Halloween Spooktacular Scrappy “Bag of Balls”

Update: I posted this post a long time before Halloween so I have no idea why it just reposted?   I’ve had a bit of WordPress trouble lately.  Nov. 17, 2019

If you are like me, sometimes ideas just come by complete accident! That was the case with this project. Doing a set of scrappy Halloween balls was nowhere in my thoughts, but sometimes when you are a crafter -of any sort -one thing just leads to another.

Frequently, if I take out a skein of yarn to make something or complete an order, I will ask myself can I do anything to finish the skein instead of putting it away and this sometimes leads to me making the unexpected.

Just recently, I had an Etsy customer interested in purchasing one of my ready sets of play balls, but she wanted to substitute one for a different color – so, I pulled out my big basket of scrap yarn balls and started making just one ball….

As I sat there with my basket overflowing and seeing all these great colors that would make fabulous balls, I decided to make a new set for my Etsy store and make some room in my scrap basket because it really was overflowing.

As I was working on my new set – which actually ended up being 3 sets! – I kept moving this super bright neon and black ball of yarn and this fuzzy black speckled one out of the way.  I have had this ball for a while, but never used it.  I believe it was in a big bag of yarn that I thrifted so I am not even sure what it is.  I have seen it available for purchase, so I believe it may be a Red Heart yarn, but I am not sure.  Anyway, I moved this ball out of the way and  then a neon pink and then a neon green and I also had a ball of orange and as the pile of yarn accumulated that I was NOT using on my new set, I realized how perfect all of these yarns were for Halloween – and the thoughts started…they started like this: “well, maybe I can make a set with this neon and add some purple, orange and white balls also”… and then, “Oh! I could make the orange ball with green on top and make it look like a pumpkin…” “Oh! and the white ball can have a face and be a ghost”….well, you get the idea…so, I started with this bright neon ball and the pink and green and honestly, the order these fall here on my blog is the order that I made them (as I was making them I was jotting my stitch counts down in my WordPress app)…So, here were go.  Make any one of these balls or a small set of them or ALL of them for Halloween fun for your little ghosts and goblins that may be too young for candy.

This blog post has the numbers that I have used for the balls when working in the round, but not the full printed out step by step instructions for beginners, but if you are familiar with working in the round and know how to increase from 6 to 12 to 18 etc and then decrease you will not have any trouble, but for beginners who need more help you may want to purchase my easy to read PDF that you can print.  It contains a fully detailed cheat sheet that tells you exactly how to increase and decrease for each round.  You can find that HERE.

You may want to check out this blog post where I talk about my “scrappy bags of balls”

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Okay, so let’s get started.  These are the 3 balls that I first started with. Chances are pretty good that you will not have most of the exact yarns that I have used for these balls because this is from my scrap basket and some may have been in there for years.  I also can not remember what all of these yarns may be for the same reason.

For the Pink/Fuzzy Ball:

Hold 3 strands together – pink, multi fuzzy and fur yarn – K hook – the fuzzy yarn feels like a #5 if that helps you plan your work for this.

**I am going to add that I work in the continuous spiral for all my “working in the round” work.  I do not join and chain up 1, but if you do that is fine – just work how you normally work when you are working in the round, but my patterns do not include joining and chaining one, so if that is how you work in the round please do so for each round.  You may also do the magic circle start instead of a chain 2 start like I do – and that is also fine. 

If you are completely comfortable working in the round and have it all memorized this is all you need:

5, 10, 15, 20, 20(5), 15, 10, 5

If not:

Chain 2.

Single crochet 5 in the second chain from the hook and work over your starting tail.

Starting in the first sc make 2 sc in that stitch and in each stitch around. (10) *Still work over the starting tail.

After getting done with all 10 sc for that round, pull the starting tail to cinch up the opening. You can now trim that tail or weave it in or just leave it if it will be on the inside of your work.

I don’t use markers and just go, go, go, but if you do, you want to move your stitch marker to the last stitch of each round so you know when you get to the end.

Round 3: (Make 1 sc in next stitch, make 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (15)

Round 4: (Make 1 sc in next 2 stitches, make 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (20)

Rounds 5-9: make 1 sc in each stitch around

I do not mentioned how and when to stuff every ball in this tutorial.  I usually start stuffing and keep stuffing from about 3 rounds before closing. 

Round 10: (Make 1 sc in next 2 stitches, make an inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (15)

Round 11: (Make 1 sc in next stitch, make an inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (10)

Round 12: (inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (5)

Finish with a tail long enough to sew shut. Weave tail inside ball. Shape.

