Learn how to crochet a ball or a hackey sack.

I do the tutorial with fat yarn and a size N crochet hook for better visability. It is also a very good idea for beginners to start out with thicker yarn and a larger hook so they can practice before going down to the skinnier threads and crochet hooks.

The hackey sack can be made using the pattern I will provide here, 1 or more balls of #3 crochet thread, and a size 2 crochet hook.

Step 1: Make the Slip Knot.

Begin by making a slip knot (pics 1 - 4). Slide hook into loop formed by making slip knot.

Gently tighten the noose around the hook (pic 5).

Step 2: Chain 4.

Chain 4.

If necessary, refer to this video:

Step 3: Join With a Slip Stitch to Form a Ring.

Pinch the 4th chain from the hook between your Left thumb and forefinger (pic 1).

Insert hook (pics 2 & 3).

Draw up a loop and pull through the chain and the loop on the hook (pics 4 & 5).

Pic 6 is after the hook is through the chain and the loop.

Step 4: Begin Crocheting Into the Ring.

Round 1: Chain 1 (pic 2) and tuck tail to left of work. You will be working the tail into the crocheting as you go.

Keeping the tail to the left and on the outer area of ring, insert hook into center of the ring (as pictured in view 1). Draw up a loop and pull it through the ring(pic 3). There are now 2 loops on the hook (pic 4).

Draw up a loop and pull it through both loops on hook (pic 5); one single crochet in the ring complete. Make 5 more single crochet in the ring.

Here is Crocheting a Ball - Part 1 (movie)

Step 5: Begin Round 2 and 3.

Join with a slip stitch to the 1st single crochet (6 single crochet or 6sc).

Round 2: Chain 1. (Tip: Place a different colored piece of yarn before you do the next stitch.) Make 1 single crochet (sc) in the same stitch as the join. 2 sc in the next stitch (5 times). You will have 12 sc at the end of the round. Join with a slip stitch (sl) to the chain one spot.

Round 3: Chain 1. (Tip: Place a different colored piece of yarn before you do the next stitch.) 1 sc in same stitch as join. *1 sc in next stitch, 2 sc in next stitch. Repeat from * around to chain 1. Join with a sl to the chain one spot.

Crocheting a Ball - Part 2 (movie)

Step 6: Rounds 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Round 4: Chain 1. Place marker. 1 sc in same stitch as join. *1 sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st. Repeat from * around to marker. Join with a sl to chain 1 spot.

round 5: Chain 1. Place marker. 1 sc in same st as join. *1 sc in each of next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st. Repeat from * around to marker. Join with a sl to chain 1 spot.

round 6: Chain 1 and place marker. 1 sc in each st all the way around to marker.

round 7: Remove marker from previous round and place in front of hook. 1 sc in each st all the way around to marker.

Step 7: Begin Decreasing and Finish Ball.

Round 8: remove marker from previous round and place in front of hook. *1 sc in each of next 3 sts, draw up loop in each of next 2 sts; draw up a loop and pull through 3 loops on hook. Repeat from * around to marker.

Round 9: remove marker from previous round and place in front of hook. *1 sc in each of next 2 sts, draw up loop in each of next 2 sts; draw up a loop and pull through 3 loops on hook. Repeat from * around to marker.

Stuff your ball with whatever your heart's desire, just so long as it's not going to fall out.

Round 10: remove marker and place in front of hook. *Draw up a loop in each of next 2 sts; draw up a loop and pull through 3 loops on hook. Repeat from * around to marker.

Final round: remove marker. Draw up a loop in each of next 2 sts; draw up a loop and pull through 3 loops on hook (twice). Weave in ends using crochet hook.

Crocheting a Ball - Part 3 (movie)

Enjoy your ball.

Step 8: Hackey Sack Instructions

Chain 4 and join with sl to form a ring.

Round 1: Chain 1 (pic 2) and tuck tail to left of work. You will be working the tail into the crocheting as you go.

Keeping the tail to the left and on the outer area of ring, insert hook into center of the ring (as pictured in view 1). Draw up a loop and pull it through the ring(pic 3). There are now 2 loops on the hook (pic 4).

Draw up a loop and pull it through both loops on hook (pic 5); one single crochet in the ring complete. Make 5 more single crochet in the ring.

Join with a slip stitch to the 1st single crochet (6 single crochet or 6sc).

Round 2: Chain 1. (Tip: Place a different colored piece of yarn before you do the next stitch.) Make 1 single crochet (sc) in the same stitch as the join. 2 sc in the next stitch (5 times). You will have 12 sc at the end of the round. Join with a slip stitch (sl) to the chain one spot.

Round 3: Chain 1. (Tip: Place a different colored piece of yarn before you do the next stitch.) 1 sc in same stitch as join. *1 sc in next stitch, 2 sc in next stitch. Repeat from * around to chain 1. Join with a sl to the chain one spot.

Round 4: Chain 1. Place marker. 1 sc in same stitch as join. *1 sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st. Repeat from * around to marker. Join with a sl to chain 1 spot.

Round 5: Chain 1. Place marker. 1 sc in same st as join. *1 sc in each of next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st. Repeat from * around to marker. Join with a sl to chain 1 spot.

Round 6: Chain 1. Place marker. 1 sc in same st as join. *1 sc in each of next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st. Repeat from * around to marker. Join with a sl to chain 1 spot.

Round 7: Chain 1. Place marker. 1 sc in same st as join. *1 sc in each of next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st. Repeat from * around to marker. Join with a sl to chain 1 spot.

Round 8: Chain 1. Place marker. 1 sc in same st as join. *1 sc in each of next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st. Repeat from * around to marker. Join with a sl to chain 1 spot.

Round 9 and middle of hackey sack: Chain 1 and place marker (you don't need it now, but if it makes you comfortable, use it). 1 sc in each st all the way around to marker. Keep making 1 sc in each st around until the ball is about 1-1/2 inches high when placed on a flat surface like a hat.

Round 10: Place marker in front of hook. *1 sc in each of next 6 sts; pull up a loop in next 2 sts; pull up loop and draw through 3 loops on hook. Repeat from * around to marker.

Round 11: Place marker in front of hook. *1 sc in each of next 5 sts; pull up a loop in next 2 sts; pull up loop and draw through 3 loops on hook. Repeat from * around to marker.

Round 12: Place marker in front of hook. *1 sc in each of next 4 sts; pull up a loop in next 2 sts; pull up loop and draw through 3 loops on hook. Repeat from * around to marker.

Stuff toe of thin sock with resin beads. Make sure they have enough freedom to move (sorta like a beanbag) and sew sock shut. Push into hackey sack.

Round 13: Place marker in front of hook. *1 sc in each of next 3 sts; pull up a loop in next 2 sts; pull up loop and draw through 3 loops on hook. Repeat from * around to marker.

Round 14: Place marker in front of hook. *1 sc in each of next 2 sts; pull up a loop in next 2 sts; pull up loop and draw through 3 loops on hook. Repeat from * around to marker.

Round 15: Place marker in front of hook. *Pull up a loop in next 2 sts; pull up loop and draw through 3 loops on hook. Repeat from * around to marker.

Final Round: Cut thread leaving a 12 inch tail. Draw thread through loop on hook and pull thread all the way through. Thread needle with tail and draw through final sts. Pull tight and weave in ends.

I will post the rest of the pics when I've finished the hackey sack.

TLMacD