Spookette Pumpkin · Free Knitting Pattern

Halloween is almost upon us, sort of. I mean, we’ve got a whole month to go, but in the mind of a knitting or crochet designer it may as well be tomorrow what with all the prep involved. This Halloween I decided to keep things simple and design a very easy, very cute and very beginner-friendly knitting pattern – a pumpkin!

Introducting this free pattern for my Simple Knitted Pumpkin, lovingly named The Spookette Pumpkins!

Instagram has been full of pumpkins recently, and my faves are always the simple ones. With this design, you don’t need ribbing or fancy stitches to make it look textured, all you need is to know how to knit in the round, and the gathering at the top of the piece gives a lovely natural look to your piece. Plus, knitting these up on XL needles gives an incredibly squishy feel that will drive you crazy. Come on Autumn, we’re ready for you…

If you adore cozy makes, I’ve got you covered. Have a look through my complete database of free patterns here and fully get into those Autumn knitting vibes.

The yarn for this project was gifted by Borgo de Pazzi & We are Knitters.

Spookette Pumpkin · Free Knitting Pattern

You Will Need:

· 200g or 70-80 meters of Borgo de Pazzi Bulky, We are Knitters The Wool or any similar super bulky yarn (5-6 wpi) 100% wool yarn in your choice of shade. You can also use t-shirt or ribbon yarn for a really nice effect.

The finished size of your pumpkin depends on the yarn you use.

· 15mm (80cm) circular knitting needles. I used We are Knitters 15mm beechwood needles.

· A yarn needle, a stitch marker and scissors and a stick of cinnamon or thick twig for the stalk.

· A bag of fiberfill stuffing (approx 100g) or leftover yarn to stuff the pumpkin.

Skills: Knitting on circular needles, knit stitch, invisible join in the round, cast on and bind off, weaving in ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What skill level is required for the Spookette Pumpkin? A: This pattern is wonderfully beginner-friendly! If you know how to cast on, knit in the round, bind off, and weave in ends, you have all the skills needed to make this project. There is no complicated shaping or ribbing required.

Q: Can I use a different yarn weight if I do not have super bulky yarn? A: You can use alternative yarns, but it will change the finished size and texture of your pumpkin. If you use a lighter yarn, you may want to hold multiple strands together or adjust your needle size to ensure the fabric is dense enough so the fiberfill stuffing does not poke through.

Q: How do I adjust the size of my pumpkin? A: You can easily customise the size by changing your stitch count and the number of rounds you knit. Casting on more stitches and working extra rounds will create a larger, chunkier pumpkin, while fewer stitches and rounds will result in a miniature one.

Q: What can I use if I do not have a cinnamon stick for the stalk? A: There are plenty of great alternatives! You can use a thick garden twig, a small piece of wood, a wine cork cut to size, a wooden spool, or even a small knitted or crocheted stem. Cinnamon sticks are great because they add a lovely autumn scent, but any natural-looking object works wonderfully.

Q: Do I have to use circular needles? A: The pattern is designed for circular knitting needles to create a seamless round shape. However, if you prefer straight needles, you can knit a flat rectangle, seam the vertical edge closed, and then gather the top and bottom in the same way.

Method:

Cast on 38 stitches, leaving a 20cm tail, and join to work in the round, making sure not to twist the stitches.

Knit every stitch for 28 rounds, maintaining a consistent tension throughout to ensure a smooth finish.

Once completed, bind off all stitches while leaving another 20cm tail to allow for easy manipulation later.

Gently weave the tail end in and out of the cast-on stitches, then pull tight to close the opening at the bottom, taking care when pulling the yarn as it could break if tugged too harshly.

Now, stuff the pumpkin generously with your chosen filling, ensuring it forms the shape you like, rounding it out to achieve a natural look.

Next, weave the tail end in and out of the bind-off stitches as before, and pull snugly to close the top of your pumpkin securely.

Finally, insert a cinnamon stick into the top of the pumpkin, adding a touch of warmth and scent to your crafted decor!

It’s really fun to play around with colours and textures when you make your own pumpkins. I love these brightly coloured ribbon-yarn ones I knitted a few years back – they’re so cute!