 

The black fuzzy blanket yarn with yellow uses those 2 strands together with a K hook.

If you are completely comfortable working in the round and have it all memorized this is all you need:

6,12,18,5(18), 12 6

If not:

Chain 2.

Single crochet 6 in the second chain from the hook and work over your starting tail.

Starting in the first sc make 2 sc in that stitch and in each stitch around. (12) *Still work over the starting tail.

After getting done with all 12 sc for that round, pull the starting tail to cinch up the opening. You can now trim that tail or weave it in or just leave it if it will be on the inside of your work.

You want to move your stitch marker to the last stitch of each round so you know when you get to the end.

Round 3: (Make 1 sc in next stitch, make 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (18)

Rounds 4-8: sc in each stitch around (18)

Round 9: (Make 1 sc in next stitch, make an inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around

Round 10: (inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around

Finish with a tail long enough to sew shut. Weave tail inside ball. Shape.

 

Green/Fuzzy

3 strands – green, multi and fur – K hook

If you are completely comfortable working in the round and have it all memorized this is all you need:

6,12,18,24,24(6),18,12,6

“Candy” Ball – one strand of this Angel Fleece in Crayons and one strand of white cotton to help “see” because this yarn is harder to work with and your L hook

If you are completely comfortable working in the round and have it all memorized this is all you need:

6,12,18,18(5),12,6

This fun ball made with Charisma yarn in the color Dragonfly is perfect for Halloween with black, purple and bright green. I used my J hook for this ball.

If you are completely comfortable working in the round and have it all memorized this is all you need:

6,12,18,24,30, 30(6), 24, 18, 12,6

I’m calling this next ball my vampire ball. I chose these red and black scraps and my L hook.

If you are completely comfortable working in the round and have it all memorized this is all you need:

6,12,18,18(5),12,6

For my ghost ball I chose to use some new Red Heart hygge yarn that I just purchased because it’s perfect! I held a strand of cotton with it and used my K hook.

If you are completely comfortable working in the round and have it all memorized this is all you need:

5,10,15,20,20(6), do eyes and mouth etc (I just embroidered Thick x’s and tied off my ends inside – 15,10,5

If not:

Chain 2.

Single crochet 5 in the second chain from the hook and work over your starting tail.

Starting in the first sc make 2 sc in that stitch and in each stitch around. (10) *Still work over the starting tail.

After getting done with all 10 sc for that round, pull the starting tail to cinch up the opening. You can now trim that tail or weave it in or just leave it if it will be on the inside of your work.

I don’t use markers and just go, go, go, but if you do, you want to move your stitch marker to the last stitch of each round so you know when you get to the end.

Round 3: (Make 1 sc in next stitch, make 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (15)

Round 4: (Make 1 sc in next 2 stitches, make 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (20)

Rounds 5-10: make 1 sc in each stitch around. 

Now pause and do the eyes and mouth. I’ve just embroidered some x’s and tied it all on the inside.

Round 11:(Make 1 sc in next 2 stitches, make an inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (15)

Round 12: (Make 1 sc in next stitch, make an inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (10)

Round 13: (inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (5)

Finish with a tail long enough to sew shut. Weave tail inside ball. Shape.

This is my Monster ball. I chose to use mostly purple because I had so much of it – and purple is a great Halloween color – but use anything you have.

I started by holding a strand of regular 4-ply yarn and the Patons Bohemian which is a #6 and velvety and also the scrubby yarn. That is a lot to hold. I’ll note where I dropped the scrubby and velvet and switch to another plain strand of #4 and the ribbon yarn.

Adjust your hook size to your materials and use what fits your yarn. For all my materials, I had to use my N hook.

If you are completely comfortable working in the round and have it all memorized this is all you need:

5,10,15,20,20(4) – I then ended the 4-ply purple and the scrubby and added a mint yarn and the ribbon yarn – 20(2), Stop now and do the teeth. I just made a small white chain and weaved it in and out of the stitches – now and do the eye :

Eye – H hook – circle: 6,12,18,24. Sew on.

Now, back to ball: reverse and do loop stitches 15,10,5

If not:

Chain 2.

Single crochet 5 in the second chain from the hook and work over your starting tail.

Starting in the first sc make 2 sc in that stitch and in each stitch around. (10) *Still work over the starting tail.

