Soft Ball / Stress Ball - Knitted

 

Soft Ball / Stress Ball 

Soft Ball /  Stress Ball

 

Requirements:

DK yarn

3.5mm (or 3.25mm) needles

Polyester stuffing

 

Instructions:              Circumference around 8½”

Cast on 6sts

Row 1:          Kfb in first 5sts, k1             (11sts)

Row 2:          Purl

Row 3:          (K1, kfb) 5 times, k1          (16sts)

Row 4:          Purl

Row 5:          (K2, kfb) 5 times, k1          (21sts)

Row 6:          Purl

Row 7:          (K3, kfb) 5 times, k1          (26sts)

Row 8:          Purl

Row 9:          (K4, kfb) 5 times, k1          (31sts)

Row 10:        Purl

Row 11:         (K5, kfb) 5 times, k1          (36sts)

Row 12:        Purl

Row 13:         (K6, kfb) 5 times, k1          (41sts)

Row 14:        Purl

Row 15:         (K7, kfb) 5 times, k1          (46sts)

Row 16:        Purl

Row 17:         Knit

Row 18:        Purl

Repeat the last 2 rows once more

Row 21:        (K7, k2tog) 5 times, k1       (41sts)

Row 22:        Purl

Row 23:        (K6, k2tog) 5 times, k1       (36sts)

Row 24:        Purl

Row 25:        (K5, k2tog) 5 times, k1       (31sts)

Row 26:        Purl

Row 27:        (K4, k2tog) 5 times, k1       (26sts)

Row 28:        Purl

Row 29:        (K3, k2tog) 5 times, k1       (21sts)

Row 30:        Purl

Row 31:        (K2, k2tog) 5 times, k1       (16sts)

Row 32:        Purl

Row 33:        (K1, k2tog) 5 times, k1       (11sts)

Row 34:        Purl

Row 35:        (K2tog) 5 times, k1             (6sts)

Cut yarn, leaving a ‘tail’  to use for joining

Thread the tail into a sewing needle, pull it through all remaining stitches and gather together

Fasten off securely.

Join side seam most of the way – leaving an opening. Fill with polyester stuffing. Sew the rest of the seam closed. Gather the cast on stitches together, and fasten off securely.

Darn away ends.

I am happy for you to use my patterns for your own use or for charity donations.  

In addition:  You can gift or sell any finished items you make from my patterns.  

However, please do not copy my patterns

Copyright © 2026      ‘made by marianna’       All Rights Reserved

This pattern (the information and photos) may not be copied, shared, 

reproduced or republished on any webpage or website 

Soft Ball / Stress Ball - Crochet

 

Soft Play Ball and Small Soft Ball / Stress Ball

These soft balls are great for play - the smaller size is also perfect for a Stress Ball.

Small Soft Ball / Stress Ball       Circumference around 8½”

Small Soft Ball / Stress Ball

This pattern uses UK terminology

dc = double crochet

increase = make 2 dc in dc on previous round

decrease = dc 2 together (dc2tog)

This ball is worked in the round, so it may be easier to use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of every round.

It may also be helpful to count the stitches after each round, to make sure the stitch count is correct.

 

Requirements:

DK yarn

3.5mm hook

Polyester stuffing

 

Instructions:

Make a magic ring or chain 3 and join with a slip stitch to make a ring

Round 1:  Ch1, make 5dc into ring, slip stitch to join (6sts)

Round 2:  Ch1 then 1dc in same stitch, 2dc in each stitch all around, join with slip stitch   (12sts)

Round 3:  Ch1 then 1dc in same stitch,  * 1dc in next stitch, 2dc in next stitch repeat from * all around,  join with slip stitch (18sts)

Round 4:  Ch1 then 1dc in same stitch,  * 1dc in next 2 stitches, 2dc in next stitch repeat from * all around,  join with slip stitch              (24sts)

Round 5:  Ch1 then 1dc in same stitch,  * 1dc in next 3 stitches, 2dc in next stitch repeat from * all around,  join with slip stitch              (30sts)

Round 6:  Ch1 then 1dc in same stitch,  * 1dc in next 4 stitches, 2dc in next stitch repeat from * all around,  join with slip stitch              (36sts)

Round 7:  Ch1 then 1dc in same stitch,  * 1dc in next 5 stitches, 2dc in next stitch repeat from * all around,  join with slip stitch              (42sts)

Rounds 8 - 14:  Ch1, 1dc in each stitch all around, join with slip stitch                     (42sts)

Round 15:  Ch1, * dc2tog, 1dc in next 5 stitches, repeat from * all around, join with a slip stitch         (36sts)

