Crochet pumpkins are a wonderful addition to any fall decoration collection. Whether you’re an experienced crocheter or new to the craft, creating your own pumpkin is a great way to get creative and show off your skills.
Crocheting is a definite fall project. And these handmade, cozy decorations can bring warmth and comfort to any space, making them perfect for the autumn season.
These cute crochet pumpkins are fun to make, and addictive. You’ll make one and want to make ten more to decorate and add warmth to your home all season long.
They’re also incredibly easy to make, even if you’re a beginner crocheter, this easy crochet pumpkin pattern is simple enough even if it’s your first time picking up a crochet hook.
Free Crochet Pumpkin Pattern
In this tutorial, I will guide you through the steps to create your very own crochet pumpkin. This pattern is perfect for beginners, and with a few simple techniques, you’ll have a delightful pumpkin to add to your fall decor in no time! So grab your yarn and hook, and let’s get started!
Materials You’ll Need
Yarn: I chose worsted-weight yarn (#4) for this project in three different shades. I used Red Heart Super Saver Pumpkin Yarn for the pumpkin, Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Coffee for the stem, and Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Spring Green for the leaves.
Crochet Hook: I used a size H 5.0 mm crochet hook. I have this set of crochet hooks and they work well.
Stuffing: fiber fill polyester stuffing, like this poly-fil stuffed into the pumpkin will give it its firm shape.
Tapestry Needle: You’ll need a yarn needle to create the sections of your pumpkin and give it its shape when it’s finished.
Scissors: A nice sharp pair of scissors to cut the yarn and trim the ends is a great tool to have on hand.
Pumpkin Size
This pumpkin is approximately 5 inches in diameter and 13 inches in circumference. They stand about 5″ tall including the stem.
If you use a different yarn weight or a different hook size, the size will vary. A heavier bulky weight yarn will result in a larger pumpkin and a thinner yarn such as sport weight yarn would be smaller.
If you change the size of hook used, your stitches will be looser (or tighter) making the pumpkin slightly smaller or larger. One mm size smaller hook will give you tighter stitches, but the pumpkin will be a little smaller. A larger mm hook size will give you looser stitches and result in a larger pumpkin.
Crochet Stitches and Abbreviations in This Pattern
Magic Ring: or magic circle, this is created by making an X with the yarn over the first two fingers on your non-dominant hand. Then, stick the crochet hook underneath the top yarn and pull the bottom yarn through. This creates a magic ring. You can find a simple tutorial here.
Single Crochet (sc): To make a single crochet, place the hook through the stitch, yarn over, pull up and you’ll have two loops on your hook. Yarn over again and pull through both loops.
Half Double Crochet (hdc): A slightly taller stitch than a single crochet, to make it you will yarn over, put the hook through the stitch, pull up and you’ll have three loops on the hook, yarn over one more time and pull it through all three loops.
Half Double Crochet Two Together (hdc2tog): This is a reduction stitch. To make it yarn over and put the hook through the stitch and pull up the loop (3 loops). Repeat through the next stitch (yarn over, put hook through the stitch and pull up the loop). Then, yarn over and pull up the loop and pull through all 5 of the loops on your hook.
Slip Stitch (sl st): To slip stitch, insert the hook through the stitch, yarn over and pull through the stitch and the loop on the hook.
Stitch(es) (st): a stitch is the series of movements made with the yarn to create create a specific stitch type.
Easy Crochet Pumpkin Pattern
Skill Level: Beginner. This easy pattern only requires basic crochet stitches, crocheting in a round to complete. I’m a novice crocheter and this is pretty simple, the most difficult part is counting stitches.
Crochet the Pumpkin
Create a magic ring.
R1: Work 14 sc into magic ring (14 st)
R2: Work 2 hdc into each st around (28 st)
R3: Work 2 hdc into first st, 1 hdc into next st repeat pattern from * around (42 st)
R4: Work 2 hdc into first st, hdc in next 2 st repeat pattern from * around (56 st)
R5–8: hdc into each st (56 st) repeat row for R6-8
R9: hdc2tog into first st, hdc into next 2 st repeat pattern from * around (42 st)
R10: hdc2tog into first st, hdc in next st repeat pattern from * around (28 st)
Begin stuffing pumpkin firmly with fiberfill
R11: hdc2tog 14 times and continue stuffing (14 st)
R12: hdc2tog 4 times (4 st) Fasten off, leaving 48″ of tail for creating segments.
To create a pumpkin shape: thread the yarn tail through a tapestry needle and thread it back and forth through the stitches all the way around to divide the pumpkin in half, pull yarn tight to create an indent in the ball.
Bring it back up and do the same thing to divide the pumpkin into quarters.
Then divide each section in half so you have a total of 8 sections, pulling tight each time. Tie off the yarn and cut off the tail.
Crochet the Pumpkin Stem
Make a magic ring.
R1: Work 6 sc into the magic ring (6 st)
R2-4: sc into each st around (6 st)
R5: sc into first 5 st, sl st into last st (6 st) and fasten off, leaving a long tail.
To fasten to the pumpkin, thread the tail through the tapestry needle and whip stitch around the center of the top of the pumpkin. Tie off.
More DIY Crafts to Try:
- Farmhouse Inspired DIY Halloween Wreath
- Transferring an Image to Wood in 6 Simple Steps
- How to Make Beeswax Candles
If you make this easy free crochet pattern, I’d love to hear about it in the comment section below! Feel free to tag me on instagram @therusticelk with your creations!