Chirripo Short Row Ball by Carol Feller (Free Knitting Pattern)

Skill Level Intermediate
 
Size One size
 
Measurements
Ball circumference: 17½" (44.5cm)
 

Materials
YARN
1 skein Malabrigo Sock, 100% merino, 3.5 oz (100g), 440 yds (402m), in Impressionist Sky (806) super fine
 
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
1 set of US size 2 (2.75mm) straight needles Adjust needle size as necessary to achieve gauge. US size C-2 (2.75mm) crochet hook for provisional cast-on
Waste yarn for provisional cast-on
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Stuffing
 
Gauge
28 stitches and 45 rows = 4" (10cm) in stockinette stitch, blocked
 
Short Row Method Used
 
Pattern Notes
This pattern uses the German method of short rows, which is the fastest option for garter stitch, and will be neatly hidden in this stitch pattern. You can try upsizing this ball by using a chunky yarn with larger needles. It is even possible to make it large enough to use as a footstool!

WEDGE SETUP
Using provisional cast-on, cast on 50 stitches with waste yarn.
 
With working yarn, knit all stitches.
 
SHORT ROW WEDGE
Short Row 1 (RS): Slip stitch knitwise, k47, turn work.
 
Short Row 2 (WS): Slip stitch purlwise with yarn at front of work, pull working yarn up and over the needle, creating a double stitch, k16, p12, k17, turn work.
 
Short Row 3 (RS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k43, turn work.
 
Short Row 4 (WS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k12, p16, k13, turn work.
 
Short Row 5 (RS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k39, turn work.
 
Short Row 6 (WS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k7, p22, k8, turn work.
 
Short Row 7 (RS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k35, turn work.
 
Short Row 8 (WS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k3, p26, k4, turn work.
 
Short Row 9 (RS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k31, turn work.
 
Short Row 10 (WS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k7, p14, k8, turn work.

Short Row 11 (RS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k27, turn work.
 
Short Row 12 (WS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k3, p18, k4, turn work.
 
Short Row 13 (RS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k23, turn work.
 
Short Row 14 (WS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k3, p14, k4, turn work.
 
Short Row 15 (RS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k19, turn work.
 
Short Row 16 (WS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k2, p12, k3, turn work.
 
Short Row 17 (RS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k15, turn work.
 
Short Row 18 (WS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, k1, p10, k2, turn work.
 
Short Row 19 (RS): Slip stitch, pull yarn over needle, knit to end of row.
 
Short Row 20 (WS): Slip stitch knitwise, knit to end of row.
 
Work short rows 1–20 nine more times. Break yarn,
leaving a tail long enough to graft all 50 stitches.

FINISHING
Undo the provisional cast-on, placing all 50 stitches on a second needle.
 
With start and end of ball held together and the right side facing you, graft 40 stitches together and partially stuff the ball. Graft the final 10 stitches and finish stuffing the ball. With the remaining yarn tail, pull the tapestry needle through the slipped selvedge stitches around the end and draw the small hole at the end together. Repeat this at the other side of the ball. Weave in all loose ends.
 
Shape the ball gently to achieve the shape you want. Spray with water or steam to block gently.
 
Excerpted with permission from Short Row Knits by Carol Feller. Copyright (c) 2015 by Carol Feller; published by Clarkson Potter, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.