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Amigurumi sphere calculator

Round-by-round instructions for a crochet ball of any size: the classic +6 pattern or a rounder version that follows a true sphere.

Built by Monhar Wesvakguide edited by Alice Jackie

Crocheted amigurumi balls in mint, pink and cream with a tuft of stuffing and a hook
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Fill in the fields above to see your result.

A modelled estimate. Real results vary with stitch, yarn and tension, so allow a margin.

Heads, bodies, balls and ornaments are all spheres. This calculator writes one round by round, from the stitches around the widest round or from a diameter and your gauge, in two styles: the classic six-increase ball, and a rounder ball that follows the shape of a true sphere.

How to use the calculator

  1. Size the ball by the stitches around the widest round, or by its diameter and your gauge.
  2. Choose classic or rounder.
  3. Work in a continuous spiral in single crochet, and mark the first stitch of each round.

How the calculator works

From a diameter, the widest round is the circumference in stitches: widest round = π × diameter × stitch gauge.

  • Classic: the widest round is rounded to a multiple of 6. The ball increases 6 stitches a round up to the widest round, works as many plain rounds as there were increase rounds, then decreases 6 a round. A 36-stitch ball has 6 increase rounds, 6 plain rounds and 5 decrease rounds: 17 rounds.
  • Rounder: each round follows the circumference of a true sphere at that height:

Stitches in round i = widest round × sin(π × (i − 0.5) ÷ rounds), never fewer than 6.

The change between rounds is then spread evenly around the round. The rounder ball looks smoother at larger sizes, where classic balls start to look slightly hexagonal.

Reading your results

  • Rounds and widest round.
  • Round by round: every round written out with its stitch count, starting with 6 sc in a magic ring. A note reminds you when to start stuffing.
  • Closing: how to finish the last stitches.

Worked example

A ball with 36 stitches around the widest round:

  • Classic: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, then 6 more rounds of 36, then 30, 24, 18, 12, 6: 17 rounds.
  • Rounder: 18 rounds: 6, 9, 15, 21, 25, 29, 33, 35, 36, 36, then back down 35, 33, 29, 25, 21, 15, 9, 6.

By size: a 3 in ball at 20 stitches per 4 in has a circumference of π × 3 × 5 = 47 stitches. The classic pattern rounds that to 48, with 8 increase rounds: 23 rounds in all.

Accuracy and limits

  • The stitch counts are exact and covered by our automated tests. The final shape depends on your tension and stuffing.
  • In the classic style the widest round is rounded to a multiple of 6, so a ball sized by diameter can come out slightly bigger or smaller.
  • The pattern is always in single crochet.

Common mistakes

  1. Stuffing too late. Stuff firmly before the opening gets too small to reach in.
  2. Using the label's hook. Amigurumi uses a hook a size or two smaller than the yarn label suggests, so the stuffing does not show through.
  3. Losing the start of the round. In a spiral, a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round saves recounting.

Tips for more accurate results

Frequently asked questions

What is the basic pattern for an amigurumi ball?

Increase 6 stitches a round to the widest round, work the same number of plain rounds as you had increase rounds, then decrease 6 a round. The classic style here follows that pattern.

What is the difference between classic and rounder?

Classic changes by 6 stitches every round, which is easy to follow but can look hexagonal on big balls. Rounder follows a true sphere's shape, so each round changes by a different amount, spread evenly.

How do I avoid holes when decreasing?

Use invisible decreases, through the front loops only of the next two stitches, and a smaller hook.

How do I close the last stitches without a bump?

Cut the yarn, thread it through the front loop of each of the last stitches, and pull tight, then weave the tail into the ball.

Why is my ball taller or flatter than a sphere?

Your rounds are taller or shorter than your stitches are wide. Size it by diameter with both gauges, or add or remove a plain round at the widest point.

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