Author: Secret Crochet Box

amigurumi

Free No-Sew Crochet Tennis Ball Pattern

Secret Crochet Box

I designed this no-sew crochet tennis ball pattern because I don’t like sewing or embroidering in crochet projects. Also, I have seen all those perfect AI photos of crochet tennis balls and was hesitating at first. But the pattern turned out quite well so I want to share it with all of you guys. It is going to ba a perfect last-minute gift for a tennis fan or just a cute project to use up your yarn leftovers. Enjoy crocheting!

You will need:

  • 3,5 mm crochet hook
  • white and pink (or of a colour of your choice) yarn leftovers that match to the hook size
  • scissors
  • fiberfill
  • metallic key ring (optional)

Abbreviations (US-terms)

  • ch – chain
  • st – stitch
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • sc – single crochet
  • hdc – half double crochet
  • dc – double crochet
  • trc – treble crochet
  • ( … ) – at the end of every round total number of stitches is shown

If it is your first crocheted toy ever, you might want to have a look at my tricks for crocheting amigurumi and ideas for interesting amigurumi stuffing. Also there are some tips how to crochet “zero waste”.I am sure you will find it helpful! Have fun crocheting!

Pattern

First half (pink yarn):

18 ch, now you will crochet around the ch:

Round 1: make a dc in the second from the hook st and then 5 more dc in the same st, dc in next 14 st, 6 dc in the next st (this will create a turning around the ch), dc in next 14 st, sl st in the first dc of the round (40).

Round 2: 2 ch (not counted as st), 2 trc in the first st of Round 1, 3 trc in each of the next 4 st, 2 trc in next st, dc in next 4 st, hdc in next 6 st, dc in next 4 st, 2 trc in next st, 3 trc in each of the next 4 st, 2 trc in next st, dc in next 4 st, hdc in next 6 st, dc in next 4 st, change yarn to the white one and sl st in the first dc of the round (60).

Round 3: 1 ch (not counted as st), sc in the first st of Round 2, sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in the next st, (sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in the next st) X repeat three times, sc in next 17 st, 2 sc in the next st, (sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in the next st) X repeat three times, sc in every st until the end of the round (68).

Fasten off the end, cut the yarn and make another half following the first two rounds of the pattern. Round 3 is only needed for the first half of the ball.

Turn both halfs face down. Insert the hook into the middle st of the short side of the first half of the ball (back loop of a white sc) and then in the middle st of the long side of the second half (both loops of a hdc) and sl st around both halfs using white yarn.

When you have about 10 st left, fasten off and leave really long end before you cut the yarn. You will need it for closing the ball. Turn the ball inside out so the face side is out again and stuff it really full. Pull the long yarn tail through the left 10 st of both sides with a help of your hook. Fasten off, cut the left over yarn and pull the knot into the ball.

Using white yarn make 40 ch. Now insert the hook into a random spot on the ball where you want to hang a key ring and pull the crocheted chain through. Join the chain, fasten off, cut the yarn and pull the knot into the ball.

Attach a metallic ring on the chain if you have one:

Congratulations, it is done! Isn’t it cute? What other colours would you want to crochet it with?

Thanks for following my pattern! If you enjoyed it, make sure you check out my other quick and easy patterns here.

My Inspirations

Yoga Cropped Stash Busting Sweater – Free Crochet Pattern

Secret Crochet Box

I am so excited to announce that my cropped sweater pattern is finally live! This pattern means so much for me, because originally I made the sweater as a stash busting project. Not only using yarn left overs of different colours but also of different weight and fabric. It has been a complete chaos and I did not even think it was possible to write it down as a finished pattern for others to follow. But here I am, a year later releasing the pattern!

I have chosen my birthday to publish the pattern because I feel so connected to this design: for me it symbolizes human kindness (so many nice supporting people have motivated and encouraged me to publish this design, without their feedback I would not be able to go that far) and being respectful to out planet (using random leftovers and not going to a yarn store while making a sweater is a very cool thing and unfortunately it happens rare over here).

Another thing which is really special about this pattern – it is left-handed crocheters inclusive! I tried my best to include references to special stitch tutorials as well as a couple of tips for left-handed makers. I hope it is helpful and everybody is going to feel included.

