Pomona the Ghoul Candy Apple Halloween Crochet Kit

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The first rows of this little Halloween piece curl gently beneath your hands, then settle as the fabric grows. Late afternoon light catches the orange yarn, and the hook makes that quiet click against the edge of the bowl beside you. I made Pomona the Ghoul Candy Apple Halloween Crochet Kit by Loops & Threads® | 4" | Michaels® over several calm evenings, enjoying how each round gave my hands something steady to do while the coffee cooled nearby. It is a small project with a friendly shape, a little character, and enough repetition to let your mind soften around the edges.

Why Pomona the Ghoul Candy Apple Halloween Crochet Kit by Loops & Threads® | 4" | Michaels® Is So Soothing to Crochet

This project has a pleasant rhythm from the beginning. You make the round shape first, then add the features that give Pomona her ghoul-like expression. The work stays small enough to hold in one hand, so you can notice the yarn sliding over your fingers and the hook pulling cleanly through each loop.

The main body uses single crochet, a compact stitch that creates a firm fabric without asking you to make complicated decisions every few seconds. That makes it a good companion for a rainy evening on the living room couch or a quiet Saturday morning with a mug beside your yarn basket.

I especially like projects that show progress quickly. After the first ten minutes, my hands felt warmer and the orange circle had enough shape to tell me where it was going. Small pieces also leave room for patience. If a stitch disappears, you only need to pull back a short distance instead of facing an entire blanket row.

The finished candy apple feels at home in American fall decorating. You can place it in a seasonal bowl, tuck it into a basket beside your armchair, or let it sit on the porch near a pumpkin and a pot of mums. It has Halloween character without needing a whole room to change around it.

How This Project Feels as It Grows

You will begin with a magic ring, also called a magic circle, which lets you close the center neatly. From there, increases shape a flat circle, and a few even rounds build the rounded body. Single crochet keeps the surface firm, while the small details add the expression at the end.

This pattern uses US crochet terms. That note matters because readers in the United Kingdom find these posts too, and the same word can mean a different stitch there. In this pattern, sc means single crochet, not the UK version of double crochet.

The process suits a beginner who is ready to count carefully, and it still gives an experienced crocheter enough texture to keep the hands occupied. The first rows may curl, which is normal for a growing circle. As the piece gains height and stuffing, it settles into its shape.

Plan on about 2 to 3 hours of crochet time, spread over two or three evenings if you prefer. The fiddliest part is placing the eyes and mouth evenly. The crochet itself stays simple and repetitive.

Pattern at a Glance

Here is the small picture before you gather your supplies.

• Skill level: Easy, with careful counting
• Finished size: About 4 inches tall and 4 inches wide (10 cm tall and 10 cm wide)
• Gauge: 18 single crochet and 20 rounds measure 4 inches (10 cm)
• Yarn: Worsted weight (weight 4, medium), about 120 yards total, or less than one 170-yard, 100 g skein
• Hook size: H-8 (5.0 mm)
• Other supplies: Polyester fiberfill, yarn needle, scissors, two 9 mm safety eyes, stitch marker, and a small amount of black embroidery thread
• Stitch multiple: The increase rounds use groups of 6 stitches; the body rounds work over 36 stitches
• Estimated time: About 2 to 3 hours

What You Need for This Project

• Worsted weight (weight 4, medium) acrylic yarn, about 120 yards total, or less than one 170-yard, 100 g skein in candy-apple red or orange-red (a widely available acrylic yarn from Red Heart works well)
• A small amount of worsted weight (weight 4, medium) acrylic yarn in green for the stem and leaf, about 12 yards
• A small amount of worsted weight (weight 4, medium) acrylic yarn in black, about 8 yards, for the mouth and optional stitched details
• H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook (a half size up or down is fine if your tension runs especially tight or loose)
• Polyester fiberfill, about 1 ounce (28 g), for a softly rounded shape
• Two 9 mm safety eyes (optional, and easy to find)
• Yarn needle with a blunt tip for weaving in the ends
• Small scissors
• One stitch marker, optional, to mark the first stitch of each round
• Tape measure, for checking the finished size and gauge
• Black embroidery thread or smooth black yarn for the mouth (can be swapped for a few small black stitches)

For gauge, make a small circle or swatch before you begin. Eighteen single crochet and 20 rounds should measure 4 inches (10 cm) with the H-8 hook. The swatch takes about twenty minutes, and it tells you whether your stitches will make a compact apple that holds stuffing without wide gaps.

