Tetherball; boxing ball; kicking ball; punching bag; kick-boxing ball; ball-in-a-sock: it matters not what your child calls it. Just know that you as a parent will refer to it in your mind as the “magic ball.” The magic ball that burns all the extra energy before bedtime, and then some. The added bonus for you? Making one is super easy and quite relaxing with my free boxing ball crochet pattern, and it gives you a unique opportunity to bring your crochet creation outside. I think we need more outdoor crochet projects, don’t you?
This was truly one of those “real life crochet” projects I never planned to share with anyone. My husband had a basket ball that had a barely-noticeable lump. Other than not being able to play basketball with it (duh!) it appeared perfectly fine to me and I refused to throw it away.
Despite my best intentions, though, I had no idea how to repurpose the basket ball. Not until I saw an old picture of a DIY sock ball. That was my light bulb moment. From that moment on, my mission was clear.
Knowing that the top half would be worked the same way as the bottom except instead of increases I’d work decreases, I kept notes as I went.
Since hanging the boxing ball on our cherry tree, it has brought energy-relief to more than one child in our neighborhood, and quite a few likes to my Instagram post. So, why not spread that joy further by sharing my notes in the form of a super simple and straighforward crochet pattern for the boxing ball with you as well?
You’ll need these materials:
– (2) 100-yard balls of 4 mm Bonnie Macramé Cord in Azalea Pink, or other 4 mm synthetic cord
– 11.5 mm (P) crochet hook
– size 7 basket ball (i.e. official NBA size, 29.5 in)
– stitch marker, blunt large-eye needle, scissors
Techniques, Stitches and Abbreviations
Rnd(s) = round(s)
adjustable loop – a method of starting crochet rounds; see photo tutorial here
sc = single crochet (scs = single crochets)
sl st = slip stitch
inc = increase
st(s) = stitch(es)
BL = back loop of a stich
FL= front loop of a stitch
bump = the third loop forming a chain stitch, in addition to the front loop and the back loop
Boxing Ball Crochet Pattern
Work in a continuous spiral, without joining rounds. Repeat instructions between asterisks the stated number of times.
Rnd 1: into adjustable loop, work 6 sc. {6 sts}
Rnd 2: inc around. {12 sts}
Rnd 3: *inc – sc into next st* 6 times. {18 sts}
Rnd 4: *sc into each of next 2 sts – inc* 6 times
Rnd 5: sc – inc – *sc into each of next 3 sts – inc* 5 times – sc into each of next 2 sts
Rnd 6: *sc into each of next 5 sts – inc* 5 times
Rnd 7: sc into each of next 3 sts – inc – *sc into each of next 6 sts – inc* 4 times – sc into each of next 3 sts
Rnd 8: *sc into each of next 9 sts – inc*4 times
Rnd 9: sc into each of next 4 sts – inc – *sc into each of next 10 sts – inc* 3 times – sc into each of next 6 sts
Rnd 10: *sc into each of next 11 sts – inc* 4 times
Rnd 11: sc into each of next 5 sts – inc – *sc into each of next 12 sts – inc* 3 times – sc into each of next 7 sts
Rnd 12: *sc into each of next 13 sts – inc* 4 times
Rnd 13: sc into each of next 6 sts – inc – *sc into each of next 19 sts – inc* 2 times – sc into each of next 13 sts
Rnd 14: *inc – sc into each of next 20 sts* 3 times
Rnds 15-18: sc around
Insert the basket ball into the sleeve. Work remaining rounds over the ball.
Rnd 19: *dec – sc into each of next 20 sts* 3 times
Rnd 20: sc into each of next 6 sts – dec – *sc into each of next 19 sts – dec* 2 times – sc into each of next 13 sts
Rnd 21: *sc into each of next 13 sts – dec* 4 times
Rnd 22: sc into each of next 5 sts – dec – *sc into each of next 12 sts – dec* 3 times – sc into each of next 7 sts
Rnd 23: *sc into each of next 11 sts – dec* 4 times
Rnd 24: sc into each of next 4 sts- dec – *sc into each of next 10 sts – dec* 3 times – sc into each of next 6 sts
Rnd 25: *sc into each of next 9 sts – dec* 4 times
Rnd 26: sc into each of next 3 sts – dec – *sc into each of next 6 sts – dec* 4 times – sc into each of next 3 sts
Rnd 27: *sc into each of next 5 sts – dec* 5 times
Rnd 28: sc into each of next 2 sts – dec – *sc into each of next 4 sts – dec* 4 times – sc into each of next 2 sts
Rnd 29: *sc into each of next 3 sts – dec* 5 times
Rnd 30: *sc into each of next 2 sts – dec* 5 times
Rnd 31: sc around
Rnd 32: *sc – dec* 5 times
Rnd 33: sc around
Rnd 34: dec 5 times
Rnd 35: sc around
Rnd 36: Align 2nd st from the hook with the 5th, and 3rd st from the hook with 4th. Work a sc through both loops of 2nd and 5th sts; then, work a sc through both loops of 3rd and 4th sts to sew the opening shut.
Rnd 37: chain as many stitches as needed (see the note below) – sl st into the stitch that joined 2nd and 5th stitches in Rnd 36.
Note: Make a chain twice as long as the distance from the desired hanging spot to the top of the ball. If you plan on wrapping the cord around a tree branch, add 2-times the circumference of the branch to the length of your branch. Bear in mind that the chain will most likely stretch, both due to the ball’s weight as well as enthusiastic play. My chain was 50 chain-stitches long.
Take great care not to twist your chain before working the joining slip stitch.
Rnd 38: without turning, work a sc into BL and the bump of each ch st (leaving only FL exposed).
Break yarn, and carefully and diligently weave the end in; ideally in multiple directions. Trim excess.
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If you spot any errors in this pattern, please let me know! You can either leave a comment below, or contact me directly. I appreciate any and all feedback that helps me make my patterns as clear and concise as possible.
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