FreshStitches afresh approachtocrochet
8 ball designed by: Stacey Trock Height: 2 inches Created: May, 2009 For detailed instructions, articles and more patterns, visit: www.freshstitches.com
Abbreviations
Materials
ch: chain sc: single crochet sc2tog: single crochet 2 together st: stitch Size H crochet hook tapestry needle a small handful of stuffing
Yarn
For the yarn, I use $100\%$ wool worsted weight (Ella Rae is the brand used in the sample). However, any worsted weight yarn is fine (including acrylics such as Red Heart). MC- Black (Ella Rae Classic color #32) SC- White (Ella Rae Classic color $\#01_{\cdot}$
Directions
Stitch into the back
All stitches in the round are into the back loop, unless otherwise directed. Look at picture (a), and see how the arrow points to the back loop? You will stitch into this loop, as pictured in (b). Stitching into the back loop creates ridges on the right side of the piece. For rows, you will stitch into the front loop, unless otherwise directed. You can stitch into both loops if you desire, but this will change the look of the final product.
Starting out: the sloppy slip knot
Most pieces in this pattern (as they are based on circles) begin with stitching six times into one loop. We recommend the 'slopply slip knot' to avoid creating a hole in the center (a). To do this, twist the yarn around the hook to begin, and crochet as directed. Once you have completed your first round, pull on the tail, while holding the loop you have created (b). The loop will end up tighter, as pictured in (c).
Color Changes
This pattern calls for switching from one color to another, but there is a trick to doing it so the change in color is very clean. Stitch up to 2 stiches before you are supposed to change colors (we are demonstrating here with the single crochet). In the next stitch (the last one of your current color), do not pull the final loop through, leaving as pictured in (a). Instead, loop the new color around your needle (b), and pull the loop through (c). Now, just stitch as normal. This technique leaves you with a clean color change, as shown in (d).
Embroidering on details
In this pattern, you will be instructed to embroider on some details. To do this, thread the tapestry needle with a length of yarn (about a foot or two). Tie the two ends of the yarn together with a knot, as pictured in (a). Pull the needle through the back of the work (so that the knot is anchored), as in (b). Then, stitch according to the desired pattern, as shown in (c). When done, tie off!
The Pattern
With SC, ch 2 Row 1: sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook (6) Row 2: sc twice in each st (12) Row 3: With MC, \* sc twice in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (18) Row 4: \* sc twice in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (24) Row 5: \* sc twice in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (30) Row 6: sc in each st (30) Rows 7-10: repeat row 6 At this point, embroider the the number $\acute{\mathbf{\xi}}8\acute{\mathbf{\zeta}}$ onto the white circle. Row 11: \* sc2tog, sc in each of next 3 sts. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (24) Row 12: \* sc2tog, sc in each of next 2 sts. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (18) At this point, stuff the ball Row 13: \* sc2tog, sc in next st. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (12) Row 14: \* sc2tog. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (6) Row 15: sc tog next and third sts (1) Fasten Off.
Congrats! You now have an awesome 8 ball!
