Description
Make a soft crochet pumpkin with calm, simple rounds, clear US terms, and gentle care for a keepsake children can enjoy each fall.
Ingredients
- 120 yards worsted weight yarn (weight 4, medium), acrylic
- H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
- 2 ounces (57 g) polyester fiberfill
- yarn needle
- small scissors
- 1 stitch marker (optional)
- tape measure
- small amount of brown or green worsted weight yarn for the stem (optional)
Instructions
- Make a magic ring with your yarn, then chain 1.
- Work 6 sc into the ring. Pull the yarn tail to close the center, then join with a sl st to the first sc (6 stitches).
- For Round 2, chain 1, then work 2 sc into every stitch around. Join with a sl st (12 stitches).
- For Round 3, chain 1, then repeat 1 sc in the next stitch and 2 sc in the following stitch around. Join with a sl st (18 stitches).
- For Round 4, chain 1, then repeat 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches and 2 sc in the next stitch around. Join with a sl st (24 stitches).
- For Round 5, chain 1, then repeat 1 sc in each of the next 3 stitches and 2 sc in the next stitch around. Join with a sl st (30 stitches).
- For Rounds 6 through 12, chain 1 and work 1 sc in every stitch around. Join with a sl st (30 stitches).
- For Round 13, chain 1, then repeat 1 sc in each of the next 3 stitches and sc2tog in the next stitch around. Join with a sl st (24 stitches).
- For Round 14, chain 1, then repeat 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches and sc2tog in the next stitch around. Join with a sl st (18 stitches).
- Pause here and begin adding small handfuls of polyester fiberfill.
- For Round 15, chain 1, then repeat 1 sc in the next stitch and sc2tog in the next stitch around. Join with a sl st (12 stitches).
- Add more stuffing before the opening becomes too small, but keep the center soft enough to shape.
- For Round 16, chain 1, then work sc2tog around. Join with a sl st (6 stitches).
- Add one last small pinch of fiberfill if needed, then cut the yarn and leave a tail about 12 inches long.
- Thread the tail onto your yarn needle. Weave the needle through the front loops only of the remaining 6 stitches. Pull gently to close the opening, then make a small knot and leave the tail attached for shaping.
- To make the pumpkin ribs, thread the same tail down through the center of the top and out near the bottom, then bring it back up along the outside. Repeat around the pumpkin six times, finishing by knotting the tail securely and weaving in the ends.
- For the optional stem, chain 6, slip stitch in each chain back toward the hook, and fasten off. Sew the stem to the top with the yarn needle.
Notes
If a mistake shows up, pull back one or two rounds calmly, undoing each stitch until the count returns.