Sep 29, 20225 min read

CROCHET PUMPKIN PATTERN

Pumpkins are adorable any time of the year and these cuties are no exception. They take a small amount of wool, very little time and are fun to make.

They are super easy and suitable for all levels.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE A CROCHET PUMPKIN

UK Double knit yarn/wool – Each pumpkin takes approx 25g of main colour and oddments for the stalk (DOUBLE STRAND IS USED THROUGHOUT, apart from the stalk)
Crochet hooks – we used 4mm & 8mm (8mm was used for the garden twine pumpkin)
Wool darning needle – to sew in ends
stuffing (approx 10g, depending how hard you want the pumpkin to be)
scissors

The tutorial is in UK crochet terms and double strand is used throughout (apart from the stalk)

STITCHES

st = stitch
yo = yarn over
ch = chain (yo, pull through)
slst = slip stitch (insert hook, yo, pull through both loops)
dc =double crochet (insert hook, yo and pull through, yo and pull through both loops)
dc2tog = double crochet two together (insert hook, yo and pull through, insert hook into next stitch, yo and pull through, yo and pull through all 3 loops)

HERE’S WHAT YOU DO

Start with a magic ring and secure it with a one chain. This stops the ring from unravelling and gives the 1st dc something to lay against.

To create the 1st round work 6dc into the ring. Insert a stitch marker into the 1st dc.

Once you complete the 1st stitch of EVERY round, place in your stitch marker.

As there is no obvious 1st stitch in each round, stitch markers will keep track of it.

If the door goes or you make a mistake, having the marker in place means you can just unpick back to it and start the round again.

Do not close this or any of the following rounds as we will be working continuously. (6sts)

Round 2 – work 2dc into each of the 6 stitches in round 1. (12sts)

Round 3 – work the following sequence (2dc into the next st, 1dc) six times. (18sts)

Round 4 sequence – (2dc into next st, 1dc, 1dc) six times. (24sts)

Round 5 sequence – (2dc into next st, 1dc, 1dc, 1dc) six times. (30sts)

WORKING IN ROUNDS IN CROCHET TO MAKE A PUMPKIN

Round 6 sequence. (1dc, 1dc, 2dc into next st, 1dc, 1dc) six times. (36sts) Working the increase in the middle of the sequence keeps you work circular.

For rows 7 to 14 work 1dc in each of the 36 stitches from the previous round. If you want a taller pumpkin, you can work more rows here to gain height.

Round 15 – Once you are happy with the length, it is now time to decrease and close the top. For the first decrease the sequence is (1dc, 1dc, 2dctog, 1dc, 1dc) six times – (30sts)

To keep the decrease stitches tight, you can use the yarn under technique, so instead of bringing your yarn over the hook, you bring it from under. This makes the stitches smaller, so is ideal when decreasing.

Round 16 – Decrease sequence is – (2dctog, 1dc, 1dc, 1dc) six times – (24sts)

Round 17 decrease sequence is (2dctog, 1dc,1dc) six times – (18sts)

Round 18 is the final round and the decrease sequence is (2dctog, 1dc,) six times (12sts) Break off yarn and pull through. You will need to leave a long strand so that you can form the sides of the pumpkin.

Stuff the pumpkin. This is a personal choice, and it depends what you will be using your for. If you want to use it as a pin cushion, then it needs to be fairly firm. For general decoration around the home, you can make it softer. Fill it right up and a top tip here is to insert your finger through the centre of the stuffing, right down to the bottom. You will find it easier to insert the darning needle for shaping of the pumpkin. Once you have made a hole through the centre of the stuffing, close up the hole. Weave your darning needle in and out of the 12 stitches from the final round and pull tight to close. Secure with a knot, but don’t weave in the end yet as you will need it for the next step.

Push your darning needle through the centre of the pumpkin so that it appears the other side and pull through.

Take it over the side of the pumkin and insert the needle in exactly the same place and side that you have just gone though. Pull it fairly tight and you will see that it forms a side section.

Do the same again opposite from where you have just been and you can see that it cuts the pumpkin in half.

Work this method, twice more for each side so that you have a total of 6 segments. You can however, do as many segments as you want. They don’t have to match in size as most pumpkins are wonky. Choose the best way up for your pumpkin and secure the end on the wrong side. (You may need to thread your end through the other side, depending which one you chose for the top. Secure the ends and weave in and cut off.

The stalk is an ichord. There are several videos on youtube that show you how to do this. Using a single strand and a 4mm hook, make a slip knot and chain 3.

Pick up the 2nd stitch from the hook so that you have 2 loops.

Pick up the 3rd stitch on your hook so that you now have 3 loops.

Carefully remove the 1st two loops on the hook.

Work a one chain from the remaining loop on the hook.

Carefully pick up the next loop, yo and pull through.

Pick up the 3rd loop, yo and pull through.

You now have 3 loops on your hook and all you do now is repeat the steps again.

1. Remove the 1st two loops from you hook.

2. Chain 1

3. Insert hook back into the 2nd stitch, yo and pull through.

4 Insert hook back into the 3rd stitch, yo and pull through.

And repeat………..

It’s a good idea to hold onto the loops as you are working the first chain. As the yarn is pulled past the loops, they may come undone.

Once you have worked 8 rows in total, yo and pull through all 3 loops. Break off yarn and pull through to secure the top of the stalk.

Thread this top end right through the centre of the stalk so that it comes out to join the starting end. If you pull down on it slightly, it will bend the top of the stalk to add dimension to it. Once it is how you want it, tie the two ends together.

Sew it to the top of your pumpkin so that is is secure and weave in any loose ends. Your pumpkin is now finished.

Pumkins come in lots of colours, so it’s a great way to use up all your oddments of wool.

You can use any weight of yarn, acrylic or cotton. Just make sure that you use the right size hook. If you are unsure, have a little play until you get the tension you are after. If you want to make a mini pumpkin, use a single strand and a smaller hook throughout.

We couldn’t complete this project without using our favourite. Good old garden twine. This one was worked with double strand and an 8mm hook. This is not for the feinthearted though as it puts quite a strain on your hands, but the finished pumpkin looks fab.