You’re pumpkin-dding me! There’s a new mini crochet kit in town, and I think it’s gourd-geous!
You may remember that I’ve been releasing some mini crochet kits (along with a big kit) because I find them really fun to design – and you seem to enjoy working on projects in a kit. This time I’ve created a set of teeny tiny pumpkins, because who doesn’t love a crochet pumpkin at this time of year!
Don’t let big carved pumpkins have all the autumn decor fun – crochet some extremely cute tiny ones to have on display instead! Big enough for all three, slightly different sized, pumpkins to fit in one hand, they will make beautiful additions to your autumn decor.
Each kit contains 4 mini balls of Scheepjes Catona, the pattern, enough stuffing for all the pumpkins and a cute pumpkin charm stitch marker all wrapped up in a small reusable organza bag! There’s also the optional tool extra of picking up a premium bamboo 3mm hook (US approx. size D/3) if you don’t have one of those to hand.
These are so fun to make, you can make the whole set in pretty much a day, so there’s still time to hook up a set to compliment your Autumn decor. So why not treat yourself, or the crochet lover in your life – the kit would make a perfect present for birthdays or Christmas as a little gift for crafty friends and family.
I hope you’ll share your WIP and finished project photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make! And finally you may wish to sign up to blog (below) and / or my mailing list to get a reminder when new blog posts, discounts or new pattern releases are available.
Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
Did you know that there are now only 74 days until Christmas!? It’s coming up fast, which is why it’s handy that the latest issue of Let’s Get Crafting Knitting and Crochet magazine has a couple of festive themed patterns in to help you get ready, but there’s also a dash of Autumnal patterns if you aren’t ready for Christmas yet!
I’m delighted to say that you can see one of my designs on the front cover; Patches the Elf is this month’s cover star! With Christmas coming fast it’s the ideal time to start some craftmas projects – so why not start with a fun little elf.
He was a really fun doll to make and if you are new to crocheting amigurumi he offers a great chance to try different stitches like loops and picots.
My daughter saw the recent issue and has asked me to make her one of these cute little pumpkin pals – they are really quick to make up so you could easily finishing one in an evening. You just need to take your time dividing up the segments and make sure the yarn is really secure.
The pattern also comes with three autumn leaves for you to make, so you can create your own Autumnal display.
As usual the magazine comes with a yarn pack, which this time includes six different yarns, and includes the relevant size crochet hook and knitting needles for the projects inside.
LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK or if you’re not able to get to the shops right now you can get a digital version of the mag from Pocketmags (the free cover gifts are not available via this digital subscription).
Anyone else get to October and get an overwhelming urge to make some pumpkins?
Not just me, phew, that’s handy 😉 because today I’m going to be sharing a brand new FREE pattern with you; my Slick and Quick Pumpkin Trio.
There’s a large, medium and small pumpkin, and as they are made from Aran / Worsted weight yarn and a 5mm hook they are a quick make. And they are easy too, perfect for any beginner crocheters, as they only use simple stitches, who might be looking for an autumnal project.
They are also incredibly satisfying and sort of addictive to make, I already want to make some more to create a whole pumpkin patch!
For my baskets I used Stylecraft Special Aran which I had in my stash. I chose three natural looking colours of Spice, Camel and Pistachio but you could really play with your colours to match your home decor. They would be perfect for Autumnal table settings, around the mantle, or for a welcoming doorway – after all what’s October without a few pumpkins!
The Slick and Quick Pumpkin Trio pattern is available for free here on the blog or, if you prefer working with a printout, you can pick up a PDF of the pattern for a nominal price (links below).
The pattern is available in both UK and US crochet terminology via the PDF download; the pattern below is written just in UK terms. But you can view a handy conversion chart here on the blog.
Large pumpkin: Approx: 15cm (5.9″) high / 52 cm (20″) circumference
Medium pumpkin: Approx: 12cm (4.7″) high / 44cm (17.7″) circumference
Small pumpkin: Approx: 10cm (3.9″) high / 35cm (13.7″) circumference
Gauge: 5dc= 1.4 inches / 3 .5cm
Obtaining the correct gauge is not critical to this project but if your gauge does not match then your finished item will be a different size.
Stitch Guidance
Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and draw through all loops.
Double Crochet (dc): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
Double Crochet 2 together (dc2tog): Decreases in this pattern are worked as an invisible decrease in the following manner – Insert hook in the FRONT LOOP ONLY of the st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), Insert hook in the FRONT LOOP ONLY of the next st, yarn over, pull through three loops on hook. Working a decrease in this way helps reduce appearance of holes that can be made when working a decrease the normal way.
Pattern Notes
Magic ring: is also known as a Drawstring Ring or Magic Loop and is often used as a start for working amigurumi. To use a magic ring in crochet, you’ll make the first round of stitches into an adjustable loop. Then, simply pull the yarn tail to close up the loop nice at tight. If you are not familiar with this technique you could substitute with a ch2 and then work in the second ch from the hook.
Working in the round: This pattern is worked in the amigurumi style (unless specified), in a spiral without slip stitching or turning chains.
Working in the Back Loop Only (BLO): If you hold your piece of crochet in front of you with the Vs of the stitch on top, the part of the V closest to you is the front loop. The part of the V farther away from you on the opposite side is the back loop. When a pattern asks you to crochet into the back loop or front loop only insert your hook into the relevant loop and crochet as instructed.
