Bring a little autumn charm to your home with these soft crochet pumpkins, featuring a simple ribbed texture, pretty color changes, and sweet details that make each one feel wonderfully handmade.
Crochet Pumpkin Tutorial
These little crochet pumpkins have a cozy autumn feel that makes them especially lovely for decorating a table, mantel, shelf, or tiered tray. The soft color combination gives them a gentle seasonal look, while the ribbed texture creates the rounded pumpkin shape without making the pattern complicated.
I especially like how easily the colors can change the character of these crochet pumpkins. You can keep the muted shades for a modern fall display, switch to warm orange tones for a more traditional look, or make a few in different combinations for a handmade seasonal arrangement. The small stem, leaf, and curly tendril finish each crochet pumpkin with just the right amount of detail.
Credit Crochet Patterns
Materials & Tools Needed
- Yarn: Soft cotton or acrylic yarn in four colors:
- Light taupe or beige – Color A
- Cream or off-white – Color B
- Soft pink – Color C
- Green – Color D for the stem, leaf, and tendril
- Crochet Hook: 2.5 mm or 3.0 mm
- Fiberfill Stuffing: Polyester stuffing for shaping
- Tapestry Needle: For seaming, cinching, and creating the pumpkin ribs
- Scissors
Finished Size & Simple Customization
The finished pumpkin measures approximately 2.5–3 inches wide and 2 inches tall, not including the stem.
For a traditional fall look, replace the pastel colors with burnt orange, cream, and brown. You can also make a larger pumpkin by starting with a longer foundation chain and adding more rows while keeping the same ribbed construction.
Crochet Abbreviations
- ch: Chain
- sc: Single crochet
- hdc: Half double crochet
- BLO: Back loop only
- sl st: Slip stitch
- MR: Magic ring/magic circle
- st(s): Stitch(es)
Step-by-Step Crochet Pattern
1. Crochet the Ribbed Pumpkin Body
The pumpkin begins as a flat rectangular panel. The color changes every two rows, while working through the back loops creates the raised texture that will become the pumpkin’s ribs.
Row 1: With Color A, ch 21; starting in the 2nd ch from hook, work 2 sc, 17 hdc, and 2 sc across. Ch 1 and turn. [21 sts]
Row 2: Working in BLO, work 2 sc, 17 hdc, and 2 sc across; on the last stitch, pull through with Color B to complete the color change. Ch 1 and turn. [21 sts]
Row 3: With Color B, working in BLO, work 2 sc, 17 hdc, and 2 sc across. Ch 1 and turn. [21 sts]
Row 4: With Color B, working in BLO, work 2 sc, 17 hdc, and 2 sc across; on the last stitch, pull through with Color C. Ch 1 and turn. [21 sts]
Row 5: With Color C, working in BLO, work 2 sc, 17 hdc, and 2 sc across. Ch 1 and turn. [21 sts]
Row 6: With Color C, working in BLO, work 2 sc, 17 hdc, and 2 sc across; on the last stitch, pull through with Color A. Ch 1 and turn. [21 sts]
Rows 7–24: Continue the same two-row color sequence of Color A, Color B, and Color C, working 2 sc, 17 hdc, and 2 sc in BLO across every row until 24 rows are completed. [21 sts per row]
Fasten off and leave a very long tail. You will use this tail to seam, cinch, and shape the pumpkin.
A Helpful Construction Tip
Keep the ribbed side facing consistently as you work. When the panel is eventually joined into a tube, these raised BLO rows will naturally create the textured sections of the pumpkin.
2. Join and Shape the Pumpkin
Fold the rectangular panel in half so the starting edge meets the final row, keeping the right sides together. Thread the long yarn tail onto your tapestry needle and sew the two edges together with a whip stitch or mattress stitch to form a tube.
Next, use the same long tail to close one opening. Weave the needle through the edge stitches around the opening, then pull the yarn firmly to gather the fabric. Secure the yarn inside.
Turn the tube right side out and fill it firmly with polyester fiberfill. Add enough stuffing to give the pumpkin a rounded shape, but avoid packing it so tightly that there is no room to create the characteristic indentations.
Close the second opening in the same way, pulling the stitches together until the top is gathered.
Create the Pumpkin Ribs
Thread the remaining long tail onto your tapestry needle and pass it from the center top of the pumpkin through to the center bottom. Pull firmly to create the first indentation.
Continue passing the yarn from top to bottom around the pumpkin, following the color-seam areas and pulling firmly each time. This creates 8 distinct ribbed sections and gives the flat crocheted panel its recognizable pumpkin shape.
Secure the yarn at the base and weave in the end.
3. Crochet the Green Stem
The stem is worked in simple joined rounds and stays small enough to sit neatly on the gathered top of the pumpkin.
Round 1: With Color D, make a MR, work 5 sc into the ring, then pull the ring tight. [5 sts]
Rounds 2–6: Work 1 sc in each stitch around for 5 rounds. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. [5 sts per round]
Lightly shape the stem with your fingers before attaching it. There is no need to stuff it heavily because its small size allows it to hold its shape on its own.
4. Make the Pumpkin Leaf
With Color D, ch 6. Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, work 1 sl st, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 3 dc in the last chain, then rotate the chain and continue along the opposite side with 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, and 1 sl st.
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
The three double crochets worked into the end of the chain give the leaf its pointed, slightly rounded shape.
5. Make the Curly Tendril
With Color D, ch 12. Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, work 2 sc in each chain stitch across.
The repeated increases naturally encourage the strip to curl, creating a simple tendril without any separate shaping technique.
Fasten off, leaving a tail for attachment.
6. Attach the Stem, Leaf & Tendril
Center the green stem over the gathered top of the pumpkin and sew it securely in place using its long tail.
Position the leaf beside the stem and sew it down at its base. Place the curly tendril next to the leaf, allowing the curled end to sit naturally rather than pulling it completely flat.
Once all three pieces are secure, weave the remaining yarn tails into the inside of the pumpkin and trim the excess.
Final Shape Check
Before displaying your pumpkin, gently adjust the ribs with your fingers. If one section looks deeper than the others, loosen that shaping pass slightly so the eight sections look balanced.
Easy Ways to Customize Your Pumpkins
- Classic Fall: Use orange, cream, and a touch of brown.
- Soft Autumn: Keep the taupe, cream, and pink combination.
- Modern Display: Make several pumpkins in neutral shades and vary their sizes.
- More Texture: Use a slightly thicker yarn while choosing a hook appropriate for the yarn.
- Gift Set: Make several pumpkins with different color combinations and arrange them together.
Finishing
Once the stem, leaf, and tendril are firmly attached, check the pumpkin from all sides and make any small adjustments to the ribs or stuffing. Weave in every remaining yarn end securely inside.
Your crochet pumpkin is now ready to add a warm handmade touch to a fall table display, mantel, shelf, tiered tray, or seasonal gift arrangement.
