Free Crochet Pattern- Sensory Toy Balls #1 | Cherry and Crochet Designs

 Sensory Toy Balls- Plain, Striped, Ridged, Bobble

These sensory toy balls are a perfect gift for a baby or child. They work up really quickly and can be made using tiny scraps of yarn. They contain a filler pouch rather than regular stuffing for extra safety for the child, and feature a striped version, a simple sparkly version, a bobbly version and many more in another post. The whole set would make a great quick and easy last minute present for an expectant mother or toddler. 

For all of the sensory balls in the series, you will need these items

Filler pouch (instructions for how to make here)
Double knitting yarn in colour(s) of your choice
4mm crochet hook
Yarn needle to weave in ends

Basic Toy Sensory Ball (sparkly black)

I used Stylecraft Cabaret in Shadows to make it sparkly. 

Chain 2

R1) 8 half double crochet in 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R2) Chain 1, 2 half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R3) Chain 1, *2 half double crochet in stitch, 1 half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R4-6) Chain 1, half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch

Insert filler pouch here

R7) Chain 1, *half double crochet two together in next 2 stitches, half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R8) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch

R9) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Fasten off and sew top and bottom of ball closed, then weave in ends. 

Striped Toy Sensory Ball (mixed colours)

Chain 2 with colour A

R1) 8 half double crochet in 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R2) Chain 1, 2 half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. Change to colour B. 

R3) Chain 1, *2 half double crochet in stitch, 1 half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R4-6) Chain 1, half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. Change to colour C at end of round 5. 

Insert filler pouch here

R7) Chain 1, *half double crochet two together in next 2 stitches, half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. Change to colour D. 

R8) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch

R9) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Fasten off and sew top and bottom of ball closed, then weave in ends. 

Ridged Toy Sensory Ball (orange)

Chain 2

R1) 8 half double crochet in 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R2) Chain 1, 2 half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R3) Chain 1, *2 half double crochet in stitch, 1 half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R4) Chain 2, double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R5) Chain 2,"front post double crochet, back post double crochet," repeat from "to" around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Insert filler pouch here

R7) Chain 1, *half double crochet two together in next 2 stitches, half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R8) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch

R9) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Fasten off and sew top and bottom of ball closed, then weave in ends. 

Bobble Toy Sensory Ball

Bobble- make 5 double crochet, take hook out of loop and reinsert at top of first double crochet, insert end of hook into loop of 5th stitch and make a slip stitch.

Chain 2

R1) 8 half double crochet in 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R2) Chain 1, 2 half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R3) Chain 1, *2 half double crochet in stitch, 1 half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R4) Chain 1, half double crochet in 2 stitches, *bobble, half double crochet in 5 stitches, repeat from * around , slip stitch to first stitch. 

R5) Chain 1, half double crochet in 6 stitches, *bobble, half double crochet in 5 stitches, repeat from * around , slip stitch to first stitch. 

R6) Chain 1, half double crochet in 3 stitches, *bobble, half double crochet in 5 stitches, repeat from * around , slip stitch to first stitch. 

Insert filler pouch here

R7) Chain 1, *half double crochet two together in next 2 stitches, half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R8) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch

R9) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Fasten off and sew top and bottom of ball closed, then weave in ends.

Thank you for reading Cherry and Crochet Designs, please comment if you have any issues or ideas for future patterns.