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NFL Style Football Toy

This football toy is based on the NFL football style. It is made in 4 panels which are then stitched together then has lacing on the top where the football was turned inside out, stuffed and stitched closed. It is a fun football to make and is close to the dimensions of a real NFL football.

Materials Needed
6oz Worsted weight acrylic yarn in a medium brown.
Scrap Worsted weight acrylic yarn in white
6oz Polyester Fiberfill
Size H/8 or 6mm aluminum crochet hoot
Yarn needle for weaving in ends

Yarn Thickness: 4mm
Gauge: 4sc=1"
Finished Size: 11"x6.5"
Skill Level: Intermediate

Instructions
Make 4 panels the same in medium brown
ROW 1: Ch3, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch. Ch1, turn.

ROW 2: 2sc in each of the 2 sc. Ch1, turn. (4sc)

ROW 3: 2sc in first sc. Sc in each of the next 2 sc. 2Sc in next sc. Ch1, turn. (6sc)

ROW 4: 2sc in first sc. Sc in each of the next 4 sc. 2sc in next sc. Ch1, turn. (8sc)

ROW 5: Sc in each sc across. Ch1, turn. (8sc)

ROW 6: 2sc in first sc. Sc in each of the next 6 sc. 2sc in next sc. (10sc)

ROW 7& 8: Sc in each sc across. Ch1, turn. (10sc)

ROW 9: 2sc in first sc. Sc in each of the next 8sc. 2sc in next sc. (12sc)

ROW 10: Sc in each sc across. Ch1, turn. (12sc)

ROW 11: 2sc in first sc. Sc in each of the next 10sc. 2sc in next sc. (14sc)

ROW 12: Sc in each sc across. Ch1, turn. (14sc)

ROW 13: 2sc in first sc. Sc in each of the next 12sc. 2sc in next sc. (16sc)

ROW 14 & 15: Sc in each sc across. Ch1, turn. (16sc)

ROW 16: 2sc in first sc. Sc in each of the next 14sc. 2sc in next sc. (18sc)

ROW 17 & 18: Sc in each sc across. Ch1, turn. (18sc)

ROW 19: 2sc in first sc. Sc in each of the next 16sc. 2sc in next sc. (20sc)

ROW 20-38: Sc in each sc across. Ch1, turn.

When you reached ROW 28, you were at the center. Now at ROW 39 you will start decreasing. Decreases will be at the beginning and end of each row as indicated below. The way you want to decrease is you pull up a loop in each of either the first 2 or the last 2 stitches of the row as indicated, yo, pull through all 3 lps on hook. Use the next row of instructions as your guide for the rest of the rows that have decreases on them.

ROW 39: Pull up a loop in each of the first 2 sc, yo, pull through all 3 lps on hook. Sc in each of the next 16sc. Pull up a loop in each of the last 2 sc, yo, pull through all 3 lps on hook. Ch1, turn. (18sc) From here on out, the decreases will be referred to as "dec".

ROW 40 & 41: Sc in each st across. Ch1, turn. (18sc)

ROW 42: Dec. Sc in each of the next 4 sc. Dec. Ch1, turn. (16sc)

ROW 43 & 44: Sc in st across. Ch1, turn. (16sc)

ROW 45: Dec. Sc in each of the next 12 sc. Dec. Ch1, turn. (14sc)

ROW 46: Sc in each st across. Ch1, turn. (14sc)

ROW 47: Dec. Sc in each of the next 10 sc. Dec. Ch1, turn. (12sc)

ROW 48: Sc in each st across. Ch1, turn. (12sc.)

ROW 49: Dec. Sc in each of the next 8 sc. Dec. Ch1, turn. (10sc)

ROW 50 & 51: Sc in each st across. Ch1, turn. (10sc.)

ROW 52: Dec. Sc in each of the next 6 sc. Dec. Ch1, turn. (8sc)

ROW 53: Sc in each st across. Ch1, turn. (8sc)

ROW 54: Dec. Sc in each of the next 4 sc. Dec. Ch1, turn. (6sc)

ROW 55: Dec . Sc in each of the next 2 sc. Dec. Ch1, turn. (4sc.)

ROW 56: Dec. Dec. Ch1, turn (2sc)

ROW 57: Sc in each of the 2sts. Fasten off leaving a length 4 times the long length of the panel. Weave the starting end in. Set panels aside for now.

Lacing Parts: Make a chain 225 chains long. Fasten off and leave the ends about 6" long. This will make it easier to lace up the top of the ball.

Center bar: ROW 1:Leaving a starting end about 8" long, ch16, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch,1 turn.

ROW 2: Sc in each sc across. Fasten off leaving ends about 8" long.

Assembly:
Whip stitch the 4 panels together with the right sides facing each other. Leave an opening on one of the 4 seams at the center top, at the 10 center rows that do not have increases or decreases on them. When you have all 4 panels stitch except for the 10 row opening, turn the ball inside out. Stuff and play with it until you have it the shape you want it to be,then lace stitch the opening closed going back and forth, over under to make the seam flat. You can mark the beginning and end of this last closing seam with a scrap piece of white yarn to mark where to put your center bar and lacing.

Stitch the ends of your center bar onto the center top of the ball covering the lacing stitches of the seam of the hole that you used to stuff the ball. Just stitch the ends in place. Weave the left over ends into the white center bar.

Starting at one end of the center bar, use your long chain as a shoe lace and lace up the center bar like you would a pair of sneakers but make sure the crosses are inside the foot ball and the straight parts of the laces are on top and just under the center bar. You will need to make 8 bars, (mine has 9) down the center bar. Secure the ends inside the football.

Design written on Tuesday, May 31, 2011. Copyright ©2011 By Julie A. Bolduc p113021