Free Crochet Pattern | The Not-So-Knit Pumpkin
Written by: Kristen M
Published on 7/26/2024
Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. I will receive a small commission when you make a purchase through the links in this post at no additional cost to you.
Hi there friends!
With Fall right around the corner, I wanted to share one of my favorite simple pumpkin patterns!
Crocheted pumpkins might be some of the cutest simple crochet patterns out there! They’re perfect for fall markets if you’re a market seller, decorating small areas of your own home, or gifting to your neighbors and friend’s during the holiday season.
And the best part - they work up SO quickly!
Want to save this pattern for later? Don’t forget to pin the image below so you can come back to it when you’re ready!
You really can’t go wrong with a cute pumpkin pattern and I’m so excited to finally share mine as a FREE pattern for you!
I designed this cute crocheted pumpkin pattern last fall and had so much fun with it and the knit-like features it captured. The thought behind it was pretty simple - I wanted it to look like a knitted pumpkin, except it’s not knit - it’s crocheted!
The stitch used for this pattern can be tricky for some, so I recommend giving yourself a lot of patience with it and read through the pattern fully before beginning.
If you’d rather have the ad-free PDF to save in your personal pattern files, be sure to check it out in my shop at this link!
This small crocheted pumpkin pattern uses any worsted weight yarn you want! The end result is just so cute, you’ll definitely want to make more than one! The finished measurements for this pumpkin are 2.5” tall by 5” wide. A perfect little size to add to any gift or market display!
Here’s a list of the few different yarns I have personally used with the Not-So-Knit Pumpkin Pattern:
These beautiful yarns listed above look great and are really fun to work with, but it’s totally up to you to use whatever worsted (size 4) weight yarn you’d like.
This pattern is worked continuously in the round and with one main stitch - the waistcoat stitch. If you’re unfamiliar with this stitch, I recommend looking up a video tutorial to get you started.
The waistcoat stitch is typically used for things like the border of a crocheted bag, the cuffs on a crocheted sweater sleeve, or any other area of a project where you need more durability. It’s a stitch that creates a very dense and sturdy material, which is why it can be a little more tough to work with.
In this pattern, however, if you follow my one secret tip when working your waistcoat stitches, you’ll find it works up SO much easier.
Are you ready? Here’s my secret tip!
Be absolutely sure to keep your tension very, very, LOOSE with the waistcoat stitch in this pattern. You might be thinking… “I already have a loose tension, so I’ll be good.” But I’m telling you now, you’ll need to make it even more loose. Right when you think it’s already loose, it’s probably still not loose enough for this pattern.
If your stitches aren’t loose enough, the stitches on the next round will be really difficult to work because you won’t be able to smoothly and easily get your hook into the right spot. If you’re worried about holes in between your stitches because of the loose tension, that’s the great thing about how dense this stitch is - even with a really loose tension, it still creates a beautifully full material that you won’t be able to see your stuffing through.
So now that you know my biggest secret tip, are you ready to get started?
The Not-So-Knit Pumpkin Free Crochet Pattern
Materials
Hook: H-8 (5.00mm)
Filling: Fiberfill stuffing or yarn scraps
Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors
Pattern Gauge
14 sts x 18 rows = 4” (10 cm) in waistcoat stitch
Helpful Pattern Details
Difficulty level: Intermediate
This pattern is written in English, using U.S. crochet terms.
This pattern is worked continuously in the round, and is worked with one main stitch - the waistcoat stitch. If you’ve never worked the waistcoat stitch before, it’s a simple stitch in concept but can take a little time getting used to. It may help to look up some video tutorials or work some swatches before beginning. You’re basically creating a sc, except you’re working it into the front “v” of the stitch instead of the top.
Finished measurements: 2.5” (6 cm) tall x 5” (13 cm) wide
Secrete TIP: The KEY to making your pumpkin most like the pattern, is to pay very close attention to your tension. If your tension is too tight, it will be difficult to work the next round of your stitches and will take much longer to finish your pumpkin. Be sure to keep your tension LOOSE, so you can easily insert your hook for the stitches in your next round. If you’re still having trouble with your stitches, try to go up one hook size.
