Turn a tiny crochet pumpkin into a festive hairclip that’s quick to make, easy to customize, and perfect for adding a little Halloween charm to your hairstyle.
Crochet Pumpkin Hairclip Pattern
This crochet pumpkin hairclip is one of those small pieces that can make a seasonal outfit feel instantly more festive. The pumpkin is worked in orange yarn with a little green stem, then finished with a felt backing and an alligator clip so it can actually be worn rather than simply displayed.
The crochet pattern is especially useful when you want a quick Halloween piece without committing to a large amigurumi. The pumpkin is built in rounds, with increases creating its rounded shape and taller stitches forming the pumpkin’s characteristic lobes. Once the crochet piece is finished, the felt piece gives it a flatter, more stable surface for attaching the clip.
Credit Ada’s Handmade
Materials & Tools
- Fine/sport-weight yarn in orange
- Fine/sport-weight yarn in green
- 2.0 mm crochet hook
- Alligator hair clip
- Small circular piece of felt
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
Abbreviations
- MR / ML: Magic Ring / Magic Loop
- st: Stitch
- sl st: Slip Stitch
- ch: Chain
- sc: Single Crochet
- dc: Double Crochet
- inc: Increase – 2 sc in the same stitch
- dec: Single Crochet Decrease
- sc3tog: 3 Single Crochet Together
Before You Start
Because this pumpkin will become a hair accessory, keep your stitches fairly firm. A loose fabric can make the finished pumpkin look less defined and may make the felt backing harder to attach neatly.
You’ll also change from green to orange at the end of Round 7. Making the color change on the final stitch keeps the transition at the point where the pumpkin body begins.
Crochet Pumpkin Hairclip Pattern
Make the Stem
Start with green yarn. The stem begins small and gradually widens so it can flow naturally into the pumpkin body.
Round 1: Make a magic loop and work 6 sc into the ring; sl st to the first stitch and ch 1. (6 sts)
Round 2: Work 1 sc in each stitch around; sl st to the first stitch and ch 1. (6 sts)
Round 3: Work 1 sc in each stitch around; sl st to the first stitch and ch 1. (6 sts)
Round 4: Work 2 sc in each stitch around; sl st to the first stitch and ch 1. (12 sts)
Round 5: Work (1 sc, 1 inc) around; sl st to the first stitch and ch 1. (18 sts)
At this point, the stem has widened enough to support the pumpkin. Change to orange yarn on the final stitch of Round 5 and fasten off the green yarn.
Maker tip: Make the color change in the final stitch rather than after the round is completely finished. This gives you a cleaner transition between the green stem and orange pumpkin.
Shape the Pumpkin
The next rounds transform the small circle at the base of the stem into a rounded pumpkin. The taller double crochets are important here because they give the pumpkin its raised sections instead of leaving you with a flat circle.
Round 6: Repeat (1 sc, 3 sc in the same stitch, 1 sc) around; sl st to the first stitch and ch 1. (30 sts)
Round 7: Repeat (1 sc, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 sc) around; sl st to the first stitch and ch 1. (42 sts)
Round 8: Repeat (1 sc, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st, 1 sc) around; sl st to the first stitch and ch 1. (54 sts)
Round 9: Repeat (1 sc, 1 dc in each of next 7 sts, 1 sc) around; sl st to the first stitch and ch 1. (54 sts)
Check Your Pumpkin Shape
After Round 9, the pumpkin should look noticeably wider and fuller. If the piece is curling sharply or becoming very tight, check that you are placing your stitches into the correct stitches from the previous round.
The increases have done their job by creating the width; Round 9 now maintains that width while the double crochets emphasize the pumpkin’s lobed texture.
Bring the Pumpkin Back In
Now the stitch count begins to decrease. This is what turns the wide middle section into the smaller lower portion of the pumpkin.
Round 10: Repeat (1 sc, 1 dec, 3 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc) around; sl st to the first stitch and ch 1. (42 sts)
Round 11: Repeat (1 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc) around; sl st to the first stitch and ch 1. (30 sts)
Round 12: Repeat (1 sc, sc3tog, 1 sc) around; sl st to the first stitch and ch 1. (18 sts)
Why the Decreases Matter
The decreases are not simply reducing the stitch count. They bring the pumpkin back toward its smaller base while preserving its rounded silhouette. Work them evenly so one side does not become noticeably tighter than the other.
Once Round 12 is complete, fasten off the orange yarn and weave in the loose ends.
Turn the Pumpkin into a Hairclip
The crochet pumpkin is finished, but it still needs a stable back before it can be worn comfortably.
1. Add the Felt Backing
Cut a circular piece of felt that fits neatly across the back of the pumpkin.
Apply hot glue to the felt and press it firmly against the back of the crochet pumpkin. The felt helps flatten and stabilize the base, giving the hair clip a solid surface to attach to.
Maker tip: Check the felt placement before the glue touches the crochet. It should sit inside the pumpkin’s outline rather than extending visibly beyond the edges.
2. Attach the Alligator Clip
If desired, wrap the alligator clip with orange ribbon first for a cleaner finished appearance.
Apply hot glue to the top side of the clip and press it firmly onto the felt backing.
Hold it in place until the glue sets.
3. Let the Glue Set Completely
Allow the adhesive to cool and harden before wearing the clip. This gives the backing time to bond securely instead of shifting when the clip is opened.
Easy Ways to Customize Your Pumpkin
Once you have the basic construction down, the same little pumpkin can become more than just a hair clip.
- Make a brooch: Attach a pin back instead of an alligator clip.
- Create a garland: Crochet several pumpkins and string them together.
- Add a Jack-o’-Lantern face: Use black felt or embroidery to add eyes and a mouth.
- Change the colors: Try black and orange for Halloween or muted autumn shades for a fall accessory.
- Make a matching set: Create several pumpkins in slightly different colors for siblings, friends, or party favors.
A Quick Finishing Check
Before wearing your pumpkin hairclip, check three things:
- The felt is securely attached to the back.
- The clip is firmly bonded to the felt.
- No loose yarn or sharp adhesive edges are exposed where the clip will touch the hair.
Once those details are secure, your little pumpkin is ready to wear.
Final Thoughts
This crochet pumpkin hairclip is a small project, but it gives you plenty of room for creativity. The simple round construction creates the pumpkin shape, while the felt backing and alligator clip turn it into a practical accessory you can actually enjoy throughout Halloween and fall.
Make one for yourself, create a few as handmade gifts, or change the colors and turn the same basic pumpkin into a whole collection of seasonal accessories.
