I found a pattern for a soft basket and thought it would be a nice present filled with squishy balls, just right for my younger one as she is on her move exploring the world and emptying any container she finds. Not so sure did I do it right though, it really lacks the structure – ok, maybe I expect too much of it 🙂 I just hope it will look better once filled 😀
I got the pattern from another book (More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts
by Joelle Hoverson and Anna Williams), and used patton’s DK 100% cotton for it (made a large one). It says that it is an 4-hour project but I didn’t measure the time needed (it was more like whenever I get a minute free). Could taken me anything between 4 and 8 hours I guess! I’ve decided to put the ribbing into a different colour and then (as I was doing it) just felt like it needs a stripe of original colour in 😀 Well, picture is here and hope to update it soon with some squishy balls inside!
Knit or Purl - One or Null 
Filled with sqishy things it will look ok – the things will add stability. AND, there will be no sharp pointy corners for your younger one to fall onto.
thanks – you’re right – the squishy balls are really easy and relatively quick to make – I keep getting orders from my little miss bossy which colours should they be 😀
The yarn recommended in the pattern is blue sky alpacas cotton – an aran weight yarn- this might explain why yours was more squashy – the one used in the original pattern is a much firmer yarn.