Little Crochet Football Pattern

Even though I live in a city that houses two beloved football teams, the Seahawks and the Huskies, I have to admit that I am not the biggest fan of football. I know, it's terrible. However, you'll be happy to know that I have plenty of friends who insist upon sharing the joys of sports with me. One of those friends recently had a birthday, and to show my appreciation for him I went out of my usual designing comfort zone. I created... a football!

It's a sweet and simple little football and I really like it. It's the perfect size to keep on your desk at work, to turn into an ornament, or perhaps even to turn into a baby rattle. In the spirit of sharing, I've decided to post the simple pattern for this ball for free below. I hope you enjoy it! I used about 60 yards of Martha Stewart Crafts Extra Soft Wool Blend (a worsted weight yarn which has tragically been discontinued) for the base of the football and white scrap yarn for the lacing and stripes. I used a US size G6 4mm crochet hook. You'll also need some fiberfill to stuff the football and a yarn needle to stitch it together and add the stripes.

Football Panel (make 3)
Row 1: Ch 2. Work 3 hdc into the first ch. (3)
Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st now and throughout), turn. Work 2 hdc into the first st, work 1 hdc into the next st, work 2 hdc into the last st. (5)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Work 1 hdc into each st. (5)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn. Work 2 hdc into the first st, work 1 hdc into each of the next 3 sts, work 2 hdc into the last st. (7)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Work 2 hdc into the first st, work 1 hdc into each of the next 5 sts, work 2 hdc into the last st. (9)
Row 6: Ch 1, turn. Work 1 hdc into each st. (9)
Row 7: Ch 1, turn. Work 2 hdc into the first st, work 1 hdc into each of the next 7 sts, work 2 hdc into the last st. (11)
Row 8: Ch 1, turn. Work 1 hdc into each st. (11)
Row 9: Ch 1, turn. Work 2 hdc into the first st, work 1 hdc into each of the next 9 sts, work 2 hdc into the last st. (13)
Rows 10 through 13: Ch 1, turn. Work 1 hdc into each st. (13)
Row 14: Ch 1, turn. Work 1 hdc dec over the first 2 sts, work 1 hdc into each of the next 9 sts, work 1 hdc dec over last two sts. (11)
Row 15: Ch 1, turn. Work 1 hdc into each st. (11)
Row 16: Ch 1, turn. Work 1 hdc dec over the first 2 sts, work 1 hdc into each of the next 7 sts, work 1 hdc dec over last two sts. (9)
Row 17: Ch 1, turn. Work 1 hdc into each st. (9)
Row 18: Ch 1, turn. Work 1 hdc dec over the first 2 sts, work 1 hdc into each of the next 5 sts, work 1 hdc dec over last two sts. (7)
Row 19: Ch 1, turn. Work 1 hdc dec over the first 2 sts, work 1 hdc into each of the next 3 sts, work 1 hdc dec over last two sts. (5)
Row 20: Ch 1, turn. Work 1 hdc into each st. (5)
Row 21: Ch 1, turn. Work 1 hdc dec over the first 2 sts, work 1 hdc into next st, work 1 hdc dec over last two sts. (3)
Row 22: Ch 1, turn. Work 1 hdc dec over all three stitches. (1)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Finishing
Two of the three panels will have white stripes sewn with a satin stitch across rows 6 and 7 and also rows 16 and 17. Use a yarn needle and white scrap yarn for the stripes. Next, use the remaining brown yarn tails to sew the three panels together, stuffing the football semi-firmly before you close the final seam. Finally, use the yarn needle and white scrap yarn to sew the lacing of the football along the seam that joins the two striped panels. Weave in all ends securely.