How to Crochet a Pumpkin

1. Start Crocheting the Pumpkin

   Make a magic circle.

   Round 1: Single crochet 6 into the ring.

   Pull the starting yarn to tighten the ring.

2. Crochet the Pumpkin

   With the magic circle started, it's time to crochet the sphere that will form the pumpkin.

   At the beginning of each round, chain 1. At the end of each round, slip stitch to join.

   Round 2: Single crochet 2 in each stitch.
   Round 3: *Single crochet 1, single crochet 2 in next stitch. Repeat from *
   Round 4: *Single crochet 2, single crochet 2 in next stitch. Repeat from *
   Round 5: *Single crochet 3, single crochet 2 in next stitch. Repeat from *
   Round 6: *Single crochet 4, single crochet 2 in next stitch. Repeat from *
   Round 7: *Single crochet 5, single crochet 2 in next stitch. Repeat from *
   Round 8: *Single crochet 6, single crochet 2 in next stitch. Repeat from *
   Round 9: *Single crochet 7, single crochet 2 in next stitch. Repeat from *
   Round 10: *Single crochet 8, single crochet 2 in next stitch. Repeat from *
   Round 11: Single crochet in each stitch.

   Repeat round 11 a total of 10 times.

   You should have a little over half of a pumpkin. Now it's time to start decreasing stitches to make the other half of the pumpkin.

   Round 12: *Single crochet 8, single crochet 2 together. Repeat from *
   Round 13: *Single crochet 7, single crochet 2 together. Repeat from *
   Round 14: *Single crochet 6, single crochet 2 together. Repeat from *
   Round 15: *Single crochet 5, single crochet 2 together. Repeat from *
   Round 16: *Single crochet 4, single crochet 2 together. Repeat from *
   Round 17: *Single crochet 3, single crochet 2 together. Repeat from *
   Round 18: *Single crochet 2, single crochet 2 together. Repeat from *
   Round 19: *Single crochet 1, single crochet 2 together. Repeat from *

   Pause your crochet for a moment, because before the pumpkin closes up the opening, you need to add a face and stuffing.

3. Add the Face

   Install two large safety eyes on the side of the pumpkin. You can insert the posts right through the stitches. Be sure to press the backs on so they are fully secure.

   Warning

   Even though these eyes are large, the small pieces are not suitable for young children. If you want to give this to a child under the age of 3, consider embroidering the eyes instead.

   Cut a piece of black yarn that's about 24 inches long. Fold it in half and thread the two ends through a yarn needle, leaving the loop at the other end.

   Come up through the crochet with your needle and go back down, slipping the needle through the yarn loop. This makes your first stitch while also securing the yarn. Stitch a simple smile with back stitch.

4. Stuff the Pumpkin

   Remove your crochet hook and pull the working loop larger to avoid losing that stitch. Stuffing this without the hook attached is much easier.

   Fill the pumpkin with stuffing. Add the stuffing in small pieces to reduce lumpiness. Be sure to fill the whole pumpkin so it's as firm or squishy as you want.

5. Crochet to Close the Opening

   Place the working loop back on the hook and tighten it around the hook again. Now you can continue crocheting to close the opening.

   Round 20: *Single crochet 2 together. Repeat from *
   Round 21: *Single crochet 2 together. Repeat from *

   Cut the yarn, leaving a tail that's about 18 inches long. Pull the yarn through the working loop to secure it. Use a yarn needle to weave the tail through the stitches and help close the small opening.

6. Shape the Pumpkin

   On the side of the pumpkin with the magic ring, insert your crochet hook and press it all the way down.

   Compress the pumpkin so the hook can come out through the round you just finished crocheting.

   Loop the yarn tail around the hook and draw the tail through the pumpkin and out the other side.

   With the pumpkin pressed down, use a yarn needle to secure the tail and hold the pumpkin in shape. Weave the yarn ends.

7. Add the Stem

   Cut a long strip of tan felt that's about 2 x 18 inches. It doesn't need to be perfectly straight. In fact, a slight taper will make a more natural stem.

   Tightly roll the felt and use a needle and embroidery floss to stitch the end with whip stitch.

   Sew the stem to the top of your pumpkin, stitching through the felt and the crochet.

Your crocheted pumpkin is all finished, and all you need to do is squeeze and squish it!

What's great about this pattern is that it also works a bit like a recipe. For example, you can change the size by working with a different weight yarn and a hook that corresponds with it. You can also make a squatter pumpkin by working few repeats of round 11, or make it taller by adding more repeats of round 11. You can also use the crocheted ball tutorial as a guide for altering the size.

And remember, not all pumpkins are orange. You can crochet a whole rainbow of pumpkins!