This is an easy beginner project that uses scrap yarn to make a fun Halloween decoration.

Since the previous book review, The Lost Girl, features fortune telling, I wanted to share with my readers my knitted "crystal" ball pattern. This is the perfect item to add to any witchy Halloween displays as well as a fun play toy for the fortune-teller in your life. It also makes for some interesting office comments, I'm told.

I've simplified the pattern so that any beginner can knit it. To accomplish this, I had to change the ball pattern to an upside-down pouch that is tied closed on the bottom and tucked into the knitted stand.

Materials: size 7 US (4.5 mm) knitting needles, worsted weight yarn, yarn sewing needle.

Gauge unimportant. Generally, use one needle size smaller than is recommended for the yarn you are using. The stand you'll be knitting will be fitted to the width of the yarn ball.

Cast on 20 sts

Rows 1, 2: knit

Row 3: *k1, yo, rep from *, end k1 (39 sts)

Rows 4,6,8,10,12,14,16: purl

Rows 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15: knit

Row 17: *k2, k2tog, rep from *, end k3 (30 sts)

Row 18: purl

Row 19: k2tog across (15 sts)

Row 20: purl

Row 21: k2tog across, end k1

Cut yarn leaving 6 inch tail. Weave yarn through remaining top stitches. Sew side seam. Leave bottom open.

Stuff yarn ball with poly-fil. Weave a 6 inch strand of yarn through the yarn over holes (like a drawstring bag) and pull tight. Knot closed. This will form the "crystal" ball.

Stand

Once again, gauge is unimportant. The stand is worked side to side. The shorter top edge will be where you place the yarn ball.

Using size 7 US (4.5 mm) knitting needles, hold two strands of worsted weight yarn and cast on 4 sts.

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: p1, k3

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until stand length is about 6 inches or the stand creates a circle wide enough to set the yarn ball into.

Knit and bind off.

Join sides.

To put together, set the yarn ball onto the stand. The bottom part of the ball where you knotted the opening closed should be inside the stand so that it can't be seen. Sew ball into stand.