Round 16:  Ch1, * dc2tog, 1dc in next 4 stitches, repeat from * all around, join with a slip stitch         (30sts)

Round 17:  Ch1, * dc2tog, 1dc in next 3 stitches, repeat from * all around, join with a slip stitch         (24sts)

Round 18:  Ch1, * dc2tog, 1dc in next 2 stitches, repeat from * all around, join with a slip stitch         (18sts)

Pause here - If the starting ring is loose – use the tail to weave around the stitches of the first round and pull it tight. Stuff the ball with polyester stuffing

Round 19:  Ch1, * dc2tog, 1dc in next stitch, repeat from * all around, join with a slip stitch    (12sts)

Round 20:  dc2tog all around (6sts)

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Pull the tail through the last 6 stitches and pull tight to close, Fasten securely and darn away ends.

 

Soft Play Ball                    Circumference around 13”

Soft Play Ball

This pattern uses UK terminology

dc = double crochet

increase = make 2 dc in dc on previous round

decrease = dc 2 together (dc2tog)

This ball is worked in the round, so it may be easier to use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of every round.

It may also be helpful to count the stitches after each round, to make sure the stitch count is correct.

 

Requirements:

DK yarn

3.5mm hook

Polyester stuffing

 

Instructions:

Make a magic ring or chain 3 and join with a slip stitch to make a ring

Round 1:  Ch1, make 5dc into ring, slip stitch to join (6sts)

Round 2:  Ch1 then 1dc in same stitch, 2dc in each stitch all around, join with slip stitch   (12sts)

Round 3:  Ch1 then 1dc in same stitch,  * 1dc in next stitch, 2dc in next stitch repeat from * all around,  join with slip stitch (18sts)

Round 4:  Ch1 then 1dc in same stitch,  * 1dc in next 2 stitches, 2dc in next stitch repeat from * all around,  join with slip stitch              (24sts)

Round 5:  Ch1 then 1dc in same stitch,  * 1dc in next 3 stitches, 2dc in next stitch repeat from * all around,  join with slip stitch              (30sts)

Round 6:  Ch1 then 1dc in same stitch,  * 1dc in next 4 stitches, 2dc in next stitch repeat from * all around,  join with slip stitch              (36sts)

Round 7:  Ch1 then 1dc in same stitch,  * 1dc in next 5 stitches, 2dc in next stitch repeat from * all around,  join with slip stitch              (42sts)

Round 8:  Ch1 then 1dc in same stitch,  * 1dc in next 6 stitches, 2dc in next stitch repeat from * all around,  join with slip stitch              (48sts)

Round 9:  Ch1 then 1dc in same stitch,  * 1dc in next 7 stitches, 2dc in next stitch repeat from * all around,  join with slip stitch              (54sts)

Round 10:  Ch1 then 1dc in same stitch,  * 1dc in next 8 stitches, 2dc in next stitch repeat from * all around,  join with slip stitch              (60sts)

Rounds 11-21:  Ch1, 1dc in each stitch all around, join with slip stitch                     (60sts)

Round 22:  Ch1, * dc2tog, 1dc in next 8 stitches, repeat from * all around, join with a slip stitch         (54sts)

Round 23:  Ch1, * dc2tog, 1dc in next 7 stitches, repeat from * all around, join with a slip stitch         (48sts)

Round 24:  Ch1, * dc2tog, 1dc in next 6 stitches, repeat from * all around, join with a slip stitch         (42sts)

Round 25:  Ch1, * dc2tog, 1dc in next 5 stitches, repeat from * all around, join with a slip stitch         (36sts)

Round 26:  Ch1, * dc2tog, 1dc in next 4 stitches, repeat from * all around, join with a slip stitch         (30sts)

Round 27:  Ch1, * dc2tog, 1dc in next 3 stitches, repeat from * all around, join with a slip stitch         (24sts)

Round 28:  Ch1, * dc2tog, 1dc in next 2 stitches, repeat from * all around, join with a slip stitch         (18sts)

Pause here - If the starting ring is loose – use the tail to weave around the stitches of the first round and pull it tight. Stuff the ball with polyester stuffing

Round 29:  Ch1, * dc2tog, 1dc in next stitch, repeat from * all around, join with a slip stitch    (12sts)

Round 30:  dc2tog all around (6sts)

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Weave the tail through the last 6 stitches and pull tight to close, Fasten securely and darn away ends.

I am happy for you to use my patterns for your own use or for charity donations.  

In addition:  You can gift or sell any finished items you make from my patterns.  

