Large Crocheted Ball

I've made crocheted balls and hacky sacks in the past. They often come out more like cylinders.

I was asked to make a larger ball more the size of a softball. With this size the cylinder becomes more obvious!

Every pattern out there gives the regular circle increments when making a sphere, I knew there must be some way to add curve to the ends!

Well here's what I learned when making a larger ball...

Start with a circle of 6, I like a magic circle because you can close the hole in the middle very tight. Begin your circle as usual, first row 2 sc in every stitch, second row 1 sc, 2 sc and so on until you've come to row 4 or 5(this will depend on how big your ball will be, I was using thin yarn). After finishing row 4 or 5, next row will be 1 sc in every stitch. Next row continue expanding for your circle. Next row 1 sc in every stitch. Next row continue expanding for your circle.

Basically your last 2 expansion rows should have 1 sc rows between them. We now have roundness!

Important Equipment

 I completed our (my) project of the other day, see the below link:

http://karenmakesstuff.blogspot.com/2011/09/note-to-self-avoid-craft-store.html

 Gil is pleased.

He finished his handle with a poly stain and it looks great!

He also finished his knife pouch/cover.

 

Items the young man needs to be ready for anything!

Boy am I in trouble if he reads this post.

Note to Self Avoid the Craft Store

 I don't like taking Gil to the craft store with me. I used to go while he was at school. These are a couple things he picked up. Can you guess what he'd like meee to make?

He said he'd like this pattern in stripes. I hate changing colors!!! I personally grab the striping yarns and multi colors.

If you are having trouble guessing what I've been asked to make see the post below:

http://karenmakesstuff.blogspot.com/2010/12/crochet-in-round.html

I'll show you what I came up with when I get around to doing it.

Mind Your Materials

I've gotten away without making something for Gilbert for a while but he's noticed all the new materials laying around.

Soft pellets and different types of stuffing materials have caught his eye. He wants me to make him a t-shirt pillow with my extra fiber-fill. When is fiber-fill extra in a craft room? Oh and by the way, I will make him sit at the sewing machine and sew his own pillow!!!

I knew I'd share the soft pellets I ordered with him. He's always hoping for a new hacky sack. I'm not thrilled with the results I got with the soft pellets for my project though. I wanted them to put in the feet of my stuffed animals to add weight. They just felt bumpy and left a flex point where they sat next to the fiber-fill. If you have advice for me in this matter please let me know.

My new commission is coming along just fine. I'll post a picture later!

Crochet In the Round

Me and my son found the coolest fine mercerized cotton. His project for me was, make a hacky sack. Trust me, this is not my first attempt at making a sphere shape. I had a few failures and even asked someone for help but I think I'm getting the hang of it. This sack is half full of plastic pellets which is perfect for a hacky sack!