Amigurumi crochet: Basic shape ball

Crochet a Sphere: Your Perfect Guide for Amigurumi
Welcome to the fascinating world of Amigurumi crochet! Today, we're going to show you how to crochet a perfect sphere – an essential component for many Amigurumi projects. From the head to the paws, the sphere opens up countless possibilities in the art of Amigurumi. This guide will help you step by step to achieve quick successes and create beautiful creations, even as a beginner.

The Beginning: A Magic Ring
First, you start by crocheting a magic ring with six single crochets. The magic ring gives you the perfect starting point. If you've never made a magic ring before, you'll find a detailed guide on our site.

The Art of Increasing
Don't be afraid of increasing – it simply means that your circle will get larger. To achieve a spherical shape, we now need to increase the number of stitches.

How to Increase:

1. Pull the magic ring tight and insert a stitch marker to indicate the end of the round.
2. Insert the hook into the next single crochet of the previous round.
3. Draw up a loop of yarn through the stitch. You should have two loops on your hook.
4. Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook. You now have one loop left – this is your single crochet.
5. To increase, insert the hook into the same stitch of the previous round once again and make another single crochet.

Important: In crochet patterns, you may find instructions to increase every third stitch. This means creating the increase at the third stitch of the round.

Increasing for the Sphere:

1. Magic ring with six single crochets
2. Two single crochets in each stitch to make 12 stitches in total.
3. Two single crochets in every second stitch to make 18 stitches
4. Two single crochets in every third stitch to make 24 stitches
5. Two single crochets in every fourth stitch to make 30 stitches
6. Two single crochets in every fifth stitch to make 36 stitches

Crochet around until you reach the stitch marker and then start the next round. For accuracy, check your "V's" (single crochet stitches).

Shaping the Sphere
Now it's time to crochet upwards. Crochet four rounds with 36 single crochets each, without increasing. This will gradually form a sphere.

Decreasing: The Way to a Perfect Sphere
To complete the sphere, we decrease the number of stitches. This brings the round sphere to its final shape.

How to Decrease:

1. Insert a stitch marker.
2. Insert the hook into the single crochet of the previous round.
3. Draw up a loop of yarn through the stitch, leaving two loops on the hook.
4. Insert the hook into the next single crochet and draw up a loop – leaving three loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over and draw through all three loops, leaving one loop on the hook.

This process is how stitches are crocheted together. If a pattern mentions that every third and fourth stitch should be decreased, crochet the first two stitches normally and then start your decrease.

Decreasing for the Sphere:

1. Round 11: Crochet every fifth and sixth stitch together = 30 stitches
2. Round 12: Crochet every fourth and fifth stitch together = 24 stitches
3. Round 13: Crochet every third and fourth stitch together = 18 stitches
4. Round 14: Crochet every second and third stitch together = 12 stitches

Check your stitch count. After these steps, your sphere should have taken shape.

Super Round and Super Soft
Fill the sphere with some stuffing to give it firmness. Use the end of the crochet hook to assist with stuffing, ensuring the loop doesn't slip off.

Final Round = Final Shape
In the final step, crochet the stitches together until the sphere is completely closed. Complete with a slip stitch: Insert into the next stitch, draw up a loop, and pull the new loop through the existing loop. Finish off and weave in the end, or use it as a practical loop.

Now it's Your Turn!
This guide equips you to crochet spheres for your Amigurumi creations. Visit our online shop to quickly and easily purchase all the materials you need. Let your imagination run wild and create unique Amigurumi!

Happy crocheting!