Ingredients
- Worsted weight yarn, weight 4 medium, acrylic, about 180 yards total, or 2 skeins of about 90 yards each
- H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
- Polyester fiberfill, about 2 to 3 ounces (55 to 85 g)
- Yarn needle with a large eye for sewing and weaving in the ends
- Small scissors
- Stitch marker, optional
- Tape measure for checking gauge and the finished rectangle
- Small twig, cinnamon stick, or unfinished wooden stem, about 1 to 2 inches long (2.5 to 5 cm)
- Small scrap of green yarn, optional
Instructions
- Make a foundation chain of 25.
- Row 1: Yarn over, insert the hook into the second chain from the hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over again, and draw through all three loops on the hook to make one half double crochet. Repeat across. You will have 24 half double crochet stitches.
- Chain 1 for the turning chain, then turn your work. Work one half double crochet in the back loop only of each stitch across.
- Continue repeating Row 2 until you have 36 rows total.
- Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail about 24 inches long (61 cm) for sewing. Fold the rectangle so the first and last rows meet and use a slip stitch seam to join the short edges.
- Turn the tube so the seam sits inside. Thread the remaining tail onto the yarn needle and run it around one open end to gather the opening. Secure it with a few stitches.
- Stuff the pumpkin through the other open end with polyester fiberfill.
- Use a new length of yarn to gather the second opening in the same way. Secure it with a few stitches.
- Create the center indent by passing the needle from the bottom center through the pumpkin and out near the top center. Repeat once or twice until the sections curve inward. Tie securely.
- Add the stem by pushing a small twig, cinnamon stick, or wooden stem into the top center. Optionally, add a scrap of green yarn for a leaf or curly vine.
- Finish by weaving in every end.
Notes
This pumpkin works best as a small seasonal accent. It can be gifted or grouped for decoration.
