Free pattern - crochet fidget toy - Skittle

Continuing on the journey of creating fun and soft crochet fidget toys for those of us who like to play with things all day long, here’s a toy that’s very different from the previous flexagon fidget toy.

This one is not for those who like to twiddle their fingers, but it’s for those who like to throw things and catch them.

You can throw it up in the air and catch it easily because of the skittle shape. It’s easier to play with than a ball because there are more ways to catch it.

Light blue skittle crochet fidget toy held with one hand

About this fidget toy

Like any toy that you can throw, it’s perfect for developing reflexes and motor skills through play. It can be used individually or in groups.

It also has great texture due to the thick yarn and the nature of the single crochet stitches.

If you make them using the yarn-under yarn-over technique (YU-YO), they will be even more interesting, because each stitch looks like a little X and feels like a little bump.

You can also play a sensory game, by tracing the rows along the length of the toy, since it’s one big spiral.

I used to trace lots of things as a kid and still do. It’s a very pleasant tactile journey that you can get lost into.

This one is a bit tougher than the previous toy that I wrote a pattern for, since it’s so well stuffed to keep its shape.

The skittle shape is well suited for playing with people of different ages or hand size.

Small, purple version of the skittle crochet fidget toy

If you want to make this toy for smaller children, use chenille yarn and a 4 mm hook. It will come out much smaller.

This toy is suitable only for people above 10 years of age, as it might be dangerous for smaller children.

You can make a smaller and softer version of this toy for smaller children, using baby chenille yarn and a 4 mm hook.

It has the same properties as the larger version, but it’s much softer and can’t be stuffed as much, so it can also serve as a squeeze ball because it’s so squishy.

Measurements

When using the recommended yarn, the toy should be about 18 cm or 7″ in length and have a diameter of about 8 cm or 3″ at the widest point.

The small toy, made with chenille yarn, measures about 12 cm or 4.5″ in length and about 5 cm or 2″ in diameter at its widest point.

Observations/Notes

This pattern is written in US terms (for UK terms, replace Sc with Dc).
Work in a spiral, just like for amigurumi.
Use tight tension: you want the toy to be firm and sturdy.
Use a metal hook. This is not the project for ornamental wood, bamboo or acrylic hooks. Those are beautiful, but they might break.
For a stiff toy, the recommended yarn is acrylic. You could alternatively use wool, but you might need to felt it before the toy can be used, as it might be a bit limp. Put the toy through a regular wash cycle if you make it from wool, to make it more stiff.
For a more beautiful outward appearance, use the yarn-under yarn-over technique (YU-YO).

Large orange wool crochet fidget toy held in a hand — If you make the skittle out of wool, it might look a bit different, like this one, made in orange super bulky wool (60 meters per 100 gram ball)

Skill level

This pattern is suitable for intermediate crocheters who can work in a magic ring, work with YU-YO technique, handle tight tension and invisible decreases.

You can definitely make this if you are a beginner, but you need to take it slowly and learn a few tricks first.

The pattern itself is very easy and there is no seaming. If you request a video, I might make it.

Materials and notions

Yarn – about 50 grams or 30 meters of super-bulky or size 6 acrylic yarn (120 meters per 200 grams) – examples include Bravo Big by Schachenmayr, Lisa Big from Redheart, or Fab Big from Patons (I am pretty sure that they are exactly the same yarn);
Hook – 7 mm metal crochet hook or size close to 7 mm;
Stuffing – Poly fill or other kind of stuffing – stuff as much as you can – about 30-40 grams;
Scissors and large tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Materials for the crochet fidget toy, from left to right: scissors, tapestry needle, hook, stuffing, yarn

Abbreviations

2ScTog – invisible Sc decrease – put hook through front loops of next 2 stitches, pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook to finish the decrease;
MR – magic ring;
Sc – single crochet.

Instructions

You will work in a spiral, without finishing up the rows, like in amigurumi.

R1. 6 Sc in MR (6)

R2. repeat {2Sc in next St} 6 times (12)

R3. repeat {2Sc in next St, 1Sc} 6 times (18)

R4. repeat {2Sc in next St, 2Sc} 6 times (24)

R5. 24Sc (24)

R6. 24Sc (24)

R7. 24Sc (24)

R8. Repeat {2ScTog, 2Sc} 6 times (18)

R9. 18Sc (18)

R10. Repeat {2ScTog, 1Sc} 6 times (12) Stuff well.

R11. 12Sc (12)

R12. 12Sc (12)

R13. Repeat {2ScTog} 6 times (6) Stuff the remaining section.

R14. 6Sc (6)

R15. 6Sc (6)

R16. R2. repeat {2Sc in next St} 6 times (12)

R17. 12Sc (12)

R18. 12Sc (12)

R19. R3. repeat {2Sc in next St, 1Sc} 6 times (18)

R20. 18Sc (18)

R21. 18Sc (18)

R22. 18Sc (18)

R23. Repeat {2ScTog, 1Sc} 6 times (12) Continue stuffing.

R24. Repeat {2ScTog} 6 times (6)

Cut off the yarn, pulling the tail through the last stitch.

Stuff any remaining space, using the back end of the hook to push in the stuffing. Then use the tapestry needle to go through all six stitches and pull the opening closed.

Weave in the end back-and-forth three times and cut off the excess.

Once your toy is finished you can test it out. It doesn’t need to be able to balance on one end like a true skittle, since both sides should be round.

You can throw it in the air to check the balance, then have fun!