If you're looking for a project that's as fun to play with as it is to make, you've found it! This SpaceBall is a hit with little ones because of its unique sliding arms. It's a wonderful way to use up those colorful scraps in your stash while creating something truly interactive. You'll love seeing how the simple mechanics of crochet can create a toy that keeps tiny hands busy for hours.
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— 1. Arms (Make 4 in different colors) :
Info :
Make four arms in total using red, green, yellow, and blue yarn. Only the bulbous ends are stuffed; the long middle section must remain hollow.
Round 1 :
Start with 6 SC into a MR (6)
Round 2 :
Work 6 INC around (12)
Round 3 :
Repeat (1 SC, INC) 6 times (18)
Round 4 :
Repeat (2 SC, INC) 6 times (24)
Round 5-8 :
Work 24 SC in each round for 4 rounds (24)
Round 9 :
Repeat (DEC, 2 SC) 6 times (18)
Info :
Fill the bulbous end firmly with stuffing.
Round 10 :
Repeat (DEC, 1 SC) 6 times (12)
Round 11 :
Repeat (DEC, 2 SC) 3 times (9)
Round 12-71 :
Crochet 9 SC in every round for the next 60 rounds (9)
Info :
Do not stuff this long tube section; it needs to stay flat to slide through the body.
Round 72 :
Repeat (INC, 2 SC) 3 times (12)
Round 73 :
Repeat (1 SC, INC) 6 times (18)
Round 74 :
Repeat (2 SC, INC) 6 times (24)
Round 75-78 :
Work 24 SC in each round for 4 rounds (24)
Round 79 :
Repeat (DEC, 2 SC) 6 times (18)
Info :
Fill this second bulbous end firmly with stuffing.
Round 80 :
Repeat (DEC, 1 SC) 6 times (12)
Round 81 :
Work 6 DEC, then fasten off (6)
— 2. Main Body :
Info :
Use grey yarn. You will be incorporating the arms into the body as you go, so keep them nearby.
Round 1 :
Start with 6 SC into a MR (6)
Round 2 :
Work 6 INC around (12)
Round 3 :
Repeat (1 SC, INC) 6 times (18)
Round 4 :
Repeat (2 SC, INC) 6 times (24)
Round 5 :
Repeat (3 SC, INC) 6 times (30)
Round 6 :
Repeat (4 SC, INC) 6 times (36)
Round 7 :
Repeat (5 SC, INC) 6 times (42)
Round 8 :
CH 3 and skip 3 stitches, insert the yellow arm, 3 SC, INC, (6 SC, INC) twice, CH 3 and skip 3 stitches, insert the red arm, 3 SC, INC, (6 SC, INC) twice (48)
Round 9 :
Repeat (7 SC, INC) 6 times, ensuring you work 1 SC into each of the chains from the previous round (54)
Round 10 :
Repeat (8 SC, INC) 6 times (60)
Round 11 :
Repeat (9 SC, INC) 6 times (66)
Round 12 :
Repeat (10 SC, INC) 6 times (72)
Round 13 :
Repeat (11 SC, INC) 6 times (78)
Round 14 :
Repeat (12 SC, INC) 6 times (84)
Round 15-18 :
Work 84 SC in each round for 4 rounds (84)
Round 19 :
6 SC, CH 3 and skip 3 stitches, insert the green arm, 39 SC, CH 3 and skip 3 stitches, insert the blue arm, 33 SC (84)
Round 20-24 :
Work 84 SC in each round for 5 rounds (84)
Round 25 :
3 SC, CH 3 and skip 3 stitches, insert the other end of the blue arm, 39 SC, CH 3 and skip 3 stitches, insert the other end of the green arm, 36 SC (84)
Round 26-29 :
Work 84 SC in each round for 4 rounds (84)
Round 30 :
Repeat (DEC, 12 SC) 6 times (78)
Round 31 :
Repeat (DEC, 11 SC) 6 times (72)
Info :
Begin stuffing the body around the arms.
Round 32 :
Repeat (DEC, 10 SC) 6 times (66)
Round 33 :
Repeat (DEC, 9 SC) 6 times (60)
Round 34 :
Repeat (DEC, 8 SC) 6 times (54)
Round 35 :
Repeat (DEC, 7 SC) 6 times (48)
Round 36 :
DEC, 1 SC, CH 3 and skip 3 stitches, insert the other end of the red arm, 2 SC, DEC, (6 SC, DEC) twice, 1 SC, CH 3 and skip 3 stitches, insert the other end of the yellow arm, 2 SC, (DEC, 6 SC) twice (42)
Round 37 :
Repeat (DEC, 5 SC) 6 times, working 1 SC into each chain stitch (36)
Round 38 :
Repeat (DEC, 4 SC) 6 times (30)
Info :
Finish stuffing the ball firmly, ensuring it has a nice round shape.
Round 39 :
Repeat (DEC, 3 SC) 6 times (24)
Round 40 :
Repeat (DEC, 2 SC) 6 times (18)
Round 41 :
Repeat (DEC, 1 SC) 6 times (12)
Round 42 :
Work 6 DEC, then fasten off and weave in the tail (6)
— 3. Eyes (Make 2) :
Round 1 :
Using black yarn, work 6 SC into a MR (6)
Round 2 :
Work 6 INC around (12)
Round 3 :
Repeat (1 SC, INC) 6 times, then SL ST and fasten off (18)
— 4. Eye Edging & Details :
Info :
After securing the eyes to the body, you will crochet a border directly onto the face.
Round 1 :
Insert your hook into the body around the eye and work 15 SC in a circle (15)
Round 2 :
Work another round of 15 SC, then SL ST to finish (15)
— 5. Finishing the Arm Openings :
Info :
To give the toy a professional look and keep stuffing inside, work a border around each of the 8 arm holes.
Round 1 :
Attach grey yarn to the corner of a hole and work 3 SC along the side, 2 SC in the corner, 3 SC along the other side, and 2 SC in the final corner (10)
Round 2 :
Work 10 SC around the opening, then SL ST to finish (10)
I hope you have as much fun making this little SpaceBall as I did! It’s such a rewarding project because it’s both a toy and a learning tool. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your own color combinations—the brighter, the better! Once you finish, you'll have a durable, handmade companion that's ready for years of play. It's the kind of project that reminds you why we love to craft in the first place—making something useful, beautiful, and totally unique for the people we love most. Happy stitching! 🧶✨