How to Make Cute Crochet Pumpkins for Fall

Cute, cozy and fun to make, these crochet pumpkins are an easy needlecraft that both beginner and veteran crocheters can tackle with ease. The type of fiber, weight and gauge of the yarn does not matter, so this project is a great way to use up your yarn stash and dress up your fall mantel or dining table for (almost) free.

Abbreviations

ch: chain stitch
hdc: half double crochet
sc: single crochet
sl st: slip stitch
st: stitch
BLO: back loop only
FLO: front loop only

Make the Base

This pumpkin starts with a rectangular base in a ribbed pattern. To create a rib pattern in crochet, you will be inserting your hook through the back loop only on each row. Again, the gauge does not matter in this project, but I found that a minimum of 20 rows using worsted weight yarn made a 3-inch diameter pumpkin. When I used super bulky yarn with 20 rows, it made a 5-inch diameter pumpkin.

Pattern for the pumpkin base:

Make a slip knot with a 6-inch tail, then ch 17.
Row 1: Hdc in BLO in the second chain from hook. Hdc in BLO across. Ch 2, turn (15)
Row 2: Hdc in BLO across. Ch 2, turn (15). Repeat row two until you have 20 rows. Leave the working yarn attached. Set it aside for the moment.

Seam

Turn the work so the yarn tail is in the front. Fold the fabric in half. Insert the hook into the back loop of the side of the piece that is facing you, then into the front loop of the other side of the work. With the working yarn, yarn over and pull through all the loops on the hook. Repeat across all the stitches on the top of the fabric. When you get to the end of the row, cut a 6-inch tail and pull it through the last loop.

Gather

To close the bottom of the fabric, thread one end of the tail into a tapestry needle. Then, weave it through the top loops on the edge of the fabric. Insert the needle from top to bottom, making your way around the fabric. As you weave the yarn through the loops, give it a gentle tug, it will start to close the hole (Image 1). When you get back to where you started, pull the yarn snuggly to close the hole. Weave in the end and fasten off (Image 2).

Fill

Fill the pumpkin with fiberfill until it's full, but not overly stuffed.

Close the Top

Close the top of the piece in the same method use to close the bottom. Weave the end through the top to secure (Image 1). Insert the needle through the middle of the piece and push it through the middle of the other side. Pull it snug—it will cause the piece to curve in a bit. Insert the needle under a couple of the closing loops to secure, then fasten off (Image 2). Now your piece should resemble a pumpkin (Image 3).

Make the Leaves

For the leaves, ch 20. Sc across and fasten off.

Finishing

Hot glue a natural wood stem to the top (Image 1), then tie the crochet "leaves" around the stem (Image 2).

Display

Make a whole patch-worth of pumpkins and display them in a basket, on your mantel or anywhere else you want to add a touch of fall color.