Ingredients
- Worsted weight yarn (weight 4, medium), approximately 110 yards total, or about 65 g
- Orange yarn for the pumpkin, about 25 g
- Cream or white yarn for the ghost, about 25 g
- A small amount of green yarn for the pumpkin stem (optional)
- Black embroidery floss
- H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Tape measure
- Stitch marker (optional)
- Small amount of polyester fiberfill, about 10 g
- Small piece of sturdy cardboard (optional)
Instructions
- Make the pumpkin foundation: With orange yarn, chain 13. Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 12 half double crochets across. Chain 1 and turn.
- Shape the pumpkin body: Work 2 hdc in the first stitch, 1 hdc in each of the next 10 stitches, and 2 hdc in the last stitch. Chain 1 and turn.
- Continue the pumpkin rows: Work 1 hdc in each stitch across for four rows, chaining 1 and turning at the end of each row.
- Reduce the pumpkin: Work a decrease across the first two stitches, 1 hdc in each of the next 10 stitches, and a decrease across the last two stitches. Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch tail for sewing.
- Make a second pumpkin piece in the same way, but keep the yarn attached on the final row. Place the pieces together with the right sides facing outward.
- Using the attached orange yarn, sew around the edge with small whip stitches, leaving the top open. Add a small pinch of polyester fiberfill, then sew the top closed.
- Add pumpkin details: With green yarn, chain 5, then slip stitch back along the chain to make a stem. Sew it to the top center.
- Make the ghost front: With cream yarn, chain 11. Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 10 single crochets across. Chain 1 and turn.
- Build the ghost shape: Work 1 sc in each stitch across for six rows.
- Shape the ghost edge: Work 1 sc in each of the first 3 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch, and 1 sc in each of the last 3 stitches.
- Make the ghost back: Work 1 sc in each stitch across for two rows. Fasten off the back, leaving a 12-inch sewing tail.
- Make a second ghost piece in the same way, but leave the yarn attached after the last row.
- Join and stuff the ghost: Sew around the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Add a small amount of fiberfill, then sew the top closed.
- Embroider the face: Use black embroidery floss to add eyes and a mouth.
- Make the hanging cord: With your preferred color, chain 36. Work 1 slip stitch in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across.
- Assemble and finish: Sew the cord to the back of each motif, then fold the top of the cord into a loop and sew it securely.
Notes
This project takes about three to five hours total. Keep the finished piece away from choking hazards for young children.