So here are some key infos about the pattern, that you might want to know:

  • you are going to need 9 mm crochet hook for the sweater body and 6 mm crochet hook for ribbing
  • the pattern is made to measure
  • level is intermediate because you will have to work with yarn of different weights (most likely)
  • you will need 150 g – 650 g of yarn leftovers (estimated for sizes XS – 3 XL). Please note, that this number depends very strongly on fabric so your yardage might differ significantly from these numbers.

I have tried my best to make it easy for you to access the pattern. This site is free of advertisement and I am sharing with you a FREE PDF!!! As I drink a loooot of coffee while working on my tutorials, please consider buying me a cup if you like my pattern:

buy me a cup of coffee

Check out photos of my testers: @knottyninjacrafts, @arkifede_handmade, @malilin_hobby, @crochetlea66, @amberoodle and @nixie_pixie_handmade!

More info about them and their beautiful versions is in my next post! You can also find some inspiration in Instagram using #connectingcroppedsweater or #secretcrochetbox

So if you are ready, click here to download the pattern:

Yoga CROPPED SWEATER FREE CROCHET Pattern
Uncategorized

Camping Van Christmas Tree Ornament – Free Crochet Pattern

Secret Crochet Box

If you are looking for a last minute Christmas gift idea – here it is! More and more people are falling in love with camping lately. Well, it is not surprising: this is the only type of holidays we could make during the pandemy. Why dont we make a Christmas ornament out of the new trend?

You will need:

  • 3,5 mm crochet hook
  • white, red, grey and black yarn leftovers. The white yarn should be a bit thicker than the red one: it will make the upper half of the van look broader than the bottom part. If you do not want this effect – use all four yarns of the same type
  • scissors
  • stitch marker
  • 2 white simple buttons
  • thread and a needle for sewing the buttons
  • fiberfill (I used yarn leftovers to stuff the van)

Abbreviations:

  • ch – chain
  • st – stitch
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • sc – single crochet
  • hdc – half double crochet
  • dc – double crochet
  • inc – 2 sc in 1 st
  • X N – repeat N times
  • ( … ) – at the end of every round total number of stitches is shown

If it is your first crocheted toy ever, you might want to have a look at my tricks for crocheting amigurumi and ideas for interesting amigurumi stuffing. Also there are some tips how to crochet “zero waste”.I am sure you will find it helpful! Have fun crocheting!

Pattern

Back panel (grey yarn):

14 ch, insert the hook in the 2nd from the hook ch

Row 1: sc in each st, 2 ch, turn (13)

Rows 2 – 4: dc in each st, 2 ch, turn (13)

Row 5: dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 9 st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st (15). Note: if all of your yarns are of the same type/thickness, skip the increases, in this case your Row 5 would be identical to Rows 2-4.

Rows 6 – 7: dc in each st, 2 ch, turn (15)

Row 8: dc in each st (15)

Place sc around the back panel (1 sc in each stitch, 2 sc in each corner stitch), fasten off, cut the yarn, weave in the tail.

VW logo:

Round 1 (white yarn): 6 sc in magic ring (6)

Round 2 (black yarn): (sc in next st, inc in next st) X 3 (9). Sl st to the first st of this round

Fasten off and cut the yarn leaving a long tail. Pull the tail through the 5th stitch of the last round, pull it back through the 4th stitch and insert the tail into the 8th stitch. Use the tail for sewing the logo to the front panel later.

Front panel:

Starting with red yarn: 13 ch, insert the hook in the 2nd st from the hook

Rows 1 – 3 (red yarn): sc in in every st, 1 ch, turn (12)

Row 4: sc in next 5 st, change to white yarn: sc in next 2 st (carry the red thread along), change to red yarn (leave the white thread as it is, you will pick it on the way back): sc in next 5 st, 1 ch, turn (12)

Row 5: sc in next 4 st, change to white yarn: sc in next 4 st (carry the red thread along), change to red yarn (leave the white thread as it is, you will pick it on the way back): sc in next 4 st, 1 ch, turn (12)

