Are you in need of some last-minute Christmas decorations? Or looking for ornaments that will survive both kids and cats?
These knitted snowballs are the perfect solution! They knit up quickly (well, unless you decide to make a gigantic one), and due to them being all yarn, nothing can break, and no risk of dangerous glass lying around!
This is also more of a general recipe than a pattern: you can enter your own gauge and desired size, and the pattern will automatically adjust. Isn’t that neat?
And using the snowballs as tree ornaments is only the beginning. They could also be used for indoor snowball fights – or outdoor if you live in a warmer climate. Or sew three together to make a snowman. Or make them in brighter colors for some fake ice cream toys…
Materials
- Teddy bear or faux fur yarn – E.g. Rico Design Baby Teddy Aran
- DPN or circular knitting needles in a size matching your yarn
- Polyester filling
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
Notes
- With a gauge of 17 sts / 4” this will result in snowballs with a diameter of about 3.5”
- Adjust the numbers of stitches you cast on depending on your gauge and how big you’d like your snowball to be
- The final size of your snowball will also depend on how much you stuff it as knitted fabric is quite stretchy
- Measuring gauge can be tricky with teddy or faux fur yarn. Use your yarn’s label as guidance
- I have used Rico Design’s Baby Teddy Aran yarn and I am very happy with the results! The texture resembles snow and it even sparkles a little in the light!
Pattern
- Cast on 35 sts
- Join for working in the round – don’t worry about a gapless join, as we will close the beginning and end anyways.
- Keep knitting in the round until the piece (laid flat) is about as high as it is wide.
- Cut the yarn. Using the tapestry needle, thread the tail through all the loops on the needle, and pull tight.
Use the end to form a little hoop to hang the ball. Alternatively, you can also use some other pretty
yarn or ribbon to make the hook. - Using polyester filling, stuff, and shape the ball.
- Using the tapestry and the tail of the cast on (or a bit of scrap yarn), thread the yarn through the stitches (approx. through every 2nd stitch) and pull tight to close.
- Weave in all ends by pulling them through the ball with the tapestry needle and cut the yarn.
Abbreviations
CO – Cast on
K – Knit
sts – stitches
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I want to make a few for the grandkids. Just plain knit. I have a pattern want to know if there is a way to keep them longer with a spray or something ?
I’ve had my knitted snowballs for a few years now and they’ve been through a lot (stored at the bottom of boxes, the cats played with them, etc…) and they still hold up great! So as long as the yarn you’re using is somewhat durable, I don’t think you need to do anything extra. If you’re worried about your yarn not being sturdy enough you could for example hold it together with a thin but strong thread.
My name is Carol Paskewitz, I teach knitting and crochet through the Community Education program of the Pequot Lakes Public Schools in North Central Minnesota. You can access their class catalog on their website if you wish.
I would like permission to use your knit snowball pattern in my October class of Knit Christmas Ornaments, One focus of the class is to expose students to using more unique materials and techniques. I know I can ask students to bring their own copy of the pattern to class, but i have had problems with this in the past. I would of course include all of your copyright information with copies of the pattern. I have made two samples so far using different yarns and have been very pleased with the way they turned out.
Thank you for your attention Carol Paskewitz
Hi Carol, I am very honored that you chose my pattern for your class! Yes, please feel free to distribute the pattern in your class. Happy knitting, Steffi