Acrylic suits this project because it is affordable, washable, and easy to shape with your hands. You can substitute another worsted weight acrylic from Lion Brand or Caron, but check the label and choose a similar thickness. Cotton will make a firmer, heavier piece, while wool may relax and change after washing. If you use wool, remember that untreated wool can felt, while superwash wool tolerates machine washing more easily.

Step by Step

1. Difficulty and stitch plan: This project is easy, but it rewards steady counting. The increase rounds use groups of 6 stitches, and the body rounds work over 36 stitches. A stitch marker can mark the first stitch of every round.
2. Make a magic ring, also called a magic circle, with the red or orange-red yarn. Chain 1, then work 6 single crochet, or sc, into the ring. A single crochet means inserting the hook, pulling up a loop, then pulling through both loops on the hook. Pull the ring closed. Round 1 has 6 stitches.
3. Work 2 single crochet in each stitch around. This is an increase, which means making two stitches in one stitch. Join with a slip stitch, or sl st, if you prefer joined rounds, and move the marker to the first stitch of the next round. Round 2 has 12 stitches.
4. For Round 3, repeat single crochet in the next stitch, then 2 single crochet in the following stitch around. The fabric may ruffle slightly, and that is expected while the circle expands. Round 3 has 18 stitches.

5. For Round 4, repeat single crochet in the next 2 stitches, then 2 single crochet in the next stitch around. Keep the hook relaxed. Round 4 has 24 stitches.
6. For Round 5, repeat single crochet in the next 3 stitches, then 2 single crochet in the next stitch around. The circle should now lie fairly flat. Round 5 has 30 stitches.
7. For Round 6, repeat single crochet in the next 4 stitches, then 2 single crochet in the next stitch around. Round 6 has 36 stitches. The yarn may feel smoother now that your hands have found the rhythm.
8. Work Rounds 7 through 12 in single crochet around, with no increases. Each round has 36 stitches. The sides will begin to rise, and the flat circle will turn into a shallow cup.
9. Place the safety eyes between Rounds 8 and 9, leaving about 6 stitches between them. Check the expression before securing the backs. If you are making the piece for a child under three, skip safety eyes and all other small parts, and embroider the features securely instead.
10. Begin decreasing for the lower curve. A decrease means turning two stitches into one. For Round 13, repeat single crochet in the next 4 stitches, then single crochet 2 together, or decrease, around. Round 13 has 30 stitches.
11. For Round 14, repeat single crochet in the next 3 stitches, then decrease around. Round 14 has 24 stitches. At this point, add small handfuls of polyester fiberfill, working it toward the sides with the blunt end of your yarn needle.
12. For Round 15, repeat single crochet in the next 2 stitches, then decrease around. Round 15 has 18 stitches. Add more stuffing gradually rather than packing it tightly all at once, because gentle filling keeps the apple rounded without stretching the stitches.
13. For Round 16, repeat single crochet in the next stitch, then decrease around. Round 16 has 12 stitches. Finish stuffing before the opening becomes too small, and shape the piece with your fingers.
14. For Round 17, decrease around. Round 17 has 6 stitches. Cut the yarn, leaving a 10-inch tail, and use the yarn needle to weave through the front loops of the remaining stitches. Pull gently to close the opening, then bury the tail inside.
15. Make the stem with green yarn by chaining 6. A chain, or ch, is a series of loops made before working into the fabric. Slip stitch back across the chain, fasten off, and sew the stem to the top. Make a small green leaf by chaining 5, working a slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, or hdc, and slip stitch back along the chain. Sew it beside the stem.
16. Embroider a small black mouth with a yarn needle. If you notice a mistake several rows later, pause and look at the last round. A missing stitch often makes the edge slope inward or leaves the stitch marker in an unexpected place. Pull back calmly to the last correct round, then remake the stitches without tightening the yarn.
17. Weave in every end by passing the needle through several nearby stitches in different directions. Trim the extra yarn close to the fabric. Acrylic usually needs no formal blocking, but you can shape the apple with your hands and let it rest. If you use steam, keep it far away because acrylic can melt under a hot iron. Cold blocking is safer.

Where This Piece Finds Its Place

Pomona works nicely as a small seasonal accent rather than a decoration that takes over the room. I like her in a shallow bowl with wooden acorns, tucked into the basket beside the armchair, or sitting on a bookshelf where the black details catch the light.

