Make a slip knot with the brown yarn and tighten it on your hook. Chain 2.
Insert 6 single crochet into the first chain.
Pull on the tail to tighten.
Slip stitch into the first single crochet.
Round 2:
Chain 1 and insert 1 single crochet into the first stitch.
Insert 2 single crochet into the next (second) stitch.
Repeat the pattern of 1 single crochet into 1 stitch, 2 single crochet into the next stitch, until you've made your way around.Then slip stitch into the first stitch.
Round 3:
Switch to white yarn (do not cut off the brown yarn!) and chain 1.
Insert 1 single crochet into each of the first 2 stitches.
Insert 2 single crochet into the next stitch.
Repeat this pattern all the way around. 1 single crochet into 2 stitches, 2 single crochet into the next.Once you've made your way around, slip stitch into the first stitch.
Round 4:
Chain 1 and add a single crochet into each of the first 3 stitches.
Insert 2 single crochet into the next stitch.
Repeat the pattern of 1 single crochet into 3 stitches and 2 single crochet into 1 stitch all the way around.Then slip stitch into the first stitch.
Round 5:
Switch back to brown yarn (don't cut the white yarn) and chain 1.Insert 1 single crochet into each of the first 4 stitches.
Insert 2 single crochet into the next stitch.
Repeat the pattern of 1 single crochet into 4 stitches, 2 single crochet into 1 stitch, all the way around.Then slip stitch into the first stitch.
Round 6:
Chain 1 and insert 1 single crochet into the first 5 stitches.
Insert 2 single crochet into the next stitch.
Repeat (1 single crochet into 5 stitches, 2 single crochet into 1 stitch) all the way around, and then slip stitch into the first stitch.
Rounds 7 - 11:
Chain 1 and add a single crochet into every stitch around before slip stitching into the first stitch.
Repeat the last row 4 more times.
Round 12:
Chain 1 and insert 1 single crochet into the first 5 stitches.
Single crochet the next 2 stitches together (a decrease).
Repeat all the way around and then slip stitch into the first stitch.
Round 13:
Chain 1 and insert 1 single crochet into the first 4 stitches.
Then single crochet the next 2 stitches together (a decrease).
Repeat all the way around (4 single crochet, 1 decrease) and slip stitch into the first stitch.
Round 14:
Switch back to the white yarn and chain 1.Insert 1 single crochet into each of the first 3 stitches.
Single crochet the next 2 stitches together (a decrease).
Repeat the pattern of 1 single crochet into 3 stitches and 1 decrease.Once you've made your way around, slip stitch into the first stitch.
Round 15:
Chain 1 and insert 1 single crochet into the first 2 stitches.
Single crochet the next 2 stitches together (a decrease).
Repeat the pattern (1 single crochet into 2 stitches, 1 decrease) all the way around and slip stitch into the first stitch.Cut the white yarn and tuck the tail inside the football.
Stuff the football:
Insert stuffing into the football until it's firm and holds its shape.
Round 16:
Switch back to the brown yarn, chain 1 and insert 1 single crochet into the first stitch.
Single crochet the next 2 stitches together (a decrease).
Repeat the pattern all the way around (1 single crochet, 1 decrease) and slip stitch into the first stitch.
Finish off the football:
Cut off your yarn, leaving a 4 - 5 inch tail, and tie it off.
Thread the tail onto a yarn needle and use a running stitch to sew the tail through the stitches all the way around.
Pull the tail to close the hole in the end of the football and sew in the thread.
Thread white yarn onto the yarn needle and sew the stitches on the side of the football. Then sew in the ends of the yarn.