However, please do not copy my patterns

Copyright © 2026      ‘made by marianna’       All Rights Reserved

This pattern (the information and photos) may not be copied, shared, 

reproduced or republished on any webpage or website 

JURA Baby Hats

 

JURA BABY HATS

JURA Baby Hat              small premature baby

Size: 

Width:              3¼ʺ (8.25cm) ,  6½ʺ (16.5cm) all around

Height:             3¼ʺ (8.25cm)

 

Requires:

DK yarn ~ around 6g - 8g

4mm needles

 

Instructions: 

Cast on 36sts

Rows 1, 2 & 3:    Knit

Row 4:             S1, purl to last st, k1

Knit 5 rows

Row 10:           S1, purl to last st, k1

Knit 5 rows

Row 16:           S1, purl to last st, k1

Row 17:          S1, knit to end

Row 18:           S1, purl to last st, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows once more

 

Shape the top ~ 

Row 1:             *K3, k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                           (29sts)

Row 2:             S1, purl to last st, k1

Row 3:             *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                           (22sts)

Row 4:             S1, purl to last st, k1  

Row 5:             *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                           (15sts)

Row 6:             S1, purl to last st, k1

Row 7:             * K2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                                (8sts)    

Row 8:             S1, purl to last st, k1

  

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’ to use for sewing up

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and darn away ends.

JURA Baby Hat              medium premature baby

 

Size: 

Width:              4¼ʺ (11cm),    8½ʺ (22cm) all around

Height:             4¼ʺ (11cm)

 

Requires:

DK yarn ~ around 10g - 12g

4mm needles

 

Instructions: 

Cast on 46sts

Rows 1, 2 & 3:    Knit

Row 4:             S1, purl to last st, k1

Knit 5 rows

Row 10:           S1, purl to last st, k1

Knit 5 rows

Row 16:           S1, purl to last st, k1

Row 17:          S1, knit to end

Row 18:           S1, purl to last st, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows four times more

 

Shape the top ~

Row 1:             *K3, k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                       (37sts)

Row 2:              S1, purl to last st, k1  

Row 3:              *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                       (28sts)

Row 4:             S1, purl to last st, k1  

Row 5:             *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                       (19sts)

Row 6:             S1, purl to last st, k1  

Row 7:             * K2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                            (10sts)                        

Row 8:             S1, purl to last st, k1           

 

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’ to use for sewing up

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and darn away ends.

 

 

JURA Baby Hat              large premature baby / small newborn

 

Size:

Width:              5¼ʺ (13.5cm),    10½ ʺ all around

Height:             5ʺ (13cm)

 

Requires:

DK yarn ~ around 12g – 14g

4mm needles

 

Instructions: 

Cast on 57sts

Rows 1, 2 & 3:    Knit

Row 4:             S1, purl to last st, k1

Knit 5 rows

Row 10:           S1, purl to last st, k1

Knit 5 rows

Row 16:           S1, purl to last st, k1

Row 17:          S1, knit to end

Row 18:           S1, purl to last st, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows five times more

 

Shape the top ~

Row 1:       * K5, k2tog, repeat from * last st, k1                                        (49sts)

Row 2:        S1, purl to last st, k1

Row 3:       * K4, k2tog, repeat from * to last s, k1                                     (41sts)

Row 4:        S1, purl to last st, k1Knit

Row 5:       * K3, k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                                    (33sts)

Row 6:        S1, purl to last st, k1

Row 7:       * K2, k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                                    (25sts)

Row 8:        S1, purl to last st, k1

Row 9:        * K1, k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                                    (17sts)

Row 10:       S1, purl to last st, k1

Row 11:      * K2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                                          (9sts)

Row 12:      S1, purl to last st, k1

 

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’ to use for sewing up

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and darn away ends.

 

 

JURA Baby Hat              0 – 3 months

 

Size: 

Width:    6ʺ (15cm),   12ʺ (30cm) all around 

Height:   5½ ʺ (14cm)

 

Requires:

DK yarn ~ around 12g – 14g

4mm needles

 

Instructions: 

Cast on 64sts

Rows 1, 2 & 3:    Knit

Row 4:             S1, purl to last st, k1

Knit 5 rows

Row 10:           S1, purl to last st, k1

Knit 5 rows

Row 16:           S1, purl to last st, k1

Row 17:          S1, knit to end

Row 18:           S1, purl to last st, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows eight times more

 

Shape the top

Row 1:             * K5, k2tog, repeat from * last st, k1                                           (55sts)

Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 :              S1, purl to last st, k1

Row 3:             * K4, k2tog, repeat from * to last s, k1                                       (46sts) 

Row 5:             * K3, k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                                       (37sts)

Row 7:             * K2, k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                                       (28sts)

Row 9:             * K1, k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                                       (19sts)

Row 11:           * K2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1                                             (10sts)

Row 12:            S1, purl to last st, k1     

                                                    

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’ to use for sewing up

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure 

Sew up side seam and darn away ends.