She also makes a sweet Halloween gift for a friend who keeps a small seasonal display. Add a handwritten note and a packet of tea, or pair the apple with a larger handmade item for a fall care package. If you make pieces for sale, my own policy is simple: I sell only items I made myself and clearly identify the designer when the pattern requires it.

Keep safety in mind if the piece will visit a home with young children. Small parts and long loose stitches can be unsafe for children under three. Anything used in a crib or car seat needs to stay snug and secure, and this ornament should never hang loose where a child can reach it.

Making It Last

This version uses acrylic yarn, so wash it by hand or place it in a mesh bag on a gentle cycle with cold or warm water. Use a small amount of mild detergent, then press out water with a towel. Do not hang it wet, because the stuffing and yarn can pull the shape downward.

Dry the apple flat and reshape it while damp. Acrylic does not need heat to block, and a hot iron can melt the fibers. If the surface needs smoothing, use steam from a distance and never press the iron directly onto the crochet.

Store Pomona folded or resting in a breathable basket rather than compressed under heavy decorations. Keep the finished piece away from damp storage areas and strong heat. Acrylic does not attract moths the way animal fibers can, but a clean, dry storage spot still helps prevent musty odors.

Keep leftover yarn with its paper label so you can find the fiber information and dye lot later. The dye lot matters if you decide to make another apple and need the colors to match closely.

Small Ways to Make It Your Own

Try a different worsted weight color first. A deep red gives the piece a classic candy-apple look, while orange-red feels more autumnal. Black, purple, cream, and green details can each change the expression without changing the crochet.

You can also use a thicker yarn, but expect a larger apple with a softer drape and a more visible surface texture. A thinner yarn creates a smaller, denser piece. Keep the hook size proportional to the yarn and make a quick gauge check so the stuffing does not peek through.

If you replace the single crochet with half double crochet, the apple will grow faster and feel softer, but the fabric will have taller stitches and slightly larger spaces. Single crochet gives the firmest shape here. You can also work the body in back loop only, or BLO, which means using only the loop farthest from you, for subtle horizontal ridges.

Resize the body by keeping the increase pattern in groups of 6 stitches. Add another increase round for a wider apple, then work extra even rounds before beginning the decreases. Keep the top and bottom balanced so the shape does not become too flat.

A simple border is not necessary, but you can add a green slip-stitch edging around a small leaf. For gifting, make three apples in different colors and place them in a fabric-lined bowl, or attach one to a wrapped present as a reusable ornament.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pomona the Ghoul Candy Apple Halloween Crochet Kit by Loops & Threads® | 4" | Michaels®

Can I use a different hook size for this crochet apple?

Yes, you can use a different hook size, but the finished size and fabric will change. A smaller hook creates a denser fabric that holds stuffing more securely, while a larger hook makes the stitches looser and the apple slightly bigger. Start with H-8 (5.0 mm), then adjust by half a size if your tension makes the fabric too loose or tight.

What yarn can I substitute for the recommended acrylic?

You can substitute another worsted weight (weight 4, medium) yarn with a similar yardage and thickness. Acrylic keeps this project washable and affordable, while cotton creates a firmer, heavier apple. Wool can work, but untreated wool may felt with warm water or agitation. Make a gauge swatch and avoid combining fibers that need very different washing methods.

What should I do if I find a mistake several rows later?

First, stop and identify the last round that has the correct stitch count. If the edge slopes or the marker seems to move, you may have missed an increase or decrease. Pull back one stitch at a time to that round, then remake the section calmly. For a small decorative piece, fixing the count usually takes less time than trying to hide a growing problem.

Is this a good project for a beginner?

Yes, this is a suitable beginner project if you know how to make a magic ring, single crochet, slip stitch, increase, and decrease. The repeated rounds make the stitch rhythm easy to recognize. The features and stuffing need a little care, but you can take your time and check the shape as you go.

How long does the candy apple take to crochet?

The project takes about 2 to 3 hours, depending on your experience and how carefully you place the features. The crochet body may take less than two hours, while stuffing, sewing, and embroidery take the remaining time. You can comfortably divide the work across two or three evenings.

Does this pattern use US or UK crochet terms?

This pattern uses US crochet terms. In particular, sc means single crochet, hdc means half double crochet, and sl st means slip stitch. UK patterns use different names for several stitches, so check the terminology before beginning if you usually follow UK instructions.

Take the Time You Need

Let the apple grow at the speed your hands choose. Some evenings will bring a smooth, even rhythm, and another may call for pulling back a round and trying again. The small work still counts, especially when you set it down feeling a little more settled than when you picked it up.

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