These quick and easy balloons are great for anyone new to amigurumi.

Worsted weight yarn in color of your choice
Size U.S. E4 crochet hook
Yarn needle
Stuffing
Safety eyes and nose (or embroider your own)
Swizzle sticks or wooden skewers for balloon "string"

Large balloon is approx. 3" tall
Small balloon is approx. 2" tall.

Not necessary, just make sure your stitches are firm and even.

Large Balloon:

It's time to add as much fuel as possible to the CROCHET REVOLUTION! Show your pride and solidarity by wearing your very own revolutionary armband. In true DIY style, stitch one up however you'd like. Not a fan of colourwork? Ditch it. Never tried it before? Give it a shot! And don't even think of showing up to a Crochet Me book event without one. (Just think of all the blog photos of armband-clad crocheters! Pretty revolutionary!)

• Yarn: Tahki Dream (80% wool, 20% nylon; 262 yds/242 m per 1.75 oz/50 g): #008 Emerald Green (MC), 1 ball; #001 White (CC1), 1 ball, #012 Fuschia (CC2), 1 ball. Yarn distributed by Tahki Stacy Charles.
• Hook: 3.5mm. Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
• Yarn needle

Customizable. The armband shown is about 4" wide when laid flat and about 2.5" long.

The pattern is written in one size; for a larger or smaller version, add or subtract an even number of stitches when you begin. The skull is worked over the center 14 stitches regardless of how large or small you make the armband.

Approximately 6 sts and 7 rows = 1" in sc

Although any fingering-or-lighter weight yarn or thread can be substituted, the high wool content in the recommended yarn gives the armband a lovely amount of stretch. Using a 100% cotton yarn or thread might not produce an armband that will actually stay put on your arm.

There are two ways to begin the pattern. Option A, involving foundation stitches (see the Spring 2007 Interweave Crochet), is preferred, since it results in a stretchier foundation row than a traditional foundation chain.

Armband is worked in the round, turning after each round. Turning prevents the skull design from becoming terribly skewed.

Be sure to carry the unused yarn on the WS of your work.

[Big thanks to Elin for modeling all over Vancouver with me for this project.]

Option A:
Foundation Rnd: With MC, work 50 fsc, sl st in first fsc to join, being careful not to twist the sts, turn.