Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Kids Play Ball – Free Knitting Pattern Review

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There is something wonderfully old-school about a handmade knitted play ball, isn’t there? This sweet little Kids Play Ball pattern from CraftBits is a simple free knitting project for making soft striped toy balls, perfect for babies, toddlers, playrooms, or using up those bright leftover bits of yarn hiding in the bottom of the basket.

The pattern uses Aran/12 ply wool and 6mm needles, so it works up fairly quickly and has that lovely chunky handmade look. The instructions are very straightforward, increasing out from 8 stitches, working the body of the ball, then decreasing back down before sewing, stuffing, and gathering the ends closed. It is one of those quick knitting patterns that feels wonderfully satisfying because you end up with something useful and giftable, not just another half-finished square sitting in the “I’ll get back to that” pile.

I especially like this project as a beginner-friendly knitted toy pattern, though new knitters may want to take a little care when shaping and stuffing so the ball stays nicely rounded rather than pear-shaped — because yes, we have all made a “ball” that looked suspiciously like a vegetable at some point.

This would be a lovely handmade baby shower gift, a soft indoor play toy, or a stash-busting project for bright yarn scraps. Use washable yarn if it is going to be loved by little hands, and a bag of toy stuffing from Amazon or your local craft store will make several balls, so it is a nice budget-friendly make too.

You can find the free pattern over on CraftBits here: Kids Play Ball. The project page describes it as a free knitting pattern for a striped ball and includes the basic materials and shaping instructions.

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A Nostalgic Christmas Pudding Knitting Pattern for Your Handmade Decorations

There are some Christmas decorations I’ll always have a soft spot for, and a little knitted Christmas pudding is definitely on that list. Brown yarn, white icing and a cheerful red cherry—it’s a simple combination, but it brings back that lovely feeling of unpacking the handmade decorations each December.

This Christmas pudding knitting pattern from CraftBits is a small decorative project worked on straight needles. If you enjoy knitting Christmas ornaments but prefer to avoid working in the round, the flat construction makes this one worth a look.

A Small Project for Leftover Yarn

One of the appealing things about this project is its modest materials list. The pudding uses brown and white 8-ply yarn, with a little red yarn for the cherry and green felt for the holly leaves. You’ll also need 4 mm needles, stuffing and your usual sewing-up supplies.

It’s the sort of project that sends me straight to the leftover yarn basket. Those small balls that seem too useful to throw away finally have somewhere to go, and you can choose a rich chocolate brown or a softer, more muted shade depending on your Christmas colours.

The felt leaves are a practical finishing touch, too. They give the pudding its familiar festive appearance without adding another fiddly knitted component.

How the Knitted Pudding Comes Together

The pattern begins with 40 stitches and a brown stocking-stitch section. Colour changes introduce the white icing, followed by a white top that decreases towards the centre.

Once the knitting is finished, the piece is sewn together, stuffed and gathered at the bottom. A separately knitted cherry and the felt holly leaves complete the decoration.

I like projects where the finishing makes such a difference. A flat piece of knitting becomes a rounded little ornament, and those final details give it personality. It would look lovely tucked into a Christmas shelf display or sitting among greenery on a mantelpiece. You could also add a securely attached hanging loop for the tree.

A Pattern Detail to Check Before Starting

The design is charming, but the published instructions would benefit from a clearer technical edit. Some readers have reported difficulties with the colourwork rows, particularly the stated row endings.

I haven’t knitted a sample myself, so I wouldn’t describe this as a tested recommendation for a first colourwork project. Before starting, read through the pattern and check that each colourwork row accounts for all 40 stitches. Keep the carried yarn loose enough that the fabric can expand when stuffed.

A little more detail about the cast-on colour, finishing and finished measurements would also make the tutorial easier to follow.

A Lovely Idea for a Traditional Handmade Christmas

What appeals to me most is the pudding’s old-fashioned simplicity. It doesn’t need beads, elaborate embellishments or a perfectly coordinated decorating scheme. The knitted texture and little holly topper do the work.

For knitters comfortable checking a pattern and sewing up small projects, it’s a sweet source of festive inspiration. I’d be tempted to make a small collection in slightly different browns, keeping that lovely homemade character rather than trying to make every pudding identical.

Find the Christmas pudding knitting pattern at CraftBits and read through the instructions and reader comments before casting on.