Autumn is almost here!
Some of you may know, or have guessed, that fall is my absolute favorite time of year! And as of the date of this post, it’s almost upon us! Just one more month until the official first day of fall, and – you guys – I’m excited. What better way to celebrate than by releasing this adorable pattern?
It works up perfectly in a wide range of colors (purple pumpkins, anyone?), with just about any yarn, and in under an hour! Plus, it’s free! What more could you want from a pattern?
The mini version of these pumpkins are great scrap busters because they use only 20 or so yards of yarn! You can even stuff them with those pesky yarn scraps that we crocheters are always trying to find a use for. Perfect!
Great Flexibility
Maybe you don’t have worsted weight yarn on hand. Maybe you’d rather try this pattern with velvet or chenille yarn. Well, thankfully that’s no problem at all! I’ll give you directions on how to make this pattern with ANY yarn, in any size, without having to spend lots of time counting stitches or rows!
How many times have you and I been working on a crochet project, counting dutifully according to pattern directions, and getting interrupted or distracted by things going on in your home until you lose count and have to start over?
And how many of you (myself included) get distracted by your own internal thought processes and lose count even in a perfectly quiet room!? That’s not going to happen here, thank goodness! So scroll on down for the details. And don’t forget to comment with your pics and show me some love!
Supplies
- Yarn (min 20yds)
- Stuffing
- Hot Glue Gun & Glue
- Cinnamon Stick
- Ribbon/Twine
- Hook recommended for your chosen yarn weight
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle
Directions
- Chain 16 (or more if you’d like a larger pumpkin)
- 15 single crochet stitches, chain 1, turn
- 15 single crochet stitches in BACK LOOP ONLY, chain 1, turn
- Repeat #3 until your work is roughly 2x longer than it is tall (See pics 1 – 3). This works with ANY yarn, any number of starting stitches, and any hook size.
For example: if your starting chain is 6″ tall, you want to work until your project is 12″ wide. Once your project is wide enough, fasten off. Leave a yarn tail that is about 2x longer than your work is wide. - Fold the work in half, lining up the short ends. Use your long yarn tail and yarn needle to sew the two pieces together. (See pics 4 & 5) Do not cut yarn tail yet!
- Turn the work and stitch along the longer edge, going around the entire circumference until you get back to the start. Pull the yarn to cinch the bottom shut. (See pics 6 & 7) Do not cut yarn tail yet!
- Flip the pumpkin so that the yarn tail is on the inside, and stuff the “bowl”.
(See pics 8 & 9) Do not cut yarn tail yet! - Repeat step 6 to close the top of the pumpkin, securing the stuffing inside. Before you fully close up, you may want to add more stuffing if needed. Once you’re satisfied with the stuffing, cinch the top closed and secure it firmly.
(See pic 10) Do not cut yarn tail yet! - Pass your yarn needle through the center of the pumpkin and out the bottom. Pull the tail tightly so that it squishes the height of the pumpkin down a bit.
- Fasten off, weave in/hide the remainder of the yarn tail. NOW it’s okay to cut the yarn.
- Tie a ribbon around your cinnamon stick piece, then use hot glue to secure it to your pumpkin. (See pic 11).
You’re done! Thank you so much for stopping by!
