CloudPuff Eco Tumble Balls Free Pattern
Round 4: [2 sc, 1 inc] repeat around. This means: work 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches, then 2 sc in the following stitch; repeat that sequence six times in total around the round. (24 sts)
Round 5: [3 sc, 1 inc] repeat around. This means: work 1 sc in each of the next 3 stitches, then 2 sc in the following stitch; repeat that sequence six times in total around the round. (30 sts)
Round 6: [4 sc, 1 inc] repeat around. This means: work 1 sc in each of the next 4 stitches, then 2 sc in the following stitch; repeat that sequence six times in total around the round. (36 sts)
Rounds 7–12: Work 1 sc in each st around, with no increases. That is six full rounds, each one a plain single crochet in every stitch of the round. The piece will begin to cup into a bowl shape as the sides rise. (36 sts at the end of each of these rounds)
Round 13: [4 sc, 1 dec] repeat around. This means: work 1 sc in each of the next 4 stitches, then work 1 dec (sc2tog) across the following 2 stitches; repeat that sequence six times in total around the round. (30 sts)
Round 14: [3 sc, 1 dec] repeat around. This means: work 1 sc in each of the next 3 stitches, then work 1 dec across the following 2 stitches; repeat that sequence six times in total around the round. (24 sts)
Stuffing step (do this now, before Round 15): Stuff the ball firmly and evenly with fiberfill or scrap cotton yarn until it holds a round shape. Do not overstuff, or the stitches will gap and the filling will show through.
Round 15: [2 sc, 1 dec] repeat around. This means: work 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches, then work 1 dec across the following 2 stitches; repeat that sequence six times in total around the round. (18 sts)
Round 16: [1 sc, 1 dec] repeat around. This means: work 1 sc in the next stitch, then work 1 dec across the following 2 stitches; repeat that sequence six times in total around the round. (12 sts)
Round 17: Work 1 dec in each st around. That is six decreases in total, each one joining two stitches into one. (6 sts)
Assembly and Finishing
There is no seaming to do — the ball is complete as one piece. The finishing steps are below.
Assembly and Finishing
- Close the final hole: Cut the yarn leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread the tail onto your tapestry needle. Pass the needle through the front loop only of each of the remaining 6 stitches, one after another, going around the small circle. Then pull the tail tight — the hole will cinch completely closed. This is the same motion as pulling a drawstring bag shut.
- Weave in the end securely: Push the needle down into the center of the ball and out through the side, then back through the stuffing and out again, going back and forth two or three times. This buries the tail deep inside so it can never work loose in the wash. Trim the yarn close to the surface.
- Weave in the starting tail: Thread the original magic-ring tail onto the needle and run it through the stuffing in the same back-and-forth way, then trim.
- Shape the ball: Roll the finished ball between your palms for a few seconds to even out the stuffing and round the shape.
- Blocking (optional): Cotton benefits from a quick block. Dampen the ball lightly with water — either spritz it or dip it and squeeze out the excess — then roll it between your palms and set it on a towel to air-dry completely, turning it once or twice so it dries evenly. Blocking smooths the stitches and helps the ball hold a neat round shape.
- Make 3–6 balls for a full laundry set. To use, toss them into the dryer with your wet clothes on medium heat. The cotton surface gently lifts and separates fabrics, shortening dry time and softening clothes without chemical sheets.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Color-play sets: Make each ball in a different cotton color — creamy off-white, pale sage, and warm oatmeal look lovely together. Because you change colors only between balls, not within one, this is a zero-risk way to add color.
- Size adjustments: For a larger, heavier ball (about 4 inches), add one more increase round — [5 sc, 1 inc] repeat around (42 sts) — and add one extra plain round to the Rounds 7–12 section. Then add one matching decrease round, [5 sc, 1 dec]Also Check Out: We think you'd love this beautiful pattern on our sister site: Crochet Charming Textured Baby Bloomer Set Free Pattern
