Hal the Rope Ball is a traveling bug. To read about his travels click here.

To make a rope ball, print and the glue the pattern on a piece of cardboard. Punch a hole in the number 1 position. Feed about half of a 20 foot piece of cord through the hole. Lay the top section of cord along the lines of the diagram, frequently pinning the cord to the cardboard. Whenever the cord crosses itself in regular numerical sequence at a point that is marked by a circle, tuck the working end under the bight that is to be crossed. At all other points, the cord is overlaid and the circles are ignored.

Once you have traced the line with the cord once, follow the cord with the working end two more times (total of three passes). Keep in mind that the second half of the cord will go backward from the starting point. Make sure the cord lies evenly.

Remove the slack and a ball will form.