Note 8/2007:  While the original post will return a suitable outcome for a temari, it wasn't what Glenna originally intended. If you worked the "first" version, you will still come out with a neat temari. However, you can also try the "intended" version as Glenna has resubmitted it.....  think of it as getting two Mystery Balls for the price of one! :>)
A note from Glenna: "Mystery Ball Stitchers, I am so sorry for the "goof" in the first set of this Mystery Ball directions. I learned two lessons: Proof Read more accurately and it helps to actually work the temari for real rather than just plan it on paper! Either one of these lessones would have caught my typing error. My thanks to Kate for picking up on things when she realized what had happened..... !"

"String You Along"---
This is an original design which I have not stitched myself.  Together we will see if it works.  The design will work well in only one color, or 2-4 colors, or variegated threads.  When it is done you will laugh, because it will remind you of something you probably did as a child. You will need lots of pins.  It will help if they all have the same size heads.  I like quilt pins, because the heads are big.

Measure and pin mark your mari for 8 Complex Divisions.  (If you are not ready for complex divisions, work on an 8 Simple Division.  Stitch your mark lines with contrasting sewing thread.  This thread will be removed after your design is stitched.  I call it “waste thread.”  Measure out from the NP on 4 alternate lines and place pins to form corners of a square as described below.

You already should have a pin at the corner of each square.  Place another pin (we're using Red, Yellow, Blue,Green for this example but you can substitute any four that you want to) at each corner of the square around the North Pole INSIDE the original marking pins.  Wrap a scrap of thread around those 4 pins to be sure you have a symmetrical square.

Locate the original 4 pins forming the square around the NP.  You should have 4 more pins in color sequence [Red, Yellow, Blue, and White] inside the original 4.  The inside pins should have a thread wrapped around them testing the accuracy of your square.  Adjust the shape of your thread wrapped square as needed.

Inside the thread square, place pins side by side so the heads just touch.  Each side of the square will be pinned in a different color.  For ease of description use Red on side 1, Yellow on the next side clockwise, followed by Blue, then Green.  Be sure that you have exactly the same number of pins on each side of the square.  Remove the thread wrapped around the pins to show the square.  Yes, I know that is a lot of pins!

Hold your mari down in front of you so you can look directly onto the NP pin.  Position the row of Red pins so they are between your body and the NP in.  You should be looking into the square from above the NP.

Now raise your mari up so you are looking at the row of Red pins from outside the square.  You should have a Red pin at the right corner.  You should have one Yellow pin at the left corner.  As you follow the stitching pattern the descriptions assume that you are looking the pins as you are now – from outside the square.  Mentally number your pins right to left with the right corner pin being #1.  This is your Start position.

Now that you are oriented to your square, think about your colors.  Here are some possibilities:  *  All one color  OR  * All one variegated color   OR  * 2, 3, or 4 different colors. Choose and plan your color(s).  If using more than one color, assign colors to a side of the square.  Thread up your needle with a generous length of thread.

Hold your mari in Start position.  Bring your thread up between Red 1 and Red 2 pins.  Lay your thread into the middle of the square.  Rotate the mari so you are facing the Yellow pins.  Take a stitch into the wrap thread close outside the pins.  Enter between Yellow 1 and Yellow 2.  Exit between Yellow 2 and Yellow 3. 

Lay your thread back across the square to Red.  Enter your stitch between Red 2 and Red 3.  Exit between Red 3 and Red 4. 

Continue working this cross over stitch until you have a stitch between all of the Red pins.  You will be stitching between two adjacent sides of the square. 

If you are using more than one color, change now.  Repeat the cross over pattern beginning with Yellow pin 1.  When you are done work the same pattern at the Blue pins.  Complete your square with stitches at the Green pins. 

Your first Square is done.  Does it remind you of your childhood?  Repeat the pattern in the square around the SP.  If you are doing a complex mari, repeat the pattern in the remaining squares on your mari.  Remove any waste thread mark lines.  If you are working a Simple Division, stitch the obi of your choice. If you are working a Complex Division, you can leave the space between Squares blank or stitch bands in between.