Really nice'n'simple, you can make it in different colors.
If you make the star and the ball of the same weight yarn, the sphere must be bigger than the original pattern.
Follow Rachel's pattern until the 5th round, than follow Rachel's instructions how to make the sphere bigger. I added 2 plus rounds in the increasing phase (that makes 6 extra rounds in all). The widest round count 42 stitches.

Sphere pattern:
http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-a-sphere/

Star pattern:
http://www.crochetspot.com/free-crochet-pattern-stars/