Scrappy “Bag of Balls”

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I’ve been making these fun toy balls since my baby boy was a little guy and that was a long time ago! It’s the absolute perfect way to use those scraps! Even the smallest piece of scraps are perfect for these. And these sell great for me at craft fairs and Etsy. Mix up the textures by using different yarns for textile and stimulating baby toys – but, use washable yarns.

This fun mesh bag is the cutest way to store them and works up so quickly! You can knock out a set of balls with the bag easily in a day – or a few hours if you’re quick.

This bag can be used for so many things and not just storing your balls 🙂 – it makes a great market or beach bag.

I’ll share with you my “free form” formula for the balls, but honestly each are all slightly different and I often wing it. The bag does have a pattern, but depending on what yarn and hook you use yours may be a different size. I’ll note my recommendations for that as well.

So, let’s get started.

This post does contain affiliate links.  I will get a small percentage from any purchase made through my page here, but your price remains the same.  I appreciate any purchase made through my page as I can continue to offer free patterns here on my blog. These are a few of my favorite things. 

You see this pile of scraps? I use everything! I save all my scraps that are over about 18″ long. Eyelash, cottons, metallics, thick and chunky yarns – everything! Mixing textures and colors is what makes these so much fun!

Now, the “formula” for the balls is pretty relaxed. I usually use 2-4 strands of yarn at one time. Sometimes – like if I’m making a special rainbow ball – I will use only one strand, but 2-4 is my normal. And the hook I use depends on those yarns, but normally I use my I, J and K. Use the hook for your yarn that gives you tight stitches without being too finicky.

 

I typically do my balls with these two formulas -(and I chain 2 to start and work in the round in continuous spiral. *you will need to know how to work in the round to understand this part) – work over your starting tail for the first two rounds and pull it snug to close your hole at the start.

1. 5, 10, 15, 20, 20(4-7 rounds depending) and then decrease 15, 10, 5

2. 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, (maybe 36 or 42 if single strand) *work straight for 4-7 rounds when you are done increasing and then decrease.

Your straight rows will be mainly determined by how chunky your yarns are – if your holding 4 strands for example it takes less rows for your balls. And for chunky yarns you may only need to increase to 18 or 24. *24 and then 5 rows worked straight is my normal*

I hope that makes sense above.

When you run out of a piece finish your last stitch in your new color and keep going. I do tie off the ends inside, but no weaving in because all your ends are inside. I do try to work over my ends to lock them down. And – let’s say you are using 3 strands – a 4-ply piece, a sock yarn piece and a #5 yarn. When you run out of one type you want to try to replace it and keep going with that same type – make sense? So, if you are using a strand of kitchen cotton and it ends and you need to join another don’t join a chunky yarn to that piece. Try to keep your 3 strands harmonious throughout.

Okay, now onto the bag.

For the mesh bags, I usually hold two strands of a regular 4-ply worsted weight yarn and use my 6.5/7.00 mm hook.

I work the bottom in rounds in continuous spiral starting with a chain 2. For the bag I usually do a HDC, but SC and DC are fine as well. The formula I use for this size is this:

In Hdc 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 and then start the “mesh part”

After round 5, when you have 40 hdc, continue on and do about 4-5 Sc – this evens out the bottom circle a little. Then chain 5 and skip 4 stitches and slip stitch in next. (Chain 5, skip 4 and slip stitch) repeat this all the way around until you get back to your first chain 5 space and then continue to chain 5 and SC in the next space until the bag is the height you desire – once you reach the height you want do a round of hdc by putting 4 hdc in each space and one hdc in the Sc around.

For the straps/ties they are simply a chain of 75. Weave them over and under in the spaces just below your hdc border on top. Start the two ties on opposite sides so they can draw the bag closed.

And that’s it! You can see all the fabulous combinations of colors you can get. These make the most fun gifts!

Share your “bag of balls” toys with me over on my IG @theburgundybasket

See my affiliate links below this post to support my blog. I have this pencil case listed here because it is the BEST tool/hook case I have ever had. I use it for all my hooks needles scissor etc. It is the perfect size for everything I need so my hook case is already ready to go!  And this clear project bag is how I store my WIPs and then when I am running out to an appointment or traveling in the car I just grab it and go!  I can see which project I have and it’s the perfect size!!

 

 

Kristi