The right side of your work is the side of your work that is facing you. Rnd 1 is the the bottom of your pumpkin, and rnd 22 is the top of your pumpkin.
If you’re concerned your loose tension will allow stuffing to be seen through your pumpkin, don’t worry! The waistcoat stitch creates a very dense material as is, so even with a loose tension, there will be little to no stuffing showing through when you’re finished.
Your pumpkin is finished by cinching each end, using the long tail you left hanging to create the shaping of your pumpkin, and then crocheting the stem and sewing it on top. Voila! You made a pumpkin!
This pattern contains affiliate links in the materials section for the type of yarn I recommend using. With every purchase through the link provided, I earn a small commission and am so grateful for your support!
Abbreviations
beg = beginning
ch(s) = chain stitch(es)
rep = repeat
rnd = round
sc = single crochet
st(s) = stitch(es)
wc = waistcoat stitch
yo = yarn over
Special Stitches
The Waistcoat Stitch (wc) = Insert your hook into the space between the two front vertical bars of your next st, yo and pull up a loop on your hook, yo and pull through both loops on your hook.
Pattern
The Pumpkin
Note: place a st marker in 1st st of each rnd. Remember to keep your tension LOOSE - I can’t emphasize this enough.
With Color A
Leave an 18” (46 cm) tail for assembly.
Ch 35, making sure not to twist ch, join with a sc to the 1st ch to form a circle.
Rnd 1: sc in each ch around. (photo A). (35 sc)
Rnds 2-22: wc in each st around. (35 wc)
Fasten off, leaving a 26” (66 cm) tail for assembly.
Continue below to stem instructions.
Photo A: this is what your pumpkin should look like after fastening off on round 22.
You should have long tails on both the top and bottom. The side of the pumpkin that has these “v” stitches is the right side.
The Stem
With Color B
Leave an 8” (20cm) tail for sewing.
Ch 6
Row 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 2 sc in each st across. (10 sc)
Fasten off leaving another 8” (20 cm) tail for sewing, and set aside. Continue to assembly.
Assembly
Step 1: Using your 18” (46 cm) tail and tapestry needle, weave the yarn through each st around the bottom of your pumpkin. Pull yarn gently to cinch closed and tie a couple of knots to secure (photo B1).Do not fasten off.
Step 2: Stuff your pumpkin! Stuff more if you want a firmer/taller pumpkin. Stuff a little less if you’d like a flatter looking pumpkin!
Step 3: Using your 26” (66 cm) tail and tapestry needle, weave the yarn through each st around the top of your pumpkin. Pull yarn gently to cinch closed (photo B2).
Step 4: Once cinched tightly, insert your needle down through the middle of your pumpkin and out the bottom. To form the “squashed” shape of your pumpkin, tie your 2yarn tails together as tight as possible (photo B3).
Step 5: Using your longer 26” (66cm) yarn tail, *pull yarn tightly around the outside of your pumpkin, insert needle back into the top center and down through the bottom,* rep from *to* 6-8 times around to create the shaping of your pumpkin (photo B4).
Tie your 2 yarn tails together with 2-3 knots at the bottom of your pumpkin to secure. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Step 6: Using a tapestry needle, insert each 8” (20 cm) yarn tail of the stem down through the top of your pumpkin and through the bottom. Tie tails together in 3- 4 knots at the bottom of your pumpkin.
Fasten off and weave in ends!
Congrats! You’ve finished your first Not So Knit Pumpkin! I really hope you enjoyed making this simple little crocheted pumpkin to add to your pumpkin loving life.
This pattern is a copyright © 2024 Junebug and James. Pattern and photos can not be used for resale purposes. Distribution in part or in whole of this pattern is strictly forbidden. Any Not-So-Knit Pumpkin created using this pattern may be sold, but please remember to give credit to Junebug and James. | www.junebugandjames.com
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