purlJam

# GOTTA KNIT 'EM ALL: SPHERICAL TOY CATCHER
**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate
**Date:** October 26, 2023
**Technical Editor:** [System Persona]

## DESCRIPTION
A classic collector’s item knitted in the round. This pattern creates a dense, spherical toy approximately 8 cm in diameter. It features a seamless colour transition using the "jogless stripe" technique and an appliquéd centre button for a 3D effect.

## MATERIALS
*   **Yarn:** Worsted Weight (UK: Aran). Small amounts (approx. 20g each) of:
    *   Colour A: White
    *   Colour B: Black
    *   Colour C: Red
    *   *Note: Use a smooth acrylic or superwash wool for best definition.*
*   **Needles:** Set of 3.75mm (UK 9) Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) or circular needle for Magic Loop.
    *   *Note: Needle size is smaller than standard for this weight to prevent stuffing from showing through.*
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle, polyester fibre filling (stuffing), stitch marker.

## TENSION (GAUGE)
24 stitches and 30 rounds = 10 cm x 10 cm in stocking stitch.
*Tension is not critical for fit, but a tight fabric is essential to hold stuffing.*

## TERMINOLOGY & ABBREVIATIONS
*   **Beg:** Beginning
*   **Dec:** Decrease
*   **K:** Knit
*   **K2tog:** Knit 2 stitches together (1 st decreased)
*   **Kfb:** Knit into the front and back of the same stitch (1 st increased)
*   **Rem:** Remaining
*   **Rep:** Repeat
*   **St(s):** Stitch(es)
*   **Sl1:** Slip 1 stitch purlwise

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### PART 1: THE SPHERE
*Worked in the round from the bottom (White) up to the top (Red).*

**Base (White)**
Using **Colour A (White)** and 3.75mm needles, cast on 8 sts. Distribute over 3 or 4 needles and join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beg of round.

*   **Round 1:** Knit all sts. `[8 sts]`
*   **Round 2:** (Kfb) in every st to end. `[Start 8 + Inc 8 = 16 sts]`
*   **Round 3:** (K1, kfb) to end. `[Start 16 + Inc 8 = 24 sts]`
*   **Round 4:** (K2, kfb) to end. `[Start 24 + Inc 8 = 32 sts]`
*   **Round 5:** Knit all sts. `[32 sts]`
*   **Round 6:** (K3, kfb) to end. `[Start 32 + Inc 8 = 40 sts]`
*   **Round 7:** Knit all sts. `[40 sts]`
*   **Round 8:** (K4, kfb) to end. `[Start 40 + Inc 8 = 48 sts]`
*   **Round 9:** Knit all sts. `[48 sts]`
*   **Round 10:** (K5, kfb) to end. `[Start 48 + Inc 8 = 56 sts]`
*   **Rounds 11–13:** Knit all sts (3 rounds). `[56 sts]`

**Centre Band (Black)**
*Note: To create a seamless colour change, use the jogless stripe method indicated in Round 15.*

*   **Round 14:** Change to **Colour B (Black)**. Knit all sts. `[56 sts]`
*   **Round 15:** Sl1, K to end. (Slipping the first stitch lifts the previous colour up, hiding the "step" in the stripe). `[56 sts]`
*   **Rounds 16–17:** Knit all sts. `[56 sts]`

**Top (Red)**
*   **Round 18:** Change to **Colour C (Red)**. Knit all sts. `[56 sts]`
*   **Round 19:** Sl1, K to end. `[56 sts]`
*   **Rounds 20–21:** Knit all sts. `[56 sts]`

**Decrease Section**
*Start stuffing the ball firmly after Round 25.*

*   **Round 22:** (K5, k2tog) to end. `[Start 56 - Dec 8 = 48 sts]`
*   **Round 23:** Knit all sts. `[48 sts]`
*   **Round 24:** (K4, k2tog) to end. `[Start 48 - Dec 8 = 40 sts]`
*   **Round 25:** Knit all sts. `[40 sts]`
*   **Round 26:** (K3, k2tog) to end. `[Start 40 - Dec 8 = 32 sts]`
*   **Round 27:** (K2, k2tog) to end. `[Start 32 - Dec 8 = 24 sts]`
*   **Round 28:** (K1, k2tog) to end. `[Start 24 - Dec 8 = 16 sts]`
*   **Round 29:** (K2tog) to end. `[Start 16 - Dec 8 = 8 sts]`

**Closing**
Cut yarn leaving a 20 cm tail. Thread tail through a tapestry needle, pass through the rem 8 sts, pull tight to close the hole, and weave in the end securely inside the ball.

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### PART 2: THE BUTTON ASSEMBLY
*The button consists of a black background disc and a smaller white button, sewn together.*

**Background Disc (Black)**
Using **Colour B (Black)**, cast on 8 sts.
*   **Row 1:** (Kfb) in every st. `[16 sts]`
*   **Row 2:** Bind off (cast off) all sts knitwise.
*   *Cut yarn leaving a long tail for sewing.*

**Centre Button (White)**
Using **Colour A (White)**, cast on 6 sts.
*   **Row 1:** Bind off (cast off) all sts purlwise.
*   *This creates a tiny white lozenge/circle.*

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## FINISHING
1.  **Assembly:** Sew the small White Centre Button onto the centre of the Black Background Disc.
2.  **Placement:** Position the assembled button directly over the black band of the sphere, centered vertically. The black disc should slightly overlap the Red and White sections of the main ball.
3.  **Stitching:** Using the black yarn tail, whip stitch the button assembly securely to the sphere.
4.  **Ends:** Weave in any remaining loose ends. Roll the ball between your palms to distribute the stuffing evenly.