Crochet a Velvet Pumpkin – Handmade Fall Decoration Tutorial

A crochet velvet pumpkin is a soft, handmade decoration perfect for fall. It’s cozy, beautiful, and fun to make. You can display it during Halloween, use it as table decor for Thanksgiving, or even make a smaller version for a keychain or gift tag. Its squishy texture and bright colors make it a wonderful way to add warmth to your space.

Crochet a Velvet Pumpkin

This pumpkin is simple to create using velvet yarn, filling, and a crochet hook. You’ll stitch it up piece by piece, gently shaping it as you go, no complicated skills needed. With just some basic single crochet and sewing, you’ll put together a unique piece that matches your style. Add a little brown stem at the top, and you’ll have a finished velvet pumpkin in no time.

Credit Diving Ducks Crochet

 

Materials & Tools Needed:

• Velvet Yarn: Honey Bunny from Hubie (or similar super bulky weight yarn, #6).
  • Main color: Orange (or any color of your choice), approximately one skein.
  • Stem color: Brown yarn, small amount.
• Crochet Hook: 6mm.
• Tapestry Needle
• Scissors
• Polyfill/Fiberfill: For stuffing the pumpkin.

Finished Size & Customization Ideas:

• Finished Size: The example pumpkin is approximately 8 cm tall.
• Customization: To make the pumpkin bigger or smaller:
  • Adjust the number of chains at the start.
  • Ensure the completed rectangle (before shaping) measures three times the height of the finished pumpkin.

Pattern Abbreviations & Terminology:

• ch: Chain
• sc: Single Crochet
• BLO: Back Loop Only
• sl st: Slip Stitch
• st(s): Stitch(es)

Terminology:
This pattern uses US crochet terminology.

Step-by-Step Detailed Instructions

Section 1: Base Rectangle

1. Starting the Base

1. Begin with a slip knot.
   • Form a loop with your yarn. Take the long end of the yarn behind the loop, wrap it around the hook, and pull through.
2. Chain (ch) 16.
   • Yarn over hook, pull through, repeat until you have 16 chains.

2. Row 1 (Foundation Row)

3. Skip the first chain.
   • Insert your hook into the second chain.
4. Work 1 sc in each ch across the row.
   • At the end of Row 1, you will have 15 sc.
5. Chain 1 and turn your work.

3. Row 2 (BLO Single Crochet Row)

6. Skip the turning chain and begin working into the back loop of the first stitch.
   • Insert your hook into the back loop, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through two loops on hook.
7. Continue working BLO sc across the row.
8. At the end of the row, ch 1 and turn your work.

4. Repeat Row 2

9. Work consecutive rows of BLO sc, turning at the end of each row, until the completed rectangle measures three times the height of your finished pumpkin.
   • Example: If your pumpkin is 12 cm tall, you need a rectangle that is 36 cm long.
   • For the tutorial demo, this is 38 rows.

Section 2: Seaming the Rectangle

1. Whip-Stitch to Join Ends

10. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.
11. Using the tapestry needle, sew the short ends of the rectangle together with a whip stitch.
    • Ensure each stitch is secured evenly.
12. Weave in any loose ends.

2. Close the Top

13. Turn the seamed rectangle inside out (so the seam faces inward).
14. Use the remaining yarn tail to sew evenly around the top edge.
    • Gently pull to gather the seam, closing the top of the pumpkin.
15. Secure tightly to prevent gaps.

Section 3: Filling the Pumpkin

1. Fill the Pumpkin

16. Stuff the pumpkin securely with polyfill until it is firm but not overfilled.

2. Close the Bottom

17. Use the same technique as the top:
    • Sew evenly around the bottom edge, pull tightly, and close the gap.
18. Add more filling if necessary before completing the closure.

Section 4: Making & Attaching the Stem

1. Crochet an I-Cord

19. For the stem, create a 6–7 cm long I-Cord using brown yarn.
    • Double the yarn when creating the cord for extra thickness.
    • If unfamiliar with an I-Cord, refer to the tutorial’s linked instruction.

2. Attach the Stem

20. Place the stem in the center of the pumpkin’s top.
21. Stitch the stem securely in place using a tapestry needle and orange yarn.
22. Once satisfied with the placement, weave in and trim all ends.

Finishing Touches

23. Inspect the pumpkin for any loose ends, and secure them.
24. Adjust the filling if needed to achieve the desired shape.

Congratulations! Your Velvet Pumpkin is ready!

Video Tutorial