Crochet Your Own Fabulous Accordion Holiday Balls!

Grab your yarn and hook, and let's crochet some super fabulous accordion holiday balls. These are great to hang on your Christmas tree, adding a personal, handmade touch to your holiday decorations. Or, if you are like me, you can even throw them around the house like soft nerf balls! They are so fun. No stuffing is needed for this project, just yarn and a hook. These Christmas Ornament Balls are quick, easy and fabulous!

I love experimenting with different color combinations. The possibilities are endless! Try classic Christmas colors like red, white, and green, or go wild with your favorite hues.

To make these charming Christmas Ornament Balls, you'll need a few basic supplies. Don't worry; most of these are probably already in your crochet kit. Here's what you'll need to gather:

• Yarn: Choose yarn in Christmas colors, or any colors you like! I love using worsted weight yarn for this project.
• Crochet Hook: You'll want a couple of different sizes. A 4.5mm and a 6mm hook are mentioned in the video, so grab both.
• Scissors: For cutting the yarn. A sharp pair is always helpful.
• Darning Needle: This is optional but can be helpful for weaving in ends.

Yarn: As I mentioned, the video used worsted weight yarn. This is a medium-weight yarn that's easy to work with and comes in a wide variety of colors. I find it's perfect for creating sturdy, yet soft, Christmas Ornament Balls.

Hook Size: The size of your hook will affect the size and density of your finished ball.

• A larger hook (6mm) creates a bigger, looser ball. This can be great if you want a more relaxed, squishy feel.
• A smaller hook (4.5mm) creates a tighter, smaller ball. This is ideal if you prefer a firmer, more compact ornament.

Color Choices:

Color is where you can really let your personality shine!

• Consider options for color striping, like white/red/white, for a classic candy cane look.
• Balanced color distribution can create a more symmetrical and visually appealing design.
• Don't be afraid to use scrap yarn for a colorful, eco-friendly project. This is a fantastic way to use up those leftover bits and bobs from other projects.

Before you start crocheting, it's worth thinking about the design choices you want to make. These balls are all about customization, so have fun with it!

In the video, I made a few key design decisions:

• I tried to match colors on both sides of the ball for symmetry. This gives it a polished, balanced look.
• I explored alternative hanging methods, like using golden yarn or thread instead of a yarn loop. This can add a touch of elegance to your ornaments.

The difference between using a 6mm hook versus a 4.5mm hook is noticeable. The 6mm hook creates a larger, more open weave, while the 4.5mm hook results in a tighter, denser fabric. I like both looks, but for a Christmas tree ornament, I prefer the tighter weave of the 4.5mm hook.

It's so important to choose colors that you like and that fit your personal style. After all, these ornaments are going to be hanging on your tree (or flying across your living room!), so you want them to reflect your taste.

Color Placement: The pattern of colors used is another important design element. I used a specific pattern: a star color, a petal color, and a middle join area color.

I suggest experimenting with different ways color can be added to the ball. You could try:

• Using a different color for each round.
• Creating a gradient effect with gradually changing colors.
• Adding pops of color with small, contrasting details.

I also suggest planning your colors before starting to crochet. This can help you visualize the finished product and ensure that you're happy with the overall look. You can sketch out your design or use a color wheel to help you choose complementary colors.

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty! I'm going to walk you through the steps of creating the first layer of the accordion ball. This is where the magic begins!

Creating the Initial Chain:

• Leave a long tail, about 6-7 inches, for tying later. This is crucial for securing the ball and giving it its shape.
• Make a slipknot and chain four. This forms the foundation of your first round.

Forming the Ring:

• Put the hook into the first stitch. This closes the chain into a ring.
• Hold the center open with your finger and thumb. This makes it easier to work into the ring in the next step.
• Slip stitch to close the ring. You now have a small, neat ring to work with.

Creating Double Crochets:

• Chain two. This counts as your first double crochet.
• Make eleven double crochets into the center of the ring. This brings your total to 12 double crochets, including the chain two.
• Work over the yarn tail to secure it. This saves you from having to weave it in later.

