Crochet can be worked in two ways: in rows or in rings. A flat item, such as a blanket, is created with rows of stitches worked in one direction, then turned and worked back. Spherical and round pieces, such as the ball, are made by crocheting rounds of stitches in a continuous circle; the work is never turned. Typically, beginners find it easier to use a pattern worked in rows.

Blanket How-To
We twisted red yarn with salmon to create a subtle tweed for the stripes, but a single color can be just as striking. This blanket, which measures about 33 by 36 inches, is too large to be made from a single skein or ball of yarn, so you will need to join new yarn. Whenever possible, join yarn of either color at the beginning of a row.

Materialseven 100-gram skeins of natural-color double-knitting cotton yarn
50 grams of red fingering-weight yarn
50 grams of salmon fingering-weight yarn (for single-color stripes, use 100 grams of double-knitting cotton yarn)
One crochet hook U.S. size G6 (4.0 mm); one yarn needle

Gauge: 13 stitches by 12 rows equals 3 square inches

To begin: Make your foundation row with 168 ch in natural.

Row 1: 1 sc into second ch from hook, then 1 sc into each ch to end of row, t-ch, turn.

Rows 2 to 176: 1 sc in each ch to end of row, t-ch, turn. To create stripes, change yarn from natural to red/salmon for rows 9 to 15, 22 to 27, 152 to 157, and 164 to 170, changing back to natural when each stripe is completed. Finish off, and use a yarn needle to weave in ends. Press blanket lightly with a steam iron.

Ball How-To
Once you've made a ball, you can fill it with fiberfill to make a squishy baby toy, or try filling one with catnip for your favorite feline. Our stuffed ball is made from two half-spheres sewn together. The main pattern here is for a solid-colored ball, but we've included instructions for the striped and color-band balls, plus different sizes. The finished full-size ball measures 13 inches in circumference.

Materials:
50 grams of red fingering-weight wool yarn for solid-colored ball
(for striped, add natural-colored or white yarn)
One crochet hook U.S. size D3 (3.25 mm)
Polyester fiberfill
One yarn needle

Gauge: 21 stitches by 24 rows equals 3 square inches

To begin: ch 2, then join stitches with a sl st. This is the foundation ring.

Round 1: 6 sc into second ch from hook.

Round 2: 2 sc in each of 6 sts of previous round. Mark end of round with scrap piece of yarn in contrasting color; move yarn to the end of each subsequent round as you finish it.

Round 3: *1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st*. Repeat from * to * to end of round.

Round 4: *1 sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st*. Repeat from * to * to end of round.

Round 5: *1 sc in each of next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st*. Repeat from * to * to end of round.

Round 6: *1 sc in each of next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st*. Repeat from * to * to end of round.

Round 7: *1 sc in each of next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st*. Repeat from * to * to end of round. *1 sc in each of next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st*. Repeat from * to * to end of round.

Round 8: *1 sc in each of next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st*. Repeat from * to * to end of round.

Round 9: *1 sc in each of next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st*. Repeat from * to * to end of round.

Round 10: *1 sc in each of next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st*. Repeat from * to * to end of round.

Round 11: *1 sc in each of next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st*. Repeat from * to * to end of round.

Round 12: *1 sc in each of next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st*. Repeat from * to * to end of round.

Round 13: *1 sc in each of next 11 sts, 2 sc in next st*. Repeat from * to * to end of round.

Round 14 to 21:1 sc in each st to end of round. Finish off.

To make the other half: Repeat.

To join halves: Thread yarn needle with generous length of yarn. With right sides facing, sew halves together; leave 1-inch opening. Turn ball right side out. Stuff ball through opening until firm but not too hard. Thread needle with yarn; sew closed with whipstitch. Secure with a knot; weave in ends.

Striped ball: Work rounds 1 to 3 in natural or white, then rounds 4 to 6 in red. Alternate colors every 3 rows. Repeat for other half. Use same color sequence for both halves.

Color-band ball: Work rounds 1 to 18 in natural or white. At the beginning of round 19, join red or contrasting yarn. Work rounds 19 to 21. Finish off. Repeat for other half.

Different sizes: To make a smaller ball, skip rounds 10 to 13, and omit rounds 19 to 21. For a larger ball, use full pattern with a larger hook and heavier yarn.

Crochet Abbreviations st(s)= stitch(es)

sl st(s)= slip stitch(es)

ch(s)= chain stitch(es)

t-ch= turning chain

sc(s)= single crochet(s)

dc= double crochet

Repeat from * to *= Asterisks indicate that you must repeat the instructions between them.