I love to crochet and I love simple projects that I can complete in a night. That’s why I’m sharing with you a pattern that you can easily complete in about an hour and it has endless possibilities! These crochet pumpkins are so cute! They make great gifts or sellers at craft shows. Make them in a traditional orange color or try some farmhouse neutrals. I have sold about 30 of these things in all different sizes and colors.
This pattern can be easily modified for different sizes and looks using simple crochet stitches that beginners can understand. I will give you the basic pattern and then we’ll talk about variations. Ready to get started?
Basic pattern for crochet pumpkins
Materials needed:
- Worsted (medium) weight yarn in your choice of color (try Lion Brand Wool Ease, Vanna’s Choice, Red Heart Soft, or ILTY from Hobby Lobby)
- H crochet hook (I felt that an H gave me tight enough stitches with just about any yarn, and yet it stretched well. Try a different size if you desire)
- Yarn needle
- Cluster Stuff (I LOOOVE this stuff and never recommend anything else)
- Your choice of stem. I knitted an i-cord stem for each of mine. You could also try crocheting one, or better yet use a stem or stick for a natural look.
Stitches being used in the basic pattern are single crochet (SC), slip stitch (SS), and chain stitch (CH). All stitches after the first round are made using the back loops only.
With at least 6 inches of your yarn at the end, CH 17.
Rd 1: turn, SC in each chain. 16 stitches.
Rd 2: turn, in Back Loops Only, SC 15; SS in remaining stitch.
Rd 3-30: repeat Rd 2. Tie off leaving at least 6 inches of yarn.
You should have a flat rectangle with yarn ends on the same sides like below.
Fold your rectangle in half. Again only in back loops, SS in each stitch to close up your rectangle, making a tube. Your yarn ends should now be on opposite sides.
With a yarn needle, thread one of the ends, and begin to stitch the very top row of stitches tightly. You will be drawing the end closed so that no hole remains.
Stuff your pumpkin as much as desired. I found that I like mine a little soft, but stuff them as firm as you want, stretching the pumpkin out as you go.
With a yarn needle, thread the other end and repeat to close the hole. You’re done with the body of the pumpkin!
Variations for crochet pumpkins
First let’s look at variations in yarns. I like the Medium weight pumpkins, but I love a chunky pumpkin even better! Try an economical Bernat Softee Chunky for a really neat farmhouse chunky look. I used the same H hook with the chunky yarn, it makes for a thick-looking pumpkin. If you decide to go with a large, chunkier yarn, you can decrease stitches to get the same size pumpkins. Or use the same amount of stitches to get even bigger ones!
Variations in stitch count will get you larger, smaller, fatter, skinnier pumpkins. Experiment with the number of chain stitches that you start your pumpkin with. The smaller the number, the smaller the end result, and the same for more stitches. The SC pumpkin that we did above does not look right if you make too many more stitches.
Crochet pumpkin pattern variation
Variation in stitches are what we will look at next. The first variation is with Slip Stitches. Make the above pattern with only slip stitches, no single crochet. Make sure to always stitch in just back loops only. I love the look of these little round pumpkins. I have found that using a chunky yarn for these does not work out well, so stick with a medium weight. Also don’t go over 20 stitches high or it makes an elongated pumpkin that doesn’t quite look right.
The last variation is one of my favorites. To get a real fat pumpkin, you will need to incorporate some half double crochet. After your original chain stitches, you will make rows like the following:
Rd 2: In back loops only SC 4, HDC 8, SC 3, SS 1. 16 stitches.
Rd 3: repeat round 2.
You will be able to see the ribbing and bulge in your work as you go. Finish as above. I have varied the numbers of rows from 24 to 36 and got good results with each. You can also increase the beginning number of chains to make a larger pumpkin. Simply increase the number of HDC that you make in the middle if you start with more stitches.
That’s it! I’d love to see your completed projects!