Joining the Round:

• Slip stitch to the top of the chain two. This joins the round and creates a seamless finish.

Second Round of First Layer:

• Chain two. Again, this counts as your first double crochet.
• Make two double crochets into each stitch. This increases the number of stitches in the round, creating a wider circle. You should have a total of 24 stitches.

Third Round of First Layer:

• Chain two.
• Make a double crochet into the next stitch.
• Chain one.
• Repeat the double crochet/chain one pattern around. This creates the accordion effect, with spaces between the double crochet pairs. You should have 12 pairs of double crochets with a chain one between each pair.

Finishing the First Layer:

• Chain one.
• Slip stitch to the top of the chain two to join. This completes the round.
• Chain one.
• Cut the yarn, leaving a tail for weaving. This is important for securing the end of the yarn.
• Pull the yarn through to secure. This creates a knot that prevents the yarn from unraveling.

Now that you've mastered the first layer, it's time to move on to the second. This layer is slightly different, as you'll be attaching it to the first layer as you go.

Making the Second Ring:

• Make a slipknot. You don't need a long tail for this one.
• Chain twelve. This creates the foundation for the second ring.
• Slip stitch to the first chain to form a ring. This closes the chain into a ring, just like in the first layer.
• Chain two. This counts as your first double crochet.
• Make 23 double crochets into the ring. This brings your total to 24 double crochets, including the chain two.
• Slip stitch to join to the top of the chain two. This joins the round.
• Chain two.

Attaching the Second Layer to the First:

• Make a double crochet into the next stitch of the second layer.
• Pull the center tail of the first layer through the center of the second layer. This helps to anchor the two layers together.
• Slip stitch the second layer to the first layer by slip stitching into every other chain one space on the first layer. This is where the accordion effect really starts to take shape.
• Continue around, alternating between chain ones and slip stitches. This creates a secure and decorative join.
• Drop the first layer and continue crocheting the second layer. This allows you to focus on the stitches without being distracted by the first layer.
  • Two double crochets into the stitch.
  • Chain one.
• Slip stitch to join the layers together. This completes the attachment.
• Continue this all the way around.

Finishing the Second Layer:

• Slip stitch to join the chain one to the chain two.
• Chain one.
• Cut the yarn, leaving a short tail.
• Pull the yarn through to secure.
• Sew the tail into the center part of the ring. This hides the end of the yarn and creates a neat finish.

Get ready to repeat what you've already learned! Layers three, four, and five are essentially repeats of layer two. By this point, you should be getting the hang of it, and the process will become much faster.

These layers are essentially repeats of layer two. I can not emphasize the importance of consistency in stitch counts and joining points.

Making the Ring:

• Make a slipknot. You don't need a long tail for this one.
• Chain twelve.
• Slip stitch to the first chain to form a ring.
• Chain two.
• Make 23 double crochets into the ring. This brings your total to 24 double crochets, including the chain two.
• Slip stitch to join to the top of the chain two.
• Chain two.

Attaching the Layer:

• Make a double crochet into the next stitch of the layer.
• Pull the center tail of the first layer through the center of the layer.
• Slip stitch the layer to the other layers by slip stitching into the loose chain one space on the other layers.
• Continue around, alternating between chain ones and slip stitches.
• Drop the layer and continue crocheting the layer:
  • Two double crochets into the stitch.
  • Chain one.
• Slip stitch to join the layers together.
• Continue this all the way around.

Finishing the Layer:

• Slip stitch to join the chain one to the chain two.
• Chain one.
• Cut the yarn, leaving a short tail.
• Pull the yarn through to secure.
• Sew the tail into the center part of the ring.

Layer Three:

• Use the olive green yarn. I think this color adds a touch of rustic charm to the ornament.
• Remember that the slip stitch is in the open and loose chain one space on the other layers. This is key to creating the accordion effect.

