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Ashlea
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If you have a fan of American Football in the house, you might want to grab your hook, worsted weight brown and white yarn, and stuffing to whip up one of these super cute, realistic looking footballs using this free crochet pattern!
Football is a favorite in our house. We love baseball in the spring and summer and football in the fall and winter. Especially with a pot of Beer Chili in the slow cooker or the Low Carb One Skillet Dish on the stove. And ESPECIALLY when our home team, the Kansas City Chiefs, are doing well.
This is the October installment of the 2026 Toy & Game Series – a favorite so far this year! We’ve crocheted all kinds of cool things, and this football pattern goes great with our Soccer Ball Pattern!
Ready to make a football? There are two sizes included in this pattern – a standard size and a mini size that fits in your hand. Of course, if you wanted to make one using fingering weight yarn or embroidery floss, that could be a super cute keychain too!
Grab your brown worsted weight yarn – really any shade will do – and some white worsted weight yarn. You don’t need much! Less than one skein of Brava Worsted in “Sienna” or “Espresso” and “White” pictured. We’re using a smaller hook than we normally would with this yarn so that our stitches are nice and tight.
You’ll also need a bag of stuffing to fill your footballs. More stuffing is generally better since you’ll likely be throwing this around quite a bit.
You could substitute with other brown yarns such as Herrschners Worsted, Comfy Worsted (cotton), Red Heart Super Saver, etc.
Grab the ad-free, printable version of this pattern on Ravelry, Etsy, or right here in the Heart Hook Home Blog Shop. Thank you!
Materials:
Worsted/#4 Weight Yarn
-approx. (50, 150) yards “Sienna” and (20, 50) yards “White”
–Brava Worsted in “Sienna” or “Espresso” and “White” used
Crochet hook in size 3mm or size needed to obtain gauge
Yarn needle
Stuffing
Gauge: 17 sts x 9 rows = 4” using Double crochet
Sizing:
Mini – 6.5” long, 14” circumference
Standard – 11.5” long, 20” circumference
Pattern Notes:
Pattern written using US terms.
The chains at the beginning of each round do not count as a st.
Magic Circle alternative: Ch-4, sl st into first chain creating a circle.
If you need help reading a crochet pattern, make sure you head over here and check out this detailed post.
Abbreviations:
Ch(s): Chain(s)
Dc: Double crochet
Dc2tog: Double crochet two together
Sl st: Slip stitch
St(s): Stitch(es)
Standard Size Football Pattern:
With Brown yarn…
Round 1: Magic Circle. Ch-2, 6dc in circle. Join to top of first st with a sl st and pull tight. (6)
Round 2: Ch-2, turn, 2dc in each st around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (12)
Round 3: Ch-2, turn, 2dc in each st around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (24)
Round 4: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (32)
Round 5: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 3 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (40)
Round 6: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 4 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (48)
*switch to white yarn
Round 7: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 5 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (56)
Round 8: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 6 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (64)
*switch back to brown yarn
Round 9: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 7 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (72)
Round 10: Ch-2, turn, dc in each st around. Join to top of fist st with a sl st. (72)
Round 11: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 8 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (80)
Round 12: Repeat round 10 (80)
Round 13: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 9 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (88)
Rounds 14 through 17: Repeat round 10 (88)
Round 18: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 9 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (80)
Round 19: Repeat round 10 (80)
Round 20: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 8 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (72)
Round 21: Repeat round 10 (72)
*switch to white yarn
Round 22: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 7 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (64)
Round 23: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 6 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (56)
*switch back to brown yarn
Round 24: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 5 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (48)
Round 25: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (40)
Round 26: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (32)
Round 27: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (24)
Finish stuffing the football as firmly as desired.
Round 28: Ch-2, turn, dc2tog around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (12)
Round 29: Ch-2, turn, dc2tog around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (6)
Fasten off leaving a long enough tail for cinching the hole shut. Use the outside loops only and pull tight. Weave in all ends.
