FREE PATTERN WITH VIDEO TUTORIAL
Crochet is an activity that can be practiced to help clear the mind and relieve stress. But besides being a calming hobbie in itself, we can also create some useful items to aide in that same purpose.
The Relax Crochet Stress Ball can be pressed as much as you want, like a regular stress ball, and it can be of help for whenever you need something to distract the mind.
Steps to make it are easy, with the small size to fit your hand, both for kids and adults, and with a simple process that can be completed at home for everyone to participate.
Skill level is intermediate because it includes tapestry crochet to draw the cute smiley face, but this is only completed in a few rounds and a few color changes. So, not too much of a complication.
Tapestry crochet with two colors only, which you can always practice before making this design. You only need a few minutes and making a small sample to try it out with my Tapestry Crochet, Getting Started video. This will help you start the little ball with more confidence.
A small project that includes simple increases and decreases to shape. And the making of the seed ball which is fast, only needing some balloons and seeds from your own cupboard.
STITCHES AND TECHNIQUES
Tapestry Crochet
In this technique, you crochet with one yarn while one or more threads are carried and wrapped in between the stitches. Colors are switched throughout rows/rounds to make a drawing. Depending on the project, you will make one or more foundation rows/rounds with one color only and then move on to the tapestry crochet portion of the project.
Invisible decrease (single crochet)
Usually used for amigurumi, where stitches need to be tighter, before adding stuffing.
Insert the hook in the front loop of next stitch, immediately insert the hook in the front loop of next stitch, yarn over and draw through two loops on the hook, yarn over and draw through last two loops on the hook. One stitch has been decreased.
This video tutorial for the Relax Crochet Stress Ball covers all steps of the making, including how to make the seed ball before starting to crochet. Video is in Spanish, but you have the option to see the Closed Caption in the language of your choice, by selecting the settings icon on the video then, select Closed Caption, Automatic Translation and select your language. And you also have all written directions and images (below this same post), to follow every detail step by step.
PLEASE NOTE, THAT THE VIDEO TUTORIAL DISPLAYS THE STRESS BALL MADE IN BLUE/WHITE, WHILE THE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS DISPLAY IT IN GREEN/ECRU.
I used thread weight cotton yarn and a 2.5 mm crochet hook for a fabric that is not so thick, allowing the fingers and hands to press more firmly into the ball structure.
SUGGESTED MATERIALS
- One 70 gr / 2.5 oz (280 m/306 yd) skein of thread weight (100% cotton) yarn in GREEN (MC)
- 10 gr / 0.4 oz (40 m/44 yd) of thread weight (100% cotton) yarn in ECRU (CC)
- 2.5 mm (12) crochet hook
- Stitch marker
- 3 balloons
- Funnel
- 45-50 gr (1.6-1.8 oz) of seeds (flaxseed, rice, lentils, etc)
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
FINISHED SIZE
Full circumference
6.7” / 17 cm
GAUGE
Single crochet, back and forth
26 sts and 24 rows= 4”/10 cm
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate: This design includes crochet basic stitches, basic increases, an easy level tapestry crochet pattern, easy shaping and finishing techniques.
STITCH GUIDE
- Rnd: round
- Ch: chain
- St(s): stitch(es)
- Sl st: slip stitch
- Sc: single crochet
- Dec: decrease
- Rep: repeat
- Beg: beginning
- MC: main color
- CC: contrasting color
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
NOTES
- When crocheting in the round, in a spiral, with sc, place a marker in first st of the Rnd and move up with every Rnd as work progresses.
SEED BALL
Inflate a balloon and let it deflate. Add the seeds with the funnel and cut half the tip of the balloon.
Cut the tip of another balloon and wrap the seed ball, by covering the tip, to avoid seeds from getting out.
Cut the tip from third balloon and wrap the seed ball once again to shape.
CROCHET BALL
Crocheted in the round, in a spiral, starting from the top. With MC make a slip ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 6 sc inside the ring= 6 sts
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around= 12 sts
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 6 times= 18 sts
Rnd 4: Sc 1, (2 sc in next st, sc 2) rep ( ) 5 times, 2 sc in next st, sc 1= 24 sts
Rnd 5: (Sc 3, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 6 times= 30 sts
Rnd 6: Sc 2, (2 sc in next st, sc 4) rep ( ) 5 times, 2 sc in next st, sc 2= 36 sts
Rnd 7: (Sc 5, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 6 times= 42 sts
Rnd 8: Sc 3, (2 sc in next st, sc 6) rep ( ) 5 times, 2 sc in next st, sc 3= 48 sts
Rnd 9: Sc 48= 48 sts
Rnd 10: From this round on, carry and wrap CC yarn. Take them leaving a 4”/ 10 cm tail. Continue crocheting with MC, now wrapping CC in between the sts. Continue crocheting over 48 sts by switching colors between MC and CC to make the drawing, by carrying the unused color in between the sts of the working color.
With MC sc 19, with CC sc 2, with MC sc 5, with CC sc 2, with MC sc 20= 48 sts
Rnd 11: With MC sc 19, with CC sc 2, with MC sc 5, with CC sc 2, with MC sc 20= 48 sts
Rnds 12-13: With MC sc 48= 48 sts
Rnd 14: With MC sc 19, with CC sc 1, with MC sc 8, with CC sc 1, with MC sc 19= 48 sts
Rnd 15: With MC sc 20, with CC sc 9, with MC sc 19= 48 sts
Rnd 16: With MC sc 21, with CC sc 7, with MC sc 20= 48 sts
Cut CC.
Rnds 17: Sc 48= 48 sts
Rnd 18: Sc 3, (dec 1, sc 6) rep ( ) 5 times, dec 1, sc 3= 42 sts
Rnd 19: (Sc 5, dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 36 sts
Rnd 20: Sc 2, (dec 1, sc 4) rep ( ) 5 times, dec 1, sc 2= 30 sts
Place the seed ball inside the crochet work. Continue crocheting with the ball inside.
Rnd 21: (Sc 3, dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 24 sts
Rnd 22: Sc 1, (dec 1, sc 2) rep ( ) 5 times, dec 1, sc 1= 18 sts
Rnd 23: (Sc 1, dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 12 sts
Rnd 24: (Dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 6 sts
Sl st in next st.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Your own DIY stress ball has been created. For you to make in different colors and take everywhere you need. To be used for your loved ones, big or small, and even to play with as a cute little toy.
I am sure that just like me, you will want to make more than one. I even carry one inside my bag for when it comes handy. Share your version with me, use #crochetstressball to see your creation or just tag me as @chabepatterns on my Instagram.
All written instructions and images in this pattern are protected by Copyright. This pattern is for personal use and not to be copied or reproduced, partially or totally, for any purpose. It may not be redistributed or shared anywhere, either online or offline. Finished items made from this pattern may be sold, in small quantity. But they cannot be promoted using the images contained in this pattern. Proper credit for the original design must be given to Chabepatterns and link back to this post and/or designer’s pattern shop.