Layer Four:

• Use the olive green yarn again.
• Rotate until you are at a loose chain one spot. This ensures that the layers are evenly spaced and the ornament looks balanced.

Layer Five:

• Use the red yarn.
• Rotate until you are at a loose chain one spot.

Congratulations, you're almost there! The final layer, or cap, is what will bring everything together and give your Christmas Ornament Ball its finished look.

Making the Initial Ring:

• Leave a long tail (6 inches) for tying. This is important for securing the cap to the rest of the ornament.
• Make a slipknot and chain four.
• Slip stitch to the first chain to form a ring.
• Chain two.
• Make 11 double crochets into the center of the ring. This brings your total to 12 double crochets, including the chain two.

Increasing the Round:

• Slip stitch to the chain two to join.
• Chain two.
• Make two double crochets into each stitch. This increases the number of stitches in the round, creating a wider circle that will form the cap. You should have 24 stitches total, including the chain two.

Attaching the Final Layer:

• Pull the loop up because it's time to tie the string from the first layer to the center string of the last layer.
• Make a regular box knot and pull it as tight as possible. Knot it one more time and a third time. This is what gives the ball its distinctive shape.
• Cut the tails, leaving a centimeter or half an inch.
• Put the hook back in and chain two, and into the next stitch make one double crochet.
• Rotate it until you find a loose chain one spot that's not attached and slip stitch to join, then go back and do your set of two double crochets and a chain one two double crochets and then slip stitch into the next loose chain one spot to join to pin it down.
• You're gonna keep going all the way around same as we have been for this last sixth row.

Finishing the Final Layer:

• Make the last two double crochets in your chain one slip stitch to the top of the chain two to join.
• Slip stitch and chain one to secure.
• Leave a little tail enough to go around.
• Pull your hook in your yarn up and tighten that little knot down to secure.

Now comes the really fun part – shaping the ball! This is where your creation really starts to come to life.

• Thread the yarn onto your needle.
• Put your hook into the loose chain one spots all the way around. This gathers the edges of the cap and creates the rounded shape.
• Pull on your yarn.
• Pull that up good and tight.
• Sew in a little bit and then knot it. This secures the shape and prevents it from unraveling.
• Leave a little loop, you can crochet a loop too, one strand of yarn is nice so it's not too chunky on your tree if you're using it for a Christmas tree decoration.
• Sew this one in across, you want these to be like little star shape so you can give them a little pinch and you want that opening in the center to be shut, so you can just go back and forth until you're happy with it. I find this step to be quite therapeutic, as you can really see the ball taking shape.

Now, let's finish off the other side of the Christmas Ornament Ball. This is similar to the previous step, but with a few minor tweaks.

• Thread your thread that tail, if you cut your tails of course just use another piece of string or another piece of your yarn.
• Go into these loose chain one spots.
• You can decide if you're gonna go up or you're gonna go down, just do the same thing all the time for each of them, just gonna go down, you can decide which way which way you want to do it just keep going into each of these chain one spots including the that were the first one.
• Pull this yarn, maybe I should go into that one right I think so, pull this yarn and you can see how this one it turned into a star also, so now we actually have a ball and it's actually firm.
• Sew this tail in, you can of course use these to hang if you want but I think that starts so pretty I want it to be what I look at on my tree.

You've got a few choices when it comes to hanging your finished ornament.

• You can create a loop with gold or silver thread. This adds a touch of sparkle and elegance.
• Attach the loop to the center of the ornament. This ensures that the ornament hangs straight and looks its best on your tree.

Don't limit yourself to just Christmas trees! These balls can also be used as toys for children. I think it's awesome that the balls are soft and safe for indoor play.

Now it's your turn! I encourage you to leave comments and suggestions. I also invite you to share photos of your finished projects! I would love to see the unique creations that you come up with.

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Thank you so much for following along with this tutorial! I hope you had fun creating your own fabulous accordion holiday balls. Remember to stay hooked for more crochet tutorials!