Ingredients
- Worsted weight (weight 4, medium) cotton yarn, about 180 total yards across 2 skeins of 100 g each
- Crochet hook H-8 (5.0 mm)
- Polyester fiberfill, about 2 ounces (57 g)
- Yarn needle with a rounded tip
- Sharp scissors
- One stitch marker (optional)
- Tape measure
- Small scrap of cardboard (about 1 inch or 2.5 cm wide, optional)
Instructions
- Make a magic ring with your pumpkin color and work 6 single crochets (sc) into the ring.
- Tighten the ring and place a stitch marker in the first stitch.
- Continue working in a spiral: Round 2: Work 2 sc in each stitch around (12 stitches).
- Round 3: Repeat 1 sc in the next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch around (18 stitches).
- Round 4: Repeat 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch around (24 stitches).
- Rounds 5 through 10: Work 1 sc in each stitch around (24 stitches each round).
- Round 11: Repeat 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches, then work a decrease over the next 2 stitches (18 stitches).
- Round 12: Repeat 1 sc in the next stitch, then work a decrease over the next 2 stitches around. Gently stuff with polyester fiberfill (12 stitches).
- Round 13: Work a decrease over each pair of stitches around (6 stitches). Cut the yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail. Thread the tail through the remaining stitches, pull the opening closed, and secure it.
- For the apple, make a new magic ring in the apple color and work 6 half double crochets (hdc) into the ring.
- Tighten the center and mark the first stitch. Round 2: Work 2 hdc in each stitch around (12 stitches).
- Round 3: Repeat 1 hdc in the next stitch, 2 hdc in the next stitch around (18 stitches).
- Round 4: Repeat 1 hdc in each of the next 2 stitches, 2 hdc in the next stitch around (24 stitches).
- Rounds 5 through 8: Work 1 hdc in each stitch around (24 stitches each round).
- Round 9: Repeat 1 hdc in each of the next 2 stitches, then work a decrease over the next 2 stitches around (18 stitches).
- Round 10: Repeat 1 hdc in the next stitch, then decrease over the next 2 stitches around (12 stitches).
- Stuff the apple with polyester fiberfill as you go, ensuring fullness (final Round 11: work a decrease over each pair of stitches around for 6 stitches).
- Cut the yarn with an 8-inch tail, thread it through the final stitches, and pull closed.
- Make each stem with brown yarn. Chain 5, slip stitch in the second chain from the hook and in each remaining chain. Attach stem to the top and weave in the ends.
- For each leaf, chain 6, work 1 sc in the second chain from the hook, 1 hdc in the next chain, 1 double crochet (dc) in the next chain, 1 hdc in the next chain, and 1 sc in the final chain. Optionally slip stitch around the outer edge and sew the leaf beside the stem.
- Weave in the ends with the yarn needle and trim the tails.
Notes
This project suits a beginner familiar with basic crochet stitches. Allow time for mistakes and corrections. Finished items can be made for gifts or decoration.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
