself. Oh, and photography too, yes, he is very keen on Product Photography. Actually, he has been a joy, and we've spent some wonderful, companionable afternoons sitting at the table being creative together. Me exclaiming over the impossible cuteness of my Little Balls, him chattering about his pen colours and what he is drawing (A beautiful piece entitled "Footprints in the Snow, with Orange, Green and Blue")



I love using these bowls to store my little itty bits of crochet, buttons and beads in. They are old Cath Kidston, bought for pence when a local shop had a clear out sale a few years ago, and I have four of them.



So. Little Balls.....I did start trying to make a photographic tutorial for them, but the light disappeared before I had chance to finish. They are very easy and straightforward though, so I thought I might just write out the pattern in case you feel compelled to fill your life with them (they would make a terrific garland don't you think?).

They are worked in Double Crochet (that's Single Crochet if you're in the US) in amigurumi style, ie the rounds are worked in a spiral as opposed to distinct start/stop rounds. Usually it's necessary to use a row marker when you work in this way, but as these balls are so little, I found I can do it just by counting. And shhhhhhhhhhhh-ing anyone who tries to talk to me while I'm counting.

To begin, chain 2. The first round is worked out of the first chain.

Round 1 :: work 6 dc into the first chain (count 6!)

Round 2 :: work 2dc into each dc of the first round (count 12!)

Rounds 3, 4 & 5 :: work 1 dc into each dc of the previous round, ie three rounds of 12 stitches (count 36! Keep counting! Shhhh anyone who tries to interrupt!)

At this point, your Little Ball should resemble a miniature beanie hat that sits on the end of your finger. This is where the Cute sets in.

Now STUFF!! Get a small bobble of toy stuffing or a blob of cotton wool and stuff it into your Little Ball. It will misbehave, it will try to escape. Use the end of your hook (the non hooky end) to push it into place. Be firm.

Round 6 :: (skip 1 stitch, dc into next stitch) 6 times. In other words, work 1 dc into every alternate stitch around. Watch your tension, keep your stitches nice and tight and you should find that the crochet gathers in nicely around the stuffing to leave a very small hole. Make a couple of slip stitches to close the hole completely, and finish off.

Now go forth and make loads more! The cuteness factor really kicks in when you have a whole gathering of Little Balls in a dinky little china bowl.

I finally finished the wreath last night (by that I mean the stripy cover is in place) so I can now begin to decorate it with all manor of woolly, sparkly goodness.

I am pretty darn excited about this whole wreath making thing, can you tell?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 Edit to add :: for all these decs I'm using a 3.5mm hook with a fine dk weight merino wool. Most of the yarn is Rico Essentials Merino, but there is also some Lang Superfine Merino (the turquoise) and some snippets of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (the bright green and the red) x

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Gail]

Wow, first comment!? Really nice to have a morning post, as it's too dark to do anything but flick through t'interweb at the moment.

Looking forward to the wreath!

:)

[Louisa Sargent]

Oooh the little balls are indeed very cute! Gonna have a go later!!

[Val]

Really looking forward to seeing the finished article!!Have fun, Val x

[Ada Bea]

There are really cute! I can't yet crochet but you are giving me lots of inspiration for when I can! :)

[bloepper]

YOU'RE excited?? IIII'M excited!

[Line]

So colourful, so Xmassy, so well done8 I can't wait!

[lee]

can't wait to see what you've done-- no doubt, it'll be beautiful! :)

[Alessandra]

Your colourful is so beautiful Lucy!!! you cheer me up all the times I visit you and your cosy world!!
happy weekend, xxx Alessandra

[Helen Mascall]

Hohhot, very cute. I am hooking up little robins and stockings today, maybe could incorporate tiny balls somewhere too. Xxx

[Nanita]

Now comes the fun part of decorating! I am not even making a wreath, but I feel the excitement and I'm cheering you on! :-) xxxx

[Lisa]

Cannot wait to see it! Im not going to have the chance to make a xmassy wreath this year, too much other stuff to do, but Im now thinking of making a similar wreath to put up in my daughters bedroom? Who says they just have to be for xmas?? :-) xx

[Katy]

This is amazing! I wish I had the time to make something like that ^^
How is the tutorial for the birdies coming along? I am really keen to make some after seeing all the beautiful ones you posted a while ago! x

[Chel]

Wow! More ideas for me to make. I've just started my stripy scarf for the wreath and thinking about all the things to adorn it. These little balls are fantastic and will be so quick to make. Thank you. xx

[Delphine]

Well...Can't wait to see...Quick, quick, let us see, Lucy. Oh by the way, my sister, who doesn't know anything about you & your creativity (she doesn't crochet, poor soul ;o))had a baby girl she named... Lucie (we're French, hence the "ie" at the end)
Have a wonderful Xmas season with your loved ones

[Sara Jenkins]

Looks fun. Looking forward to the Ta-Dah moment. X

[Louise]

I've been working on your Snowflakes most evening at the moment, after a few false starts I got the hang of it and I'm gradually building up a blizzard of snowflakes, the idea is to hang from from some shelves as xmas decs (unfortunatly there are loads of shelves) although the stars you put up the other day are also calling to me along with these balls! Stop inspiring me, its confusing me and I'm running out of time!!!!!!!!

[Kerry]

Hi Lucy,

These look absolutely gorgeous! Can't wait to see the final 'ta-dah' post.

What yarn are you using to crochet these up? I love the lovely bright colours.

xKx

[Abigail @ Rosyhill]

Oh these are incredibly cute! This wreath is going to look amazing! Abigail x

[Lynda M O]

I love making little stuffed toys for the kids to toss around and sit on. The fun is indeed in the crafting and then in the joy of seeing them sitting cheerfully about the home making bright spots of color every where to chase away the darkness that sets in this time of year.

[Miriam]

I'm so excited. I am going on a crochet for beginners class in the new year and just can't wait to get started! I love your use of bright colours, they just look amazing! Also, I have become rather addicted to wreath making - also thanks to a class I attended with the lovely Claire from Beautiful Things by Claire Mackaness who is running the crochet course - so the combination of crochet and a wreath is just bliss! Can't wait to see your finished product!

[Jean]

Oh brilliant. The balls look great. Your enthusiasm had me there with you. I must go sort out my little bits of yarn. I always new that such short pieces would come in useful some day!

[Candace]

Those are beyond cute!

[reyhaneh]

hi Lucy
your little balls are really cute and i'll make mine so soon.

[Marleen]

Hi Lucy, I'm buzzy making the wreath in my own colours. I want to make leafs and berry's to decorate it. Lovely to do. Thank you for the idea. Merry Christmas.
greetings from Holland, Marleen

[Jackie]

Lovely! Looking forward to seeing the finished wreath in all it's hooky glory :O)xx