The Top Hack to Crocheting the Perfect Pumpkin Every Time

When I was taught to crochet, I learned by following a pattern that instructed me to chain a certain number of stitches and crochet a specific count of rows. This is how most patterns read, and it certainly makes the most sense when you are trying to crochet something with a specific size or shape in mind. The problem with this way of thinking about patterns, however, is that they don't allow you any flexibility in what yarn weight you use. My post for you today reveals my top-secret trick for crocheting the perfect pumpkin, using any yarn or stitch, every time. Imagine crocheting not by following exact chain and row counts, but by measuring as if using fabric!

I have been on the crocheted pumpkin bandwagon the entire month of September, and even now into October. While I have enjoyed perusing Pinterest and even purchased a couple of patterns from Etsy, each and every time, I've wanted to make the design a little bit different than the original pattern. After wasting many hours crocheting and attempting to blindly change the size, shape, or weight of yarn, only to unsuccessfully (most of time) reach the look I desired, I had an epiphany! What if I quit trying to guess how many chains and rows would be the right configuration, and instead, I mocked up a few different sizes and shapes out of fabric scraps? Then, I could have an idea of what size of crochet project I needed to create the pumpkin I desired!

We all know that as crafters we have closets bursting full of random stuff we've been hoarding (or hiding) away, haha! For this hack, I happened to pull out some flannel with baby prints on it that I had made into burp cloths when my girls were babies. Just to remind you, they are currently 16 & 21 years old... glad I didn’t ever throw that away 🤣😂🤣. If by some miracle you don’t have any fabric scraps laying around, go make friends with your crafty neighbor or cut up a holey T-shirt/towel. Any old scrap that you have laying around will work perfectly!

First, cut a piece of fabric into a rectangle that you think may result in the size of the pumpkin you are envisioning. Then, sew up the sides together. *Note - this will now depend on what shape you are trying to make your pumpkin. In the example below, I am sewing together the short sides. It does not have to be sewed nicely or complete: it can be pinned, taped, or glued...you get the idea! You only need the sewing to hold the fabric together enough to get an idea of whether or not the sizing is correct. As you can see, I’m using hunter green thread from some curtains I sewed for a house we lived in back in the 1990s. That was the popular color of the time, and why would I ever throw that spool of thread away? Clearly I thought that it may come in handy some day. Combine hunter green thread with baby burp cloth fabric, and I am undoubtedly the most trendy crocheter around! 😂

PHOTOS ABOVE: 1. Measure and mark where to cut 2. Whip stitch the sides together 3. Running stitch the bottom to create the gather

Use a running stitch to gather the bottom. Stuff the fabric with Poly-fil. This won't go to waste because once you have reached your desired size and shape, you can un-stuff the fabric and use the Poly-fil in your actual pumpkin project. Then use a running stitch to gather the top. In the meantime, remember that this isn't supposed to look pretty! Yarnspirations won't be featuring the fabric project on their social media page anytime soon - this is simply a 15-minute hack designed to save you hours of time and frustration later on.

PHOTOS ABOVE: 1. Gather the bottom 2. Stuff with Poly-fil

I made several different fabric options and then stuck Post-it notes on the top to remember the size of fabric that I started with. I also saved a list on my computer that connects the size of fabric to the dimension of the finished pumpkin. This saves me time when I want to create a certain size of pumpkin! Now that you have the dimensions of your pumpkin, you can choose your favorite type of yarn and select your preferred stitch to create any shape or size pumpkin you would like. Simply chain until you have your desired fabric width and crochet enough rows to reach your desired fabric length.

The measurement that should be the chain versus the measurement that should be the rows will depend on how you want your stitches to run on your completed project. For most of my pumpkins, I have chained the width and crocheted rows to reach the length measurement. As shown below, I made a pumpkin using the Even Moss Stitch with Lion Brand Yarn Thick and Quick. I wanted the V that the stitch creates running horizontal on the pumpkin, so I chained until I had a length of 26 inches, and then I crocheted rows until I had a width of 13 inches. To braid the leather stem for the pumpkin, I used a 3/8-inch wide leather strap.

EVEN MOSS STITCH

This "hygge" themed pumpkin was made using Red Heart Hygge yarn and the crumpled griddle stitch. The stem is 5/8 inch wide leather strap. I made it for my daughter's hygge-themed room in New York, and she absolutely loves it!

This pumpkin I made for a family friend, using Yarn Bee Tender Touch in Apricot. I crocheted following my free pattern. The leather stem is 5/8 inch wide leather strap.

These pumpkins were my original pumpkin pattern inspiration this fall, click here for my free pattern. I used Bernat Baby Velvet in Potpourri for the pink yarn, and Lion Brand Vel-Luxe in Silver for the grey yarn. The leather stem is 5/8 inch wide leather strap.

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Finally, here is my disclaimer for this pumpkin hack: this is not an exact science! Fabric is stiff and does not stretch the same as crochet work. So, your end result will depend on both the stitch and yarn you select and how much you stuff it. It will not measure the exact size of your mock-up, but all the pumpkins I have made were close enough for me! When you are measuring, feel free to stretch out your chain and rows a little bit. This will give you more accurate dimensions when you are finished since crochet work is more flexible than fabric. Regardless of the size, it is a cute fall decoration to add autumn cheer to your house or to use as the perfect gift for a friend or family member!

Here are my favorite sizes that I have used:

• Crocheted Fabric of 11" wide by 16" long gives you a pumpkin of approximately 21" diameter by 8" tall.

• Crocheted Fabric of 7" wide by 21" long gives you a pumpkin of approximately 20" diameter by 3" tall.

• Crocheted Fabric of 7" wide by 16-1/2" long gives you a pumpkin of approximately 16-1/2" diameter by 2-1/2" tall.

• Crocheted Fabric of 13" wide by 26" long gives you a pumpkin of approximately 27" diameter by 6" tall.

*Remember...all of the above finished sizes are approximate. Each yarn and stitch I have used has changed the end result a little bit, due to how much stretch the crocheted fabric has and how much stuffing I chose to put in it. Regardless, I promise that this tip will save you many hours of time, frustration, and frogging (I may or may not be speaking from experience 🤦🏼‍♀️). I am excited to hear how this goes for you! What stitch did you decide to use? What's your favorite yarn to crochet pumpkins with? Please leave a comment below!