Row 6: sc in next 3 st, change to white yarn: sc in next 6 st (carry the red thread along), change to red yarn (leave the white thread as it is, you will pick it on the way back): sc in next 3 st, 1 ch, turn (12)

Row 7: sc in next 2 st, change to white yarn: sc in next 8 st (carry the red thread along), change to red yarn (leave the white thread as it is, you will pick it on the way back): sc in next 2 st, 1 ch, turn (12)

Row 8: sc in next st, change to white yarn: sc in next 10 st (carry the red thread along), change to red yarn (leave the white thread as it is, you will pick it on the way back): sc in next st, 1 ch, turn (12)

Rows 9 – 10 (white yarn): sc in in every st, 1 ch, turn (12)

Rows 11 – 14: sc in next 2 st, change to grey yarn: sc in next 8 st (carry the white thread along), change to white yarn (leave the grey thread as it is, you will pick it on the way back): sc in next 2 st, 1 ch, turn (12)

Fasten off the grey thread. Now we are going to crochet around the front panel.

Round 1: With white yarn make sc in each stitch until the end of the row (12), sc again in the last st and place sc in the end of each white row. Change to red yarn when going further to the red half of the van. Fasten off white yarn. Keep crocheting around the red part placing sc in each st and 2 sc in each corner st. Change back to white yarn when going further to the white half of the van and carry on the red thread, go on until the beginning of the round, do not sl st (52).

Round 2: make another round of sc (on sc in each st). Change to red yarn when going further to the red half of the van and change back to white for the last couple of stitches carrying along the red thread. Do not sl st, fasten off white yarn (52).

Round 3: sc in each stitch using red yarn only (52). Do not fasten off, you will keep crocheting around connecting the front panel to the back panel.

Sew the VW logo and the buttons to the front panel.

Place the front panel on the top of the back panel. The right side of the front panel looks up now, the right side of the back panel looks down. Crochet around both panels:

Place hdc in each stitch, 2 hdc in each corner stitch. After completing three sides stuff the van. Continue crocheting until the end of the round. Sl st to the first hdc. Fasten off, cut the yarn and weave in the tail.

Insert the hook in the central stitch of the top side of the van, make 35 ch, sl st to the beginning of the chain (or the next stitch of the van side if it looks more symmetrical). Fasten off, cut the yarn and weave in the tail. Yeeey, you have just completed your camping van ornament!

The van is also doggy approved as a perfect toy 🙂

Did you have fun crocheting this pattern? Check out my other free patterns here!

If you liked this pattern, I would be very happy to receive a small donation from you!

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My Inspirations

Tester Call “Dreamer Crochet Top”

Secret Crochet Box

Hey there!

I am looking for testers for my pattern “Dreamer Crochet Top”. The pattern is really simple and beginner-friendly – only basic crochet stitches are used!

Materials: I used sport-weight yarn (cotton/nylon) and a 6.5 mm crochet hook.

Timeline: application deadline is on Friday, July 30th 2021. I will choose the testers over the weekend and contact them on Monday, August 2nd. After that testers will have 8 weeks (for sizes XS-L) and 9 weeks (for sizes XL-2XL) to complete the pattern/provide feedback/send photos.

Sizes: Pattern is written for sizes XS-2XL. If your size is outside of this range, please apply anyway and I will work on additional sizes with your help 🙂

Thanks so much for reading! If you want to apply for testing, fill out the tester form.

If you have any further questions, contact me here or via instagram.

Your Ana

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My Inspirations

Mosaic Crochet: My First Steps

Secret Crochet Box

One of my crochet new year resolutions is to learn mosaic crochet. I thought it will be complicated and hard with all the colours and yarn ends. So I was pushing forward my first attempt of mosaic crochet for months until I have told myself: I have to try it in 2021!

And directly in January I could test a beautiful mosaic crochet sock pattern by @yarnandfabric. So I am making my first crochet sock ever and I am learning mosaic crochet. Two “firsts ever” in one pattern! So far I love it and the mosaic part is really easy to follow and now I am so motivated to add a mosaic crochet element to all my creations.

What about you? Have you tried mosaic crochet? What is your favouring crochet technique?