Knitting Ornamental Balls: A Comprehensive Guide
Knitting Needle Size
6 or 4 mm
Yarn Weight
(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)
Gauge
21 sts and 27 rows = 4" [10 cm] in stocking st.
Finished Size
Approx 4" [10 cm] diameter
Materials List
Bernat® Happy Holidays™ (3.5 oz/100 g; 240 yds/219 m)
- Version 1: Main Color (MC) Merrier Multi (31713) 1 ball, Contrast A Twinkly White (31709) 1 ball
- Version 2: Main Color (MC) Silvered Red (31710) 1 ball, Contrast A Twinkly White (31709) 1 ball
- Version 3: Main Color (MC) Glittery Green (31711) 1 ball, Contrast A Twinkly White (31709) 1 ball
Set of four size U.S. 6 (4 mm) double-pointed knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge
Craft foam balls 4" [10 cm] diameter
Stitch Marker
For more knitted ornaments, click here!
Instructions
Note: 1 ball each of MC and A will make 12 ornaments.
First Half of Ball
With MC, cast on 7 sts. Divide onto 3 needles (2, 2, 3). Join in rnd, placing marker on first st.
- 1st rnd: (Knit into front and back of stitch - Kfb) 7 times. 14 sts.
- 2nd and alt rnds: Knit.
- 3rd rnd: (Kfb. K1) 7 times. 21 sts.
- 5th rnd: (Kfb. K2) 7 times. 28 sts.
- 7th rnd: (Kfb. K3) 7 times. 35 sts.
- 9th rnd: (Kfb. K4) 7 times. 42 sts.
- 11th rnd: (Kfb. K5) 7 times. 49 sts.
- 13th rnd: (Kfb. K6) 7 times. 56 sts.
- 15th rnd: (Kfb. K7) 7 times. 63 sts.
- 17th rnd: (Kfb. K8) 7 times. 70 sts.
- 18th rnd: Knit.
Work Chart to end of chart, reading rnds from right to left and noting 10-st rep will be worked 7 times.
Break MC.
Second Half of Ball
With A, knit 1 rnd.
Proceed as follows:
- 1st rnd: (K2tog. K8) 7 times. 63 sts.
- 2nd and alt rnds: Knit.
- 3rd rnd: (K2tog. K7) 7 times. 56 sts.
- 5th rnd: (K2tog. K6) 7 times. 49 sts.
- 7th rnd: (K2tog. K5) 7 times. 42 sts.
- 9th rnd: (K2tog. K4) 7 times. 35 sts.
Insert Foam Ball
- 11th rnd: (K2tog. K3) 7 times. 28 sts.
- 13th rnd: (K2tog. K2) 7 times. 21 sts.
- 15th rnd: (K2tog. K1) 7 times. 14 sts.
- 16th rnd: Knit.
Break yarn, leaving long end. Thread end through rem loops. Pull tightly. Fasten securely.
Hanging Loop
Cast on 30 sts.
With A, cast off. Fold loop in half and sew to top of ornament.
Abbreviations
- alt: alternate(ing)
- approx: approximately
- k: knit
- k2tog: knit next 2 stitches together
- kfb: increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch
- rem: remaining
- rep: repeat
- rnd(s): round(s)
- st(s): stitch(es)
