Get ready to have fun in the sun with this great stuffed beach ball! This beach ball measures about 4 inches tall when completed with worsted weight yarn – the perfect size for lots of different amigurumi softies. 🙂
To complete this pattern, you will need. . .
- 7 colors of worsted weight yarn (assign each a number, C1, C2, C3, etc.)
- size H (5 mm) crochet hook – or size needed to get a good tight fabric with your chosen yarn
- polyester stuffing
The skills you’ll need for just about any amigurumi are. . .
-
- How to Read a Crochet Pattern
- Starting with a Sloppy Slip Knot
- How to Chain
- How to Single Crochet
- Single Crochet Increase
- Single Crochet Decrease
- How to Use a Stitch Marker
- How to Change Colors Cleanly This is a TERRIFIC pattern for practicing color changes!
You can go through all those posts now, or just hop to them as you get to those points in the pattern – whatever works best for you!
Yarn
This pattern can be used with any weight yarn! Just use the hook recommended on the ball band, and adjust as needed (see ‘gauge notes’ below). For a bigger, human-sized beach ball, try a bulky weight yarn! Just keep in mind that you’ll use more yardage than recommended. The sample is crocheted in worsted weight yarn, and all yardage/hook recommendations are calculated based on the sample.
Materials
- Size H crochet hook (or size needed to get a tight fabric)
- 7 colors of worsted weight yarn (fewer if you’d like to repeat colors)
- a couple of handfuls of stuffing
Gauge Notes
This pattern doesn’t specify a gauge. It’s a stuffed ball, and you don’t need to be too picky about exact sizing. 🙂 The most important thing is that you use a hook size that creates a nice looking fabric for your yarn. If you use the recommended hook size, and your fabric looks very loose (so that stuffing would show through), then you will want to use a smaller hook. Other than that, no measuring required!
In case you’re curious about getting the exact gauge Stacey does, it’s 5 rounds=2 inches.
Stitch into the Back
All stitches in this pattern are worked through the back loop only. Look at this picture.
See how one loop is highlighted in black? This is the back loop, and it’s what you’ll stitch into. Stitching into the back loop creates ridges on the right side of the piece.
Want to see crocheting through the back loop in action? Check out this blog post. It talks all about why Stacey crochets through the back loop and even has a handy dandy video showing how to find that loop. 🙂
Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together
- st(s): stitch(es)
Ready? Let’s jump in!
The Pattern
With C1, ch 2 (I like to start with a sloppy slip knot. This video shows how. And this video shows how to chain.)
Round 1 sc 6 in 2nd ch from hook (6) This post will help you find that second chain from the hook.
Round 2 sc twice in each st (12) This video will help you if you find it tricky to start the second round.
Round 3 [sc twice in next st, sc in next st.] 6 times (18) This video shows how to increase with single crochet.
Round 4 With C2 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 2 sts.] 6 times, each time using a different color C2-C7 (24) This video will help make those color changes cleanly.
Round 5 With C2 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 3 sts.] 6 times, each time using a different color C2-C7 (30)
Round 6 With C2 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 4 sts.] 6 times, each time using a different color C2-C7 (36)
Round 7 With C2 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 5 sts.] 6 times, each time using a different color C2-C7 (42)
Round 8 With C2 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 6 sts.] 6 times, each time using a different color C2-C7 (48)
Round 9 With C2 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 7 sts.] 6 times, each time using a different color C2-C7 (54)
Round 10 With C2 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 8 sts.] 6 times, each time using a different color C2-C7 (60)
Round 11-20 With C2, sc in next 10 sts. With C3, sc in next 10 sts. With C4, sc in next 10 sts. With C5, sc in next 10 sts. With C6, sc in next 10 sts. With C7, sc in next 10 sts. (60, 10 rounds)
Round 21 With C2 [sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts.] 6 times, each time using a different color C2-C7 (54) This video will show you how to decrease with single crochet – that’s what that sc2tog is.
Round 22 With C2 [sc2tog, sc in next 7 sts.] 6 times, each time using a different color C2-C7 (48)
Round 23 With C2 [sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts.] 6 times, each time using a different color C2-C7 (42)
Round 24 With C2 [sc2tog, sc in next 5 sts.] 6 times, each time using a different color C2-C7 (36)
Round 25 With C2 [sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts.] 6 times, each time using a different color C2-C7 (30)
Round 26 With C2 [sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts.] 6 times, each time using a different color C2-C7 (24)
Round 27 With C1 [sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts.] 6 times (18)
Stuff the ball.This post has tips for stuffing amigurumi (it’s a little different from sewn softies), and this video has some terrific help for closing up those last few rounds.
Round 28 With C1 [sc2tog, sc in next st] 6 times (12)
Round 29 With C1 [sc2tog] 6 times (18)
Use the drawstring method to close up that opening.
Ta da! You have a finished little beachball!
Aren’t you proud? You should be!
Snap a photo and share it with us over in the Shiny Happy People group! If you share it on social media, tag with with #shinyhappyworld so I can see it. 🙂
Want to make something else now? You can find some more free crochet patterns here. Shop for even more crochet patterns here.
Happy stitching!
Best,
Wendi