 

JURA Baby Hats

I am happy for you to use my patterns for your own use or for charity donations.  

In addition:  You can gift or sell any finished items you make from my patterns.  

However, please do not copy my patterns

Copyright © 2026      ‘made by marianna’       All Rights Reserved

This pattern (the information and photos) may not be copied, shared, reproduced

or republished on any webpage or website 

Red Hats for Hospitals

Red Ribby Hats

 

Many Hospitals and Maternity Units in the UK welcome donations of Baby Hats in a range of sizes – BUT they all seem to have different requirements.

Please check what is needed!  The truth is - hospitals have very little facility for storage – and what is donated but not required - is often simply dumped in an incinerator.  It is not about donating what you like to make – it is about suppling what is needed and wanted.

Please ask.

 

Many maternity units use Red Hats as a way of identifying babies that need extra care, including requiring more observations than is the normal routine.

 

These little Ribby Hats are very practical as they are so stretchy and forgiving - and fit well on a variety of different sizes of heads. This pattern includes instructions for a Beanie Style Hat and a Hat with a turn up.

     

   

Ribby ~ Baby Hats            

4mm needles

DK yarn

 

Newborn Baby –  12″ circumference,  5½ ʺ high 

Instructions:

Cast on 64sts

1^st Row:                  S1, * k1, p2, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1

2^nd Row:                 S1, k1, * p1, k2, repeat from * to last 2sts, p1, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows 18 times more

If you want a turn-up brim make your hat 10 rows longer at this point

 

Shape Top ~

Next Row:              S1, * k1, p2tog, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1                    (44sts)

Next Row:              S1, k1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end

Next Row:              K2tog  all across row                                          (22sts)

Next Row:              S1, purl to last st, k1           

Next Row:              K2tog  all across row                                          (11sts)

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’.

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and weave in ends.

 

 

Large  Premature Baby –  11″ circumference,  5¼ ʺ  high

 

Instructions:

Cast on 55sts

1^st Row:                  S1, * k1, p2, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1

2^nd Row:                 S1, k1, * p1, k2, repeat from * to last 2sts, p1, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows 15 times more

If you want a turn-up brim make your hat 10 rows longer at this point

 

Shape Top ~

Next Row:              S1, * k1, p2tog, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1                    (38sts)

Next Row:              S1, k1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end

Next Row:              K2tog  all across row                                            (19sts)

Next Row:              S1, purl to last st, k1           

Next Row:              S1, *k2tog, repeat from * to end                          (10sts)

                                                  

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’.

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and weave in ends.

 

 

Medium Premature Baby –  9″ circumference,  4½“ high

Instructions:

Cast on 46sts

1^st Row:                  S1, * k1, p2, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1

2^nd Row:                 S1, k1, * p1, k2, repeat from * to last 2sts, p1, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows twelve times more

If you want a turn-up brim make your hat 8 rows longer at this point

 

Shape Top ~

Next Row:              S1, * k1, p2tog, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1                    (32sts)

Next Row:              S1, k1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end

Next Row:              K2tog  all across row                                    (16sts)

Next Row:              S1, purl to last st, k1           

Next Row:              *K2tog, repeat from * to end                         (8sts)

                                                       

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’.

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and weave in ends.

 

 

Small  Premature Baby –  7″ circumference,  3½“ high

 

Instructions:

Cast on 37sts

1^st Row:                  S1, * k1, p2, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1

2^nd Row:                 S1, k1, * p1, k2, repeat from * to last 2sts, p1, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows nine times more

 

Shape Top ~

Next Row:              S1, * k1, p2tog, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1           (26sts)

Next Row:              S1, k1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end

Next Row:              K2tog  all across row                                      (13sts)

Next Row:              S1, purl to last st, k1           

Next Row:              S1, *k2tog, repeat from * to end                     (7sts)

                                                               

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’.

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and weave in ends.

I am happy for you to use my patterns for your own use or for charity donations.  

In addition:  You can gift or sell any finished items you make from my patterns.  

However, please do not copy my patterns

Copyright © 2026      ‘made by marianna’       All Rights Reserved

This pattern (the information and photos) may not be copied, shared, reproduced

or republished on any webpage or website