Mini Football Pattern:
Round 1: Magic Circle. Ch-2, 6dc in circle. Join to top of first st with a sl st and pull tight. (6)
Round 2: Ch-2, turn, 2dc in each st around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (12)
Round 3: Ch-2, turn, 2dc in each st around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (24)
Round 4: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (32)
*switch to white yarn
Round 5: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 3 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (40)
Round 6: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 4 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (48)
*switch back to brown yarn
Round 7: Ch-2, turn, dc in each st around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (48)
Round 8: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 5 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (56)
Rounds 9 through 11 : Repeat round 7 (56)
Round 12: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 5 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (48)
*switch to white yarn
Round 13: Repeat round 7 (48)
Round 14: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (40)
*switch back to brown yarn
Round 15: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (32)
Round 16: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (24)
Pull yarn straight on through and thread your yarn needle. Feed the yarn to the inside of the football, at the same spot that the last white “stitching” ended. Create five “laces” perpendicular to the Top Stitch. When finished, weave the yarn tails to the inside and weave in just a bit using the other white strands to keep the ends from going anywhere.
Round 17: Ch-2, turn, dc2tog around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (12)
Finish stuffing the football as firmly as desired.
Row 18: Ch-2, turn, dc2tog around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (6)
Fasten off leaving a long enough tail for cinching the hole shut. Use the outside loops only and pull tight. Weave in all ends.
That’s it! I hope you and the football lover in your life loves their new footballs! Which size are you making, and who are you making it for? I can’t wait to see! Please tag @HeartHookHome if you share on social media.
Free Fidget Toy Crochet Patterns
Board Game Pouch Crochet Pattern
Easy Crochet Memory Match Game Pattern
Yard Dice Free Crochet Pattern
Tic-Tac-Toe Board Crochet Pattern
Puzzle Piece Sorter Bowl Crochet Pattern
The post How to Crochet an American Football (Mini and Standard Size Patterns) appeared first on Heart Hook Home.
Standard Size Football Crochet Pattern
Football is a favorite in our house. We love baseball in the spring and summer and football in the fall and winter. Especially with a pot of Beer Chili in the slow cooker or the Low Carb One Skillet Dish on the stove. And ESPECIALLY when our home team, the Kansas City Chiefs, are doing well.
This is the October installment of the 2026 Toy & Game Series – a favorite so far this year! We’ve crocheted all kinds of cool things, and this football pattern goes great with our Soccer Ball Pattern!
Ready to make a football? There are two sizes included in this pattern – a standard size and a mini size that fits in your hand. Of course, if you wanted to make one using fingering weight yarn or embroidery floss, that could be a super cute keychain too!
Grab your brown worsted weight yarn – really any shade will do – and some white worsted weight yarn. You don’t need much! Less than one skein of Brava Worsted in “Sienna” or “Espresso” and “White” pictured. We’re using a smaller hook than we normally would with this yarn so that our stitches are nice and tight.
You’ll also need a bag of stuffing to fill your footballs. More stuffing is generally better since you’ll likely be throwing this around quite a bit.
You could substitute with other brown yarns such as Herrschners Worsted, Comfy Worsted (cotton), Red Heart Super Saver, etc.
Grab the ad-free, printable version of this pattern on Ravelry, Etsy, or right here in the Heart Hook Home Blog Shop. Thank you!
Materials:
Worsted/#4 Weight Yarn
-approx. (50, 150) yards “Sienna” and (20, 50) yards “White”
–Brava Worsted in “Sienna” or “Espresso” and “White” used
Crochet hook in size 3mm or size needed to obtain gauge
Yarn needle
Stuffing
Gauge: 17 sts x 9 rows = 4” using Double crochet
Sizing:
Mini – 6.5” long, 14” circumference
Standard – 11.5” long, 20” circumference
Pattern Notes:
Pattern written using US terms.
The chains at the beginning of each round do not count as a st.
Magic Circle alternative: Ch-4, sl st into first chain creating a circle.
If you need help reading a crochet pattern, make sure you head over here and check out this detailed post.
