Arn Balls

My nieces both LOVE yarn, or “arn”, as they call it, but they are too young to learn to knit just yet. While these yarn ball toys don’t quite have the same appeal as mama’s or Auntie Helen’s actual yarn they are still a fun toy, and would also make a fun decoration.

Arn Balls are knit from the bottom up in one piece; the final stitches of the ball become the i-cord yarn strand. While they can certainly be knit on regular needles an i-cord tool makes the long yarn strand much faster to make. Enjoy turning your odds and ends of leftover yarn into pretend yarn!

Yarn

Miss Babs Estrellita

92% superwash Merino wool, 8% Lurex; 400 yd/4 oz (365 m/115 g) skeins

1 skein, shown in XO and Dream Girl (small) and Denim (large)

OR

Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply Toes

100% superwash Merino wool; 133 yd/1.3 oz (121 m/38 g) skeins

1 skein, shown in May Morning (small) and Scarlet Letter (large)

Or approximately 40 (80) yards/ 37 (74) meters of a similar fingering weight yarn.

Finished Measurements

Small (Large)

Circumference: 6¾ (10½”)/17 (26.5) cm

Needles

• US 1 2.25 mm DPNs, 32”/80 cm long circular needle, or favorite method of working small circumferences in the round

Gauge

32 stitches and 46 rounds = 4”/10 cm square in stockinette stitch.

Gauge is not crucial for this project, but you want a fabric firm enough to hide the stuffing.

Notions

• Cordsmith or other i-cord maker (recommended)

• Stitch markers

• Stuffing

• Tapestry needle

This pattern has been professionally tech edited.