Ingredients
- About 145 yards of worsted weight (weight 4, medium) acrylic yarn in pumpkin orange, approximately 85 g total
- A small amount of worsted weight (weight 4, medium) yarn in green or brown for the stem, about 8 yards
- A small amount of worsted weight (weight 4, medium) black yarn or embroidery floss for the eyes, nose, and whiskers, about 6 yards
- H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
- About 2 ounces (57 g) of polyester fiberfill for stuffing
- Yarn needle with a rounded tip
- Scissors
- One stitch marker, optional
- Tape measure for checking gauge and finished size
- Two small felt circles or embroidered eyes, optional
Instructions
- Make a magic ring with pumpkin orange yarn, work 6 single crochet (sc) into the ring, and place a stitch marker in the first stitch.
- Work 2 sc in each stitch around (increase), resulting in 12 stitches.
- Repeat the increase pattern: 1 sc in the next stitch, then 2 sc in the following stitch, resulting in 18 stitches.
- Continue increasing evenly: 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch, you should have 24 stitches.
- Work 1 sc in each stitch around for 5 rounds, building the height of the pumpkin.
- Begin decreasing: 1 sc in the next 2 stitches, then 1 decrease, resulting in 18 stitches.
- Work 1 sc in each stitch around for 2 rounds.
- Stuff the pumpkin with small handfuls of polyester fiberfill until it feels full but slightly compressible.
- Work the final decrease round: 1 sc in the next stitch, then 1 decrease, resulting in 12 stitches.
- Work 6 decreases around, leaving 6 stitches. Cut the yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail, and pull it through the final loop.
- Weave the needle through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches to close the opening and secure it.
- For the stem, make a slip knot, chain 5, then slip stitch back along the chain. Sew the stem to the top of the pumpkin.
- For each ear, stitch a tiny triangular outline near the upper front of the pumpkin, then fill each triangle with short, neat stitches.
- Embroider two small eyes, a triangle nose, and three whiskers on each side.
- Weave in the tails inside the pumpkin.
Notes
Keep the size of the pumpkin in mind when choosing your yarn and hook size, as it can affect the finished product. This piece includes embroidered details, so it is not suitable for children under three.
