© June Gilbank 2008

Crochet yourself a pumpkin – the perfect pattern for autumn! With this one basic pattern, you can create a realistic pumpkin for your Fall table, a cute amigurumi-style pumpkin for the kids, or a spooooooooooooooky pumpkin for Halloween.

This pumpkin pattern is Donationware – the pattern is available for free, but if you like it please consider sending me a donation to show your appreciation:

Send me a donation and receive the easy-to-print PDF version of the pattern as a thank you!

Donations of any size are much appreciated. Just add the amount you wish to donate, and, once you have checked out and paid, your pattern will instantly be available to download from your PlanetJune account.

The complete pattern and instructions are available below, regardless of whether or not you choose to pay for them 🙂

This is a PlanetJune original crochet pattern. Feel free to use items made from this pattern however you wish, but I’d appreciate credit as the pattern designer. Please do not reproduce the pattern anywhere else; instead post a link to www.planetjune.com/pumpkin

Not ready to make it yet? Add it to your Ravelry queue:

Terminology

You will need…

• E US/3.5mm crochet hook
• Small amount of worsted weight yarn in orange, plus brown or green for stalk
• Yarn needle

Pumpkin

Note: The main part of the pumpkin is worked in rows. All stitches are worked in back loops only.
Ch 16.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch, hdc in next 9 ch, sc in last 3 ch. (15 st)
Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in next 5 st, hdc in next 5 st, sc in next 5 st. (15 st)
Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in next 3 st, hdc in next 9 st, sc in next 3 st. (15 st)
Rows 4-25: repeat Rows 2 and 3 eleven times more. (15 st)
Row 26: Repeat Row 2 once more (15 st).

Fold the rectangle in half so that Row 26 is matched up with the starting chain. Sl st through both layers (Row 26 and the starting chain) to form a tube. Fasten off, leaving a long yarn end to close the ends of the pumpkin.

To form the bottom of the pumpkin, use a yarn needle and the long yarn end to weave through a loop at the end of every ridge around one of the open edges. Draw the stitches tightly together to form the base of the pumpkin, then knot the yarn to keep the end closed. Note: if you are using animal eyes for your pumpkin, insert them now, about halfway up the pumpkin, and attach the backs.

Make sure the yarn end and needle are on the outside of the base of the pumpkin, then stuff the pumpkin through the top opening. Pass the yarn end up through the middle of the pumpkin to the open edge, then weave through all the loops around the top edge. Draw up the stitches around the top to close it, then knot the yarn in this position.

Shaping (optional)

If the pumpkin is too tall, you can shape it by passing the yarn from the top middle down through the pumpkin to the centre hole at the bottom, then inserting the yarn needle at the bottom, one stitch away from where it exited the pumpkin, and passing the yarn end back up through the pumpkin to the top. Draw the yarn tighter until you like the shape. Knot the yarn in this position (the knot will be covered by the stalk).

Stalk

Make a magic ring, ch 1.
Rnd 1: 5 sc in magic ring. (5 st)
Rnds 2-5: sc in each st around. (5 st)
Rnd 6: (sc in next st, ch 2, sc in same st) four times, sc in next st, ch 2, sl st in same st.
The base of the stalk should flare out into a star/pentagon shape. Fasten off, leaving a long yarn end to attach the stalk to the pumpkin.

Use a yarn needle and the long yarn end from the stalk to sew the base of the stalk to the centre top of the pumpkin.

Embellishment Ideas

Keep your pumpkin realistic, or embellish it with a cute face (round black eyes and an embroidered smiley mouth) or a scary Halloween face (cut eye and mouth shapes from black felt and glue to the pumpkin).

Happy Halloween! I hope you enjoy this pattern. Please leave me a comment below if you do, and consider leaving me a donation. Thanks!

If you like this pattern, you may also like my PocketAmi Set 3: Halloween patterns!