I’m happy to join in the seventh annual Softie Crochet Along with CAL Central Crochet. The adorable Yarn Ball Pals is a crochet sphere pattern that is perfect for using up scrap yarns. The pattern even includes a little storage basket.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Materials for the sample were generously provided by Lion Brand and Fairfield World.
For this year’s Softie Crochet Along, I wanted to make something cute that could also use up yarn scraps. I had leftover Lion Brand Scarfie from the Convertible Hooded (Infinity) Scarf and leftover Lion Brand Heartland from the Emilio Scarf. I thought for a while about a design that could use both bulky and medium weight yarn in small amounts.
One of the essential skills used in most amigurumi and crochet softies worked in the round is starting with a crochet sphere pattern, and that is how the idea for the Yarn Ball Pals was born. Once you start crocheting them, you may not be able to stop. And, once they begin to proliferate…
… you’ll need a way to safely contain them. And, that’s where the idea for the Basket was born.
Scroll down for free Yarn Ball Pals (with Basket) pattern. The Yarn Ball Pals (with Basket) pattern is part of the seventh annual Softie Crochet Along! To join the Softie Crochet Along:
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- By the end of the CAL, you’ll have up to 15 awesome softies to cuddle with!
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Yarn Ball Pals (with Basket)
Crochet Sphere Pattern by Underground Crafter
This crochet sphere pattern is perfect for using up scrap yarn while making you smile! The adorable Yarn Ball Pals pattern includes a storage basket to keep them together. This pattern was designed as part of the seventh annual Softie Crochet Along with CAL Central Crochet.
Finished Sizes
- Yarn Ball Pals: Approximately 1.5” (4 cm) diameter after stuffing.
- Basket: 3” (7.5 cm) diameter x 1.75” (4.5 cm) height.
Materials to Make 8 Yarn Ball Pals and Basket
- Lion Brand Scarfie (78% acrylic/22% wool, 5.3 oz/150 g, 312 yd/285 m) – 1 skein in 252C Blue/Cream (CA), or approximately 80 yd (73 m) in CA in any bulky weight yarn.
- Scarfie is available online from Lion Brand | LoveCrafts | JOANN | Amazon
- Lion Brand Heartland (100% acrylic, 5 oz/142 g, 251 yd/230 m) – 1 skein in 125P Mammoth Cave (CB), or approximately 45 yd (41 m) in CB in any medium weight yarn.
- Heartland is available online from Lion Brand | LoveCrafts | WeCrochet | JOANN
- US Size G-4.25 mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Yarn needle.
- Locking stitch marker.
- Fairfield Poly-Fil Premium Polyester Fiber Fill.
- Safety eyes – 5-8 pairs. I used 8mm oval kawaii eyes and 6mm round safety eyes from the MUCUNNIA 528-piece set.
Gauge
- Through Rnd 3 in Yarn Ball Pals pattern = 1.5” (4 cm) diameter. Exact gauge is not critical for this pattern. Stitches should be small so fiber filling doesn’t show.
- Through Rnd 7 in Basket Base pattern = 3” (7.5 cm) diameter. Exact gauge is not critical for this pattern.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
- CA – Color A
- CB – Color B
- ch – chain
- invdec – invisible decrease – Insert hook in front loop only of each of next 2 sts, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops. Planet June has helpful photo and video tutorials for the invisible decrease here.
- If you can’t see the video tutorial above demonstrating the FPdc, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
- pm – place stitch marker
- Rnd(s) – Round(s)
- sc – single crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- yo – yarn over
- [] Repeat stitches between brackets as indicated.
Pattern Notes
- Use a bulky yarn for the Yarn Ball Pals and a medium weight yarn for the Basket and maintain hook size throughout your project. I used a self-striping bulky yarn to add color.
- Oombawka Design has a helpful video tutorial for starting with the magic adjustable ring here.
- A helpful photo tutorial for seaming with the whipstitch is available here.
Pattern Instructions
Yarn Ball Pals – Safety Eyes Version
- With CA (bulky yarn), start with magic adjustable ring (see Pattern Notes).
- Rnd 1: (Right Side) Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, pull yarn tightly to close ring, pm in last st to mark position. Move marker up each Rnd. (6 sts)
- Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
- Rnd 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] around. (18 sts)
- With yarn needle, weave in yarn tail on inside.
- Rnd 4: Sc in each st around.
- Rnd 5: [Invdec, sc in next st] around. (12 sts)
- Rnd 6: Invdec around, fasten off CA with long yarn tail (approximately 12”/30.5 cm) for seaming. Remove marker.
- Position safety eyes on Rnd 5 (round below to final decrease round). When satisfied with positions, secure by attaching washers firmly inside.
- Stuff thoroughly with fiber filling.
- Thread yarn needle with long yarn tail in CA. Seam final round closed with whipstitch (see Pattern Notes). Weave in yarn tail on inside of Yarn Ball Pal.
Yarn Ball Pals – Wound Ball Version
- Repeat as for Yarn Ball Pals – Safety Eyes Version through Rnd 5.
- Rnd 6: Invdec around, fasten off CA with long yarn tail (approximately 1 yd/1 m) for seaming. Remove marker.
- Thread yarn needle with long yarn tail in CA. Seam final round closed with whipstitch (see Pattern Notes). Remove yarn needle from long yarn tail.
- Wind the yarn around the sphere, wrapping it 3 times in one direction, then pivoting sphere and wrapping 3 times in another direction. Continue until remaining yarn tail is approximately 8” (20.5 cm). Thread yarn needle with yarn tail and weave in yarn tail on inside of Yarn Ball Pal to secure.
Basket
Base
- With CB (medium weight yarn), repeat as for Yarn Ball Pals – Safety Eyes Version through Rnd 3.
- Rnd 4: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] around. (24 sts)
- Rnd 5: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts] around. (30 sts)
- Rnd 6: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts] around. (36 sts)
- Rnd 7: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts] around. (42 sts)
- Basket Base should be approximately the size of two Yarn Ball Pals as shown in photo below. (To make a larger Basket Base, continue increasing by 6 sts each Rnd until desired size is reached. If you increase the size of your Basket Base, you will need to adjust the pattern below for the Basket Outer Edge by starting with the same number of ch as sts in the final Rnd of your Basket Base, + 1 ch.)
- Rnd 8: Sc in each st around. Fasten off CB. Remove marker.
Outer Edge
- With CB (medium weight yarn) and starting with a long yarn tail (approximately 18”/46 cm) for seaming, ch 43.
- Row 1: Turn, skip 1 ch, sc in next 42 ch. (42 sts)
- Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and each st across.
- Rows 3-8: Repeat Row 2, 6 times.
- Basket Outer Edge should be taller than a Yarn Ball Pal as shown in photo below. (To make a larger Basket Outer Edge, continue repeating Row 2 until desired size is reached.)
- Fasten off CB.
Basket Assembly and Finishing
- Thread yarn needle with long yarn tail in CB from start of Basket Outer Edge. Position Basket Base with Right Side facing down and line up stitches on Basket Outer Edge with stitches on Basket Base as shown in the photo below.
- Seam the Basket Base to the Basket Outer Edge using the whipstitch (see Pattern Notes).
- With yarn needle, weave in remaining yarn tails on inside of Basket.
Cute gift for any yarn artist.
Just adorable!