Crochet Stuffed Football

This crochet pattern guides you through making a fun, toss-able football. Featuring white stripes at each end and realistic lace detailing, this project combines simple stitches and techniques, including the magic loop and basic increases and decreases, to form a classic football shape. Ideal for beginners and experienced crocheters alike, this project brings a playful twist to your crochet collection!

Materials Needed:

Abbreviations:

Life-Sized Football Crochet Pattern

Instructions:

Magic Loop: Begin with brown yarn and create a magic ring (ML).

Round 1: 6 SC in the magic loop. (6)

Round 2: INC in each stitch around. (12)

Round 3: (1 SC, INC) around. (18)

Round 4: (SC) around. (18)

Round 5: (2 SC, INC) around. (24)

Round 6: (SC) around. (24)

Round 7: (3 SC, INC) around. (30)

Round 8: (SC) around. (30)

Round 9: (4 SC, INC) around. (36)

Round 10: (SC) around. (36)

Round 11: (5 SC, INC) around. (42)

Round 12: (SC) around. (42)

Change to White Yarn for the First Stripe:

Round 13: (6 SC, INC) around. (48)

Round 14: (SC) around. (48)

Round 15: (7 SC, INC) around. (54) (This creates the first white stripe at the top of the football.)

Change back to Brown Yarn:

Rounds 16-34: SC in each stitch around with brown yarn (4 ½”/11.43 cm). (54) (Continue building the body of the football.)

Change to White Yarn for the Second Stripe:

Round 35: (7 SC, DEC) around. (48)

Round 36: (SC) around. (48)

Round 37: (6 SC, DEC) around. (42) (This creates the second white stripe at the bottom of the football.)

Change back to Brown Yarn:

Round 38: (SC) around. (42)

Round 39: (5 SC, INC) around. (36)

Round 40: (SC) around. (36)

Round 41: (4 SC, DEC) around. (30)

Round 42: (SC) around. (30)

Round 43: (3 SC, DEC) around. (24)

Round 44: (SC) around. (24)

Round 45: (2 SC, DEC) around. (18)

Round 46: (SC) around. (18)

Round 47: (1 SC, DEC) around. (12)

Round 48: (SC) around. (12)

Round 49: DEC around. (6) (At this point, stuff the football with polyester fiberfill.)

Round 50: SL ST to close. FO and leave a long tail for sewing.

Marking the Laces Position

Using two stitch markers, mark the position for the laces approximately in the center of the brown section of the football, between the white stripes.

Adding the Shoelaces

Using the Dritz® Yarn Needle, thread the shoelace through the marked position on the football to create a long parallel stripe. Then, lace over the long parallel stitch, creating a crisscross pattern that resembles the laces on a real football. Tie off the shoelace securely and trim any excess.

As a substitute, use white yarn for the laces!

Final Touches

Use a yarn needle to weave in any loose ends.