Abbreviations:
Ch(s): Chain(s)
Dc: Double crochet
Dc2tog: Double crochet two together
Sl st: Slip stitch
St(s): Stitch(es)
Standard Size Football Pattern:
With Brown yarn…
Round 1: Magic Circle. Ch-2, 6dc in circle. Join to top of first st with a sl st and pull tight. (6)
Round 2: Ch-2, turn, 2dc in each st around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (12)
Round 3: Ch-2, turn, 2dc in each st around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (24)
Round 4: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (32)
Round 5: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 3 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (40)
Round 6: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 4 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (48)
*switch to white yarn
Round 7: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 5 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (56)
Round 8: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 6 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (64)
*switch back to brown yarn
Round 9: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 7 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (72)
Round 10: Ch-2, turn, dc in each st around. Join to top of fist st with a sl st. (72)
Round 11: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 8 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (80)
Round 12: Repeat round 10 (80)
Round 13: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 9 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (88)
Rounds 14 through 17: Repeat round 10 (88)
Round 18: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 9 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (80)
Round 19: Repeat round 10 (80)
Round 20: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 8 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (72)
Round 21: Repeat round 10 (72)
*switch to white yarn
Round 22: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 7 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (64)
Round 23: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 6 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (56)
*switch back to brown yarn
Round 24: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 5 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (48)
Round 25: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (40)
Add the Laces:
Prepare “laces” yarn by cutting a length of white yarn approx. 2 yards (72”) long. Fold it in half. Insert hook in between the 11th and 12th round (three rounds past the white strip) and pull up a loop using the middle point of that white yarn. For the remainder of the laces you will hold both ends of this yarn as you pull up loops one row above the other. Continue pulling up loops until you have seven white “lace” stitches and you reach the end of round 18 (between 18 and 19, which should also be three rounds from the other white band).
Pull yarn straight on through and thread your yarn needle. Feed the yarn to the inside of the football, at the same spot that the last white “stitching” ended. Create eight “laces” perpendicular to the Top Stitch. When finished, weave the yarn tails to the inside and weave in just a bit using the other white strands to keep the ends from going anywhere.
Make sure all yarn color changes are secure and tuck all yarn tails inside the football. Looking at the “Right Side”, start stuffing, shaping as you go.
Round 26: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (32)
Round 27: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (24)
Finish stuffing the football as firmly as desired.
Round 28: Ch-2, turn, dc2tog around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (12)
Round 29: Ch-2, turn, dc2tog around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (6)
Fasten off leaving a long enough tail for cinching the hole shut. Use the outside loops only and pull tight. Weave in all ends.
Mini Football Pattern:
Round 1: Magic Circle. Ch-2, 6dc in circle. Join to top of first st with a sl st and pull tight. (6)
Round 2: Ch-2, turn, 2dc in each st around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (12)
Round 3: Ch-2, turn, 2dc in each st around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (24)
Round 4: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (32)
*switch to white yarn
Round 5: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 3 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (40)
Round 6: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 4 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (48)
*switch back to brown yarn
Round 7: Ch-2, turn, dc in each st around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (48)
Round 8: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 5 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (56)
Rounds 9 through 11 : Repeat round 7 (56)
Round 12: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 5 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (48)
*switch to white yarn
Round 13: Repeat round 7 (48)
Round 14: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (40)
*switch back to brown yarn
Round 15: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (32)
Round 16: Ch-2, turn, * dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (24)
Add the Laces:
Prepare “laces” yarn by cutting a length of white yarn approx. 2 yards (72”) long. Fold it in half. Insert hook in between the 7th and 8th round (three rounds past the white strip) and pull up a loop using the middle point of that white yarn. For the remainder of the laces you will hold both ends of this yarn as you pull up loops one row above the other. Continue pulling up loops until you have four white “lace” stitches and you reach the end of round 11 (between 11 and 12, which should also be three rounds from the other white band).
Pull yarn straight on through and thread your yarn needle. Feed the yarn to the inside of the football, at the same spot that the last white “stitching” ended. Create five “laces” perpendicular to the Top Stitch. When finished, weave the yarn tails to the inside and weave in just a bit using the other white strands to keep the ends from going anywhere.
Make sure all yarn color changes are secure and tuck all yarn tails inside the football. Looking at the “Right Side”, start stuffing, shaping as you go.
Round 17: Ch-2, turn, dc2tog around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (12)
Finish stuffing the football as firmly as desired.
Row 18: Ch-2, turn, dc2tog around. Join to top of first st with a sl st. (6)
Fasten off leaving a long enough tail for cinching the hole shut. Use the outside loops only and pull tight. Weave in all ends.
That’s it! I hope you and the football lover in your life loves their new footballs! Which size are you making, and who are you making it for? I can’t wait to see! Please tag @HeartHookHome if you share on social media.
More toy and game patterns:
Free Fidget Toy Crochet Patterns
Board Game Pouch Crochet Pattern
Easy Crochet Memory Match Game Pattern
Yard Dice Free Crochet Pattern
Tic-Tac-Toe Board Crochet Pattern
Puzzle Piece Sorter Bowl Crochet Pattern
The post How to Crochet an American Football (Mini and Standard Size Patterns) appeared first on Heart Hook Home.