You are now viewing the Crochet Dryer Balls by guest designer Faydra Kenning.
When I decided to start the Green Living line at Knottie Hooks, dryer balls were one of the first things on my list! They eliminate the need for dryer sheets (Yay!).
This quick crochet pattern can be crocheted in one hour or less.
I can choose to scent them with essential oils or not; and I am supporting small business by purchasing local! I tried a few different methods when designing the dryer balls and had each one tested. The final result is amazing!
Find more: FREE Crochet Patterns for the Home.
Table of Contents
Pattern Overview
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WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE AND HOW TO USE THEM?
When I started making dryer balls wool was the obvious choice for me. I have access to the yarn, access to the roving (yes roving), and I had never heard of alpaca dryer balls… Then it was brought to my attention to use alpaca. I started doing the research on the difference between the two. I searched the internet and read page after page about wool and page after page of alpaca. I asked questions before buying materials about the difference between alpaca and wool… I came the conclusion that the biggest difference is in the dander of the animal.
It turns out that alpaca is more hypoallergenic. So, if you find that you are sensitive to wool, then alpaca may very well be a good alternative. Thankfully for these dryer balls you will not need a lot of material to make them. Although the materials are a little more expensive, they will not break the bank.
To use dryer balls, all you need to do is put them in the dryer… Really that’s it! No more remembering the dryer sheets, no more wasting money on dryer sheets, no more throwing away dryer sheets! Perfect for breaking into the savvy green living lifestyle. You can add your favorite essential oils to them to add fragrance or leave them unscented. If for any reason you feel they are not working as well, throw them in the washing machine and give them a good cleaning. Felted wool and alpaca are like Velcro and they will pick up quite a bit of that lint that your clothes give off.
For the most part I have not found that static is a problem, however, if you live in a dry area you can find many recipes on Pinterest!
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About the Crochet Dryer Balls
The dryer balls are constructed by crocheting sacks then stuffing them with roving.
Project level: Easy
Materials
Crochet Hook Size
Yarn
- Yarn
- Patons Classic Wool (wool) or Bremont Joana Brushed Yarn (alpaca)
- Weight
- 4 Medium Yarn
- Fiber
- 100% wool or 100% alpaca
Yarn amount needed:
2 skeins
One skein is 32 yards.
Other Materials Needed
- Needle
- 5+ oz of Alpaca roving, (find it here) / 5+ of wool roving, (find it here)
- 1 set of panty hose
Gauge
Each dryer ball is approximately the size of a softball when stuffed.
Crochet Pattern Notes
- This crochet pattern is written in US terms.
- Read pattern instructions carefully before beginning to make sure you understand everything. It might save you hours frogging your work & crocheting it again!
- This pattern is written for 1 size
- At the end of each row, the stitch count is given in parenthesis.
Sizes and Measurements
Width: 3” ball
Abbreviations
- Dec = Decrease stitch(es)
- Mc = Magic Circle
- Rep = repeat
- sc = single crochet
We try our best to include all crochet abbreviations in the list above for the crochet pattern, but sometimes we may forget one or two.
Learn more about crochet abbreviations & find a complete list on our Crochet Abbreviations & Terms post.
Techniques You Will Need
Magic Circle (Mc)
- Holding the tail of the yarn between your thumb and index finger, wrap the yarn clockwise around fingers one and a half times and hold with pinky.
- Insert hook under the first wrap around then over the second wrap.
- Pull the second wrap under the first twist your hook,
- Yarn over pull through.
- You now have what looks like a large slip knot on your hook. (when working into the magic circle be sure to work over your tail also. Leave enough tail to pull at the end of round 1.
Whip Stitch
Decrease (Dec)
Insert hook draw up a loop, yo pull through one loop, insert hook into next st, draw up a loop, yo pull through all loops.
Whip stitch
Using you yarn needle; insert needle through the bottom of the front loop pulling the yarn up through the stitch, repeat in each stitch around working from the bottom and pulling the yarn through the front loop only.
This pattern is worked in the round, then cinched at the end to form a sack.
Instructions for the Crochet Dryer Balls
Rnd 1: sc 10 into the mc, slst to beginning (10).
Rnd 2: Ch1 (never counts as a stitch for this pattern), 2sc in same st as the ch1, 2sc in each st around, slst to beginning (20).
Rnd 3: ch1, 1sc in same st as the ch1. 1sc in each st around, slst to beginning (20).
Rnd 4: ch1, 1sc in same st as the ch1. 2sc in next st. *Sc in the next st, 2sc in the next st*. Repeat ** around, slst to the beginning (30).
Rnd 5: ch1, 1sc in same st as the ch1. 1sc in each st around, slst to beginning (30).
Rnd 6: ch1, 1sc in same st as the ch1. Sc in the st. 2sc in the next. *1sc in the next 2 st, 2sc in the next st*. Repeat ** around, slst to the beginning (40).
Rnd 7: ch1, 1sc in same st as the ch1, 1sc in each st around, slst to beginning (40).
Rnd 8: ch1, 1sc in same st as the ch1, 1sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st. *1 sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in the next*. Repeat ** around, slst to the beginning (50).
Rnd 9: ch1, 1sc in same st as the ch1, 1sc in each st around, slst to beginning (50).
Rnd 10: ch1, 1sc in same st as the ch1, 1sc in the next 2sts, decrease over the next 2 sts. *1sc in the next 3sts, decrease over the next 2 sts*. Repeat around, slst to beginning (40)
Rnd 11: ch1, 1sc in same st as the ch1. 1sc in each st around, slst to beginning
Rnd 12: ch1, 1sc in same st as the ch1. Sc in the next st, decrease over the next 2sts. *1sc in the next 2sts, decrease over the next 2 sts, slst to beginning (30).
Rnd 13: ch1, 1sc in same st as the ch1. 1sc in each st around, slst to beginning (30).
Rnd 14: ch1, 1sc in same st as the ch1. Decrease over the next 2sts. *1sc in the next st, decrease over the next 2sts, slst to beginning (20).
Rnd 15: ch1, 1sc in same st as the ch1, 1sc in each st around, slst to beginning (20). Fo leaving a long enough tail to whip stich the opening and pull taught.
Fasten off & cut yarn.
Finishing
Stuff the sack with approximately 2.5+ oz of the desired roving. Using the yarn needle whip stich around the opening and back to the beginning. Pull taught to close, fasten off and secure. Hide any remaining tails.
To felt the ball, place it in a nylon stocking or nylon sock, like pantyhose (tie a knot to separate each ball), wash and dry on HOT. I put them in with my regular wash. After drying remove the stocking. Voila! You’ve made dryer balls!
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