Kids Play Ball – Free Knitting Pattern

This free Kids Play Ball knitting pattern shows you how to make a soft, striped knitted toy ball using Aran/12 ply yarn and basic knitting stitches. It is a quick and beginner-friendly knitted toy project that is perfect for babies, toddlers, sensory play, handmade gifts, and using up colourful yarn scraps from your stash.

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What you need

Aran (12 ply) wool
Size 10 (6mm) needles

Instructions

There is something so lovely about a handmade toy, especially when it is soft, colourful, and safe enough for little hands to squish, roll, toss, and cuddle. This Kids Play Ball knitting pattern is a simple free project for making a soft striped knitted ball using basic shaping and bright yarn colours.

It is a great little project for using up leftover yarn from your stash — you know, those cheerful half-balls that are too pretty to throw away but not quite enough for a bigger project. Worked in Aran or 12 ply yarn, this knitted play ball comes together fairly quickly and makes a sweet handmade baby gift, toddler toy, or sensory play item.

You can make it in bold rainbow stripes, soft nursery pastels, team colours, or whatever oddments you already have tucked away. Use washable yarn if the ball is going to be played with often, because anything made for kids usually ends up on the floor, in a toy basket, or being lovingly dragged around the house.

This free knitting pattern is beginner-friendly, practical, and a nice quick win when you want to make something useful without committing to a full blanket, jumper, or another project that quietly moves into the unfinished pile.

Cast on 8 sts

Knit twice into every sts (16sts)
Every alternate row is P
Row 3, (K1, inc into next st) to the end. (24sts)
Row 5, (K2, inc into next st) to the end. (32sts)
Row 7, (K3, inc into next st) to end. (40sts)
Continue in this way until there are (56sts)

Work 9 rows

Now begin to decrease.

( K5 , K2 tog to end) (48sts)
P1 Row
Continue in this way until 8 sts remain.

Cast Off.

Sew side seams together stuff and draw together each end.