Crochet Football: An American Football Amigurumi with Laces
A pointed, stuffed American football that grows 3 stitches a round from each tip, with embroidered white laces. About 5 inches long and soft enough to throw indoors. Perfect for game day, Super Bowl parties and nursery decor.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) acrylic in brown (30 yd) and white (5 yd)
- Hook
- 4 mm (G-6)
- Time
- About 1½ hours
- Finished size
- About 5 in (13 cm) long
You'll need
- Worsted (#4) brown — about 30 yd
- White — about 5 yd
- 4 mm (G-6) hook
- Fibrefill
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
In this post
The pointed shape of an American football comes from slow increases. A ball adds 6 stitches a round; a football adds only 3, so it grows long and narrow instead of round. Start at one tip, increase 3 per round to 24 stitches, work 5 straight rounds, then mirror the increases with decreases to the other tip. Embroider white laces on top. It's about 5 inches long.
Prefer the round ball the rest of the world calls football? See the crochet soccer ball, or the rounder rugby ball.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
The football
- Rnd 1: In brown, 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. (9)
- Rnd 3: (2 sc, inc) × 3. (12)
- Rnd 4: (3 sc, inc) × 3. (15)
- Rnd 5: (4 sc, inc) × 3. (18)
- Rnd 6: (5 sc, inc) × 3. (21)
- Rnd 7: (6 sc, inc) × 3. (24)
- Rnds 8–12: Sc in each st. (24)
- Rnd 13: (6 sc, dec) × 3. (21)
- Rnd 14: (5 sc, dec) × 3. Start stuffing. (18)
- Rnds 15–18: Continue: (4 sc, dec), (3 sc, dec), (2 sc, dec), (sc, dec) × 3. Stuff firmly. (6)
- Rnd 19: Dec × 3. Close. (3)
Laces and stripes
- Seam line: With white, make one long straight stitch along the top, from Rnd 7 to Rnd 13.
- Laces: Cross it with 6 short stitches, evenly spaced, each about 3 stitches wide.
- Stripes (optional): Embroider two short white bands around the ball at Rnds 5 and 15, as on a real football.
Sizes and uses
| Size | Yarn and hook | Length | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | DK, 3 mm | 3½ in | Keychain, ornament |
| Standard | Worsted, 4 mm | 5 in | Baby toy, party decor |
| Plush | Chunky chenille, 6 mm | 10 in | Pillow |
Game day set: a football hat, a team scarf and a football field blanket.
Common questions
How do you crochet a football shape?
Increase 3 stitches per round instead of 6. The ball grows longer than it is wide, giving the pointed tips. Mirror the increases with decreases for the second half.
Is a crochet football safe for babies?
Yes, with embroidered laces and secure stitching. It's soft and light, so it's safe to throw indoors.
Can I make it in team colours?
Yes. Use team colours for the stripes or make the whole ball in one team colour with white laces.
Who are you cheering for this season? 🏈
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