Pattern
Large Pumpkin Body
Rnd 1: With A; working into a magic ring, 6dc. 6sts
Rnd 2: [2dc] around. 12sts
Rnd 3: [1dc, 2dc] around. 18 sts
Rnd 4: [1dc in next 2sts, 2dc] around. 24sts
Rnd 5: [1dc in next 3sts, 2dc] around. 30sts
Rnd 6: [1dc in next 4sts, 2dc] around. 36sts
Rnd 7: [1dc in next 5sts, 2dc] around. 42sts
Rnd 8: [1dc in next 6sts, 2dc] around. 48sts
Rnd 9: [1dc in next 7sts, 2dc] around. 54sts
Rnd 10: [1dc in next 8sts, 2dc] around. 60sts
Rnd 11: [1dc in next 9sts, 2dc] around. 66sts
Rnd 12: 1dc in next 5sts, 2dc, then [1dc in next 10sts, 2dc] around until the last 5sts, 1dc in each remaining st. 72sts
Rnds 13-27: Dc around
Rnd 28: [1dc in next 10sts, dc2tog] around. 66sts
Rnd 29: [1dc in next 9sts, dc2tog] around. 60sts
Rnd 30: [1dc in next 8sts, dc2tog] around. 54sts
Rnd 31: [1dc in next 7sts, dc2tog] around. 48sts
Rnd 32: [1dc in next 6sts, dc2tog] around. 42sts
Start to stuff; continuing to stuff as you go.
Rnd 33: [1dc in next 5sts, dc2tog] around. 36sts
Rnd 34: [1dc in next 4sts, dc2tog] around. 30sts
Rnd 35: [1dc in next 3sts, dc2tog] around. 24sts
Rnd 36: [1dc in next 2sts, dc2tog] around. 18sts
Rnd 37: [1dc, dc2tog] around. 12sts
Rnd 38: [Dc2tog] around. 6sts
Fasten off and using the last 6 sts to sew up the remaining sts. Do not completely fasten off; leave a long yarn tail at least 2 arms length for making up the pumpkin.
Large Pumpkin Stalk
Rnds 1 – 2: With D; make as Pumpkin Body. 12sts
Rnd 3: Working BLO; Dc around
Rnds 4 – 6: Dc around
Fasten off but leave long yarn tail for sewing to the pumpkin.
Stuff the stalk
Large Pumpkin Stalk bottom
Rnds 1 – 2: With D; make as Pumpkin Body. 12sts
Fasten off but leave long yarn tail for sewing to the pumpkin.
Medium Pumpkin Body
Rnds 1 – 9: With B; make as Large Pumpkin Body. 54sts
Rnd 10: 1dc in next 4sts, 2dc, then [1dc in next 8sts, 2dc] around until the last 4sts, 1dc in each remaining st. 60sts
Rnds 11-23: Dc around
Rnds 24 – 32: Repeat rows 30 – 38 of the Large Pumpkin Body. 6sts
Fasten off and using the last 6 sts to sew up the remaining sts. Do not completely fasten off; leave a long yarn tail at least 2 arms length for making up the pumpkin.
Medium Pumpkin Stalk
Rnd 1: With D; working into a magic ring, 5dc. 5sts
Rnd 2: [2dc] around. 10sts
Rnd 3: Working BLO; Dc around
Rnds 4 – 6: Dc around
Fasten off but leave long yarn tail for sewing to the pumpkin.
Stuff the stalk
Medium Pumpkin Stalk bottom
Rnds 1 – 2: With D; make as Pumpkin Body. 10sts
Fasten off but leave long yarn tail for sewing to the pumpkin.
Small Pumpkin Body
Rnds 1 – 7: With C; make as Large Pumpkin Body. 42sts
Rnd 8: 1dc in next 3sts, 2dc, then [1dc in next 6sts, 2dc] around until the last 3sts, 1dc in each remaining st. 48sts
Rnds 9-19: Dc around
Rnds 20 – 26: Repeat rows 32 – 38 of the Large Pumpkin Body. 6sts
Fasten off and using the last 6 sts to sew up the remaining sts
Small Pumpkin Stalk
Rnds 1 – 5: With D; make as the Medium Pumpkin Stalk
Fasten off but leave long yarn tail for sewing to the pumpkin.
Stuff the stalk
Small Pumpkin Stalk bottom
Rnd 1: With D; ; working into a magic ring, 8dc. 8sts
Fasten off but leave long yarn tail for sewing to the pumpkin.
Making up
For each pumpkin:
1. Take the length of yarn tail, and wrap your yarn around your pumpkin twice; taking it through the centre of the pumpkin and pulling it taught to shape your pumpkin into segments, tie in a secure knot at the top.
2. Repeat step 1 twice more in equal segments (creating six segments in total).
3. Sew the stalk bottom onto the bottom of your pumpkin using it to cover up where the yarn for your segments cross at the bottom.
4. Sew the stem onto the top of your pumpkin using it to cover up where the yarn for your segments cross at the top.
And that’s it! Enjoy your gourd-eous pumpkins!
If you enjoyed this pattern please give it a love, or leave a comment or review on the platform you got it from – And I hope you’ll share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make!
And if you haven’t had enough of pumpkins yet then you might like my Chunky Pumpkins that I made for my Deramores Designer Shop last year. They are made in a totally different way, with a different stitch using chunky yarn and a bigger hook so you’d get to try something new!
Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
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