Crochet Volleyball: Built from Six Striped Squares, Like the Real Thing
A real volleyball is six panels of three stripes arranged like a cube. Crochet six striped squares, sew them into a cube with the stripes turned, stuff firmly, and it rounds into a ball. About 3 hours.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) cotton in white, blue and yellow, about 20 yd each
- Hook
- 4 mm (G-6)
- Time
- About 3 hours
- Finished size
- About 5 in (13 cm) across
You'll need
- Worsted (#4) cotton in white, blue and yellow — about 20 yd each
- 4 mm (G-6) hook
- Fibrefill
- Tapestry needle
In this post
A real volleyball is made of 18 panels in six groups of three, arranged exactly like the six faces of a cube. So that's how you crochet one: make six squares, each with three stripes, and sew them together as a cube, turning each square so its stripes run at right angles to its neighbours. Stuff it firmly and the cube puffs into a ball with real volleyball panels.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Squares (make 6)
- Row 1: In white, ch 13. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and across. Ch 1, turn. (12)
- Rows 2–5: Sc across. (12)
- Rows 6–10: Change to blue. Sc across. (12)
- Rows 11–15: Change to yellow. Sc across. Fasten off. (12)
- Check: Each square should be close to square — about 2¾ in. Add or remove a row per stripe to match.
Assembly
- Lay out the six squares as a cross-shaped cube net: four in a row, one above and one below the second square.
- Turn the stripes: Neighbouring squares must have stripes at right angles. In the row of four, alternate: horizontal, vertical, horizontal, vertical. The top and bottom squares are turned so they're at right angles to the square they touch.
- Sew with white yarn and whipstitch, edge to edge, folding the net into a cube.
- Stuff very firmly before closing the last edge. Over-stuffing is good here: it rounds out the corners.
- Close the last seam and shape the ball with your hands.
Colour ideas
| Style | Stripes |
|---|---|
| Beach volleyball | Blue, yellow, white |
| Indoor classic | White, white, white with grey seams |
| Team colours | Two team colours and white |
| Rainbow | Six different colour sets, one per square |
The same cube trick makes a soft baby ball. For round balls worked in one piece, see the basketball or soccer ball. Beach trip? Take a crochet beach bag.
Common questions
How is a volleyball constructed?
From 18 rectangular panels in six groups of three, arranged like the faces of a cube. Each group is turned at right angles to its neighbours.
Why does a crochet cube turn into a ball?
Firm stuffing pushes the flexible crochet outward and rounds the corners. The stiffer the yarn and the firmer the stuffing, the rounder the ball.
Can I use this method for other balls?
Yes — any six squares make a soft "cube ball". Solid colours make a great sensory toy for babies.
Beach or indoor volleyball? 🏐
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