YARN

Mocha Ball

Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Organic; 100% organic cotton; 65g; 137m/150yds; 1 hank each of 30 and 31 (A & B)

Polka Dot Ball

Blue Sky Alpacas Hand Spun Organic Cotton; 100% organic cotton; 68g; 120m/132yds; 1 hank (C)

NEEDLES

Size 3.75mm[US5] needles

GAUGE

16sts per 10cm/4″ using garter st  in A and B

14sts per 10cm/4″ using stst in C

NOTIONS

Polka Dot Ball

Paper

Small scraps of fabric

Sewing needle

Cotton sewing thread

Both Balls

Organic wool fibre for filling

1 small bell

Tapestry needle

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Mocha Ball: 40cm/16″ circumference

Polka Dot Ball: 43cm/17″

MOCHA BALL

With A, cast on 34 sts.

*Knit 1 row.

Begin short rows.

Note: if you slip the first stitch after the turn, there is no need for “wrapping”.

Row 1: K 20, turn,

Row 2: Slip 1, k5, turn,

Row 3: Slip 1, k6, turn,

Rows 4-30: Continue as set, ending Slip 1, k33.

Knit 1 row.

Change to B. Do not cut yarn A.

Repeat from * 5 times, changing colours as set.  The last repeat will be with B.

Bind off.

Using tapestry needle, with wrong sides facing each other, sew cast on and bind off edges together, leaving a gap at one end of the seam to insert fiber filling.

Fill the ball. Sew rest of seam. Sew a running stitch around top and bottom circles and pull tight.

POLKA DOT BALL

With C, cast on 28 sts.

Knit 1 row

Begin short rows

*Row 1: K 18, turn

Row 2: Slip 1 knitwise, p7

Row 3: Slip 1, k8

Row 4: Slip 1, p9

Row 5: Slip 1, k10

Row 6: Slip 1, p11

Rows 7-21: Continue as set, ending Slip 1, k26.

Next row: Slip 1, k27.

Repeat from * 5 times. Bind off.

Using a tapestry needle, with wrong sides facing each other, sew cast on and bind off edges together, leaving a gap at one end of the seam to insert fibre filling.

Fill the ball. Sew rest of seam. Sew a running stitch around top and bottom circles and pull tight.

Sew on appliqué dots. 

MAKING A FABRIC POLKA DOT

Read photos clockwise from top left.

1.To make a polka dot, cut a paper circle 4cm in diameter. Lay it out on your fabric and cut around, leaving a 1.5cm edge for hem.

2. With needle and thread, sew a running stitch around the edge of the fabric. Secure running stitch and pull tight so that it naturally folds over the circle.

3. Press with an iron, RS facing (do NOT use a hot iron on the paper). Remove the paper.

4. The polka dot is ready for sewing (see photo below).