After getting done with all 10 sc for that round, pull the starting tail to cinch up the opening. You can now trim that tail or weave it in or just leave it if it will be on the inside of your work.

I don’t use markers and just go, go, go, but if you do, you want to move your stitch marker to the last stitch of each round so you know when you get to the end.

Round 3: (Make 1 sc in next stitch, make 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (15)

Round 4: (Make 1 sc in next 2 stitches, make 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (20)

Rounds 5-8: make 1 sc in each stitch around. (20)

I then ended the 4-ply purple and the scrubby and added a mint yarn and the ribbon yarn

Rounds 9-10: make 1 sc in each stitch around. (20)

Stop now and do the teeth. I just made a small white chain and weaved it in and out of the stitches – now and do the eye :

Eye – H hook – circle: 6,12,18,24. Sew on.

Now, back to ball: reverse the direction you are working so your loop stitches will be on the outside. 15,10,5

Round 11:(Make 1 sc in next 2 stitches, make an inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (15)

Round 12: (Make 1 sc in next stitch, make an inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (10)

Round 13: (inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (5)

Finish with a tail long enough to sew shut. Weave tail inside ball. Shape.

For my Pumpkin ball, I chose 3 different shades of orange in 4-ply yarn and my M hook. I planned to finish the very top of the pumpkin and with some scrubby dish green for texture and a scrap ball of #6 green – I held all 3 together to keep the size hook I started with.

If you are completely comfortable working in the round and have it all memorized this is all you need:

6,12,18,18(5), change to green 18,12,6

For this little Candy Corn ball, it’s the most simple. Use your H hook (or G if you crochet loose) and orange, yellow and white 4-ply yarn. It’s a single strand ball.

If you are completely comfortable working in the round and have it all memorized this is all you need:

6,12,18,24,30,36,36(2) in orange

(36)4 and 30 in yellow

24.18,12,6 in white

This ball I’m calling my Mummy ball. I’ve used some leftover Yarn Bee Cloud 9 and some black velvet. I’m also still using this white cotton with the Cloud 9 fuzzy yarn. Holding the two whites together with my I hook to start.

If you are completely comfortable working in the round and have it all memorized this is all you need:

6,12,18,24,30, 30(5),

change to some black to make the “hole” in face for the eyes- don’t finish off your white just carry it behind. You’ll only use the black partially across the front of the face – I did 10 stitches on 3 rows – so, 10 stitches in black, 20 in white *repeat twice more * I actually did 8 in black on the last row leaving a white on each end *

24,18,insert eyes, 12, 6. I’ve chosen safety eyes on this one, but with the velvet yarn (it’s super “releasing”) I’ve double backed my eyes with a large metal washer before the safety eye closure. See below photo:

For my “eyeball” ball I chose to use two strands throughout – double black, double blue and then white. I also used my I hook

If you are completely comfortable working in the round and have it all memorized this is all you need:

In black, 6,12,18 –

In blue (or whatever color you want) 24,30, 30

In white 30(5),24 (red lines), 18,12,6

 

For my Frankstein Ball it is a full scrap yarn ball. I didn’t get a before but I held 3 strands of yarn for this ball and my L hook.

I started with gray, light blue and a mix of cream/gray.

If you are completely comfortable working in the round and have it all memorized this is all you need:

5,10,15,20,20

Then I changed to 3 different mint colored yarns including a scrubby cotton one. 20(6)

Change to black and do 20,15,10,5

Before you finish to far make sure you do the eyes and face.

For the hair on front of face I did my sc one row below and make a long sc. I did 4 with a regular sc between.

 

If you like these Halloween scrappy balls, you may also enjoy making this Valentine’s Day set and this Easter set.

Bag. 2 strands. N/10mm

6,12,18,24,30,36, slip st

(Chain 6, skip 2, slip st) 11x

(Chain 6, slip st in next space) 60 times

(Chain 5, slip st in next space) 60 times

(Chain 4, slip st in next space) 48 times

Sc 4 in each space around starting in the space where you are. (48) – I went down to my J hook for these last stitches

hdc in each stitch around

Ties: make 2: still with your J hook and two strands

Leave a long tail if you want to make tassels on the ends and chain 75. Leave another tail at end for tassel.

Weave in and out between spaces under sc row. Do the same for the second tie on the other side so that the two ends are on opposite sides. When you weave the second tie do it so your weave is opposite from the first one. See photo:

I’ve used the opposite colors so you can see the ties.

Cut a few extra strands if you want to make tassels and tie them with your long tails.