Sunday, February 1, 2009

Pokeball, Go!

I have a gift for all of you Pokemon lovers (or parents of Pokemon lovers out there) in Cyberspace.
But first, a little back story: My two oldest children are ever-so-slightly obsessed with Pokemon. They are also obsessed with throwing things at each other while yelling "Charizard, use Flamethrower!", or "Thunderbolt, Pikachu!" Needless to say, I got sick of the younger one screeching about being hit in the forehead with a plastic Pokeball so I decided to make a slightly softer version. Below, after the little story (made with my oldest son's help as well as a loan of some of his toys), you'll find a super-easy pattern for making your own Pokeball!

It was early in the morning, and Ash and Pikachu were preparing to enter the Safari Zone, when suddenly the spotted a Chansey! Ash realized that this could be a once in a lifetime chance to catch the elusive Pokemon who is said to bring happiness to it's owner.

Ash sent Pikachu out to prepare to battle in the hopes that he could weaken Chansey enough to catch him with his Pokeball. (He does, after all, gotta catch 'em all!)


"Pikachu, use thunderbolt!"

Chansey was down, and Ash threw out his Pokeball in an effort to capture the much coveted Pokemon. No! A miss! Try again, Ash!


Phew! Persistence is a good thing, and Ash's was rewarded with a new Pokemon to call his own!
Crocheted Pokeball Pattern

Materials:
Small amount each of red, black, and white worsted weight yarn.
G hook
Fiberfill or stuffing material of your choice.
Scissors
Yarn needle
Stitch marker

Ball:
Note: This pattern is worked in continuous rounds, so be sure to place your stitch marker in the first st of each row to avoid losing your place!
With white yarn, ch2.
Round 1: Work 8 sc in second ch from hook.
Round 2: Inc in each sc around. (16 sc)
Round 3: (Sc in next sc, inc in next) around. (24sc)
Round 4: (Sc in next two sc, inc in next) around. (32sc)
Rounds 5-8: Sc in each sc around. Sw to black yarn.
Round 9: Sc in each sc around. Break off yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.
With red yarn, ch 2.
Repeat rounds 1-8 as for first half. Break off yarn, weave in ends.
Using long tail, sew the two halves together, stuffing firmly before fully closed. Weave in ends.

Button:
With white yarn, ch 2.
Round 1: Work 6 sc in second ch from hook. Join with sl st to first sc. Break off yarn.
Round 2. Join black yarn in any sc. Inc in each sc around. (10 sc). Break off yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Attach the button to middle of the ball right over where you did your color changes. Weave in ends.

Now go throw it at somebody!




18 comments:

  1. This is awesome thanks!

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  2. My 8 yr. old was asking for me to make a pokeball. I knit so I told him that I would look for a easy crochet pattern for a ball and try to change the colors. You just made my life to easy. He loved the story too. Thank you!

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  3. Thanks for your comments, I appreciate them!

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  4. That's cool! I should make one for my little brother!

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  5. I Just made one for my son, Hope it is ok that I put your link under the pic of my son holding his on my blog :)
    Thanks, i had fun making that.
    He thanks you to LOL He was the one that came across your blog here :)


    *Renee & Jacob

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  6. Oh my goodness, I have been looking for a PokéBall hacky sack for years, I'm so glad I found this pattern so I can just make my own! Thank you for posting!

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  7. I dont understand the abbreviation used for round 2 of the ball part, can anyone please clear this up for me? thank you

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  8. LadyAllyria, it means to increase in each single crochet stitch in the round. In other words, work 2 single crochet stitches in each of the existing single crochet stitches in the round. You will end with 16 sc stitches for the round. Hope that helps :)

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  9. I am so grateful to you. My son wanted a Pokemon party, and I needed favors to match the theme. I couldn't afford to buy $5 Pokemon balls or favors. I found your easy instructions and crocheted these Pokeballs and gave them to the kids. They were such a hit. Parents are STILL talking about them. You made me a hero and gave me the title "SuperMom." The instructions were easy to follow and the balls were quick to make. THANKS!!!

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  10. Thank you ever so much! I have to kids that are totally obsessed with Pokemon at the moment. Wearing pokemon shirts and dresses that I've made for them. Throwing imaginary Pokeballs on each other. Watching DVD and playing Wii!

    Now I will surprise them with Pokeballs!

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  11. I made a mini version of this based on your pattern for a cat toy. It turned out very cute!

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  12. I'm 12 years old and I found this crochet tutorial really easy! It was really fun, even though it did take me 2 hours... :P. I loved this! Thanks!

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  13. I made the pokeball but it ended up like a cylindrical-ish capsule rather than a sphere. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong? ):

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  14. Hmm, is it possible that you didn't increase enough, or did more rows of just sc than the pattern calls for? If you have a ravelry page with a photo that I could look at I may be able to help.

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  15. Thank you so much for this pattern! My hubby really wanted one, and this was very easy to follow. With all of the lovelies I've been crocheting lately, I got inspired to start a blog and share them. You are one of the bloggers who have inspired me. I am still getting the hang of things, but I included a link on my site back to your pattern giving you all the credit. Thanks!

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  16. Two of my cousins are obsessed with Pokemon and I always have trouble deciding what to get them. This will be great! I could make smaller ones for their book bags. Thanks so much!

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  17. For the button you have a typo in the stitch count somewhere, I believe in the 2nd round (I attempted to count the black stitches on the picture) and I think it should be 12 instead of 10. Or you need to only do 5 white stitches in the first round. Looks like an awesome pattern, going to give it a try but I stink at SC in the round tightly for stuffed objects :(
    -Deanna

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  18. My 15yo daughter wears her Pikachu hoodie, listens to the Pokemon theme song on her ipod, while she chases Pokemon on the cell phone playing Pokemon Go. She requested I make her a pokeball so she can throw a ball in real life at the Pokemon she sees on her phone screen. I LOVED how this pattern worked out. As Deanna pointed out there appears to be an error, but I just went with it and added a couple stitches.

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