Baby Jingle Ball - a free knitting pattern

Looking for a quick knitting pattern for a unique baby shower present?  This baby jingle ball can easily be made in an evening and is suitable for all knitting abilities.  It is soft, washable and would make a great baby gift!

Knitting Pattern - Baby Jingle Ball

You will need:
Yarn: 25g ball of Aran / Worsted weight Cotton in each of 2 coordinating colours
Needles: 4mm/UK size 8/US size 6
Yarn needle
toy stuffing
craft jingle bell (optional)
Gauge: 10cm² =  16 stitches, 20 rows in stocking stitch stitch
Measurements:
Finished ball measures approx. 12cm (height)
Abbreviations:
K: knit
P: purl
sts: stitches
rep: repeat
P2tog: purl 2 stitches together to decrease 1 st.
kfb: knit into the front & back of the stitch to increase 1 st.
Tips:
If you knit quite loosely, drop a needle size for a tighter woven fabric which is essential for items that are to be stuffed.

Instructions

Cast on 8 sts with yarn A.
Row 1: *kfb, rep from * to end. (16 sts)
Row 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14: P all sts.
Row 3: *kfb, K1, rep from * to end. (24 sts)
Row 4: As row 2.
Row 5: *kfb, K2*, rep from * to end. (32 sts)
Row 7: *kfb, K3, rep from * to end. (40 sts)
Row 9: *kfb, K4, rep from * to end. (48 sts)
Row 11: *kfb, K5, rep from * to end. (56 sts)
Row 13: *kfb, K6, rep from * to end. (64 sts)
Row 15: change to yarn B & K all sts.
Row 16: P all sts.
Row 17: change to yarn B, *K1, P1, rep from * to end.
Row 18: *P1, K1, rep from * to end.
Rows 19-22: rep rows 17 & 18 2 times.
Row 23: K all sts.
Row 24: P all sts.
Row 25: Change to yarn A & K all sts.
Row 26: *P2tog, P6, rep from * to end. (56 sts)
Row 27: & all remaining odd numbered rows: K all sts.
Row 28: *P2tog, P5, rep from * to end. (48 sts)
Row 30: *P2tog, P4, rep from * to end. (40 sts)
Row 32: *P2tog, P3, rep from * to end. (32 sts)
Row 34: *P2tog, P2, rep from * to end. (24 sts)
Row 36: *P2tog, P1, rep from * to end. (16 sts)
Row 38: *P2tog, rep from * to end. (8 sts)
Break yarn leaving a long tail and thread through all 8 sts.

Making up:

Darn in any loose ends.  With wrong sides facing thread a wool needle onto the tail end and starting at Row 38 sew up the side seam until a 5cm gap remains.  Turn the ball the right side out.  Stuff the ball tightly with toy stuffing, adding a jingle ball to the centre, if desired.  Sew up the remainder of the side seam and sew a row of gathering stitches round the 8 st cast on edge.  Pull tight and fasten off.  Finished and ready to give to baby!

You can also find a PDF version of this pattern here,