This is just a quick knit for ornamental balls for the christmas tree or hanging ornaments, you could even use them in a handmade wreath.
I have made the pattern as simple as I can so you can then customise them by using patterns or stripes etc. either in the middle section or all the way up. If you search the internet there are loads of charts to follow or just experiment. They are fun to knit and you will have a small collection before you know it ! These fit 5cm polystyrene spheres which can be found on amazon or craft shops. If you knit plain ones try adding some of the glittery sewing threads or one of the textured or glitter yarns which are about.
I use dk yarn and size 3.5mm needles, I used small sock dpn needles just for ease.
The pattern is as follows:
Cast on 8 sts.
K1, Knit into front and then into back of every stitch (Kf in B) to the end of the row. (15sts) Purl 1 row.
(K1, Kf in B) repeat to last stitch Knit 1 (22sts) Purl 1 row
(K2, Kf in B) repeat to last stitch Knit 1 (29sts) Purl 1 row
(K3,Kf in B) repeats to last stitch Knit 1 (36sts) Purl 1 row
Now do 6 rows of stocking stitch adding whatever you want to pattern or stripes.
Then you simply reverse the shaping so the next row is:
(K3,K2tog) repeat to last stitch which you Knit (29sts) Purl 1 row
(K2,K2tog) repeat to last stitch which you Knit (22sts) Purl 1 row
(K1,K2og) repeat to last stitch which you Knit (15sts) Purl 1 row
(K2tog) all across row to last stitch which you Knit (8sts) Now cast off or pull yarn though remaining stitches.
Place the ball in the centre and sew up the seam, use the yarn or add ribbon to hang.
They knit up real quick so if they don’t come up to your exact sizing, add or deduct a stitch at the beginning or use different size needle, but the basics of the increases and decreases works well.