This pattern was designed in the Depression, which means it has two features that might be useful for a frugal, environmental modern parent. Instead of being sewn together, the two halves of the ball ‘lace up’. They can be unlaced, and the stuffing removed, so the ball can be washed. For this reason, I used a machine-washable yarn. The lacing means that the ball can also be re-stuffed, if it becomes a particular favourite of the baby.

The original pattern calls for a 1.25 mm hook and thread - however, a ball this size is a choking hazard. The yarn and hook size suggested above produce a ball about 7cm in diameter, which would be much harder to swallow!

The original pattern also produces an ‘egg’ shape (as pictured in pink) rather than a sphere (as pictured in green). The ‘egg’ is quite nice, but if you’re after a round ball, leave off the final five rows on each half of the ball.

The pattern suggests leaving a couple of yards at the end of the laces, so that the ball can be tied to the baby’s pram. I made the laces a bit shorter. The length of the chain in the pictures is 45cm.

This pattern requires you to count stitches, but does not include how many stitches you should have at the end of each row (like most modern patterns would). At the end of each row, you should have as follows:
Row 2: 8
Row 3: 16
Row 4: 24
Row 5: 24
Row 6: 36
Row 7-10: 36
Row 11: 48
Row 12-13, or 12-18: 48