CROCHET: HOW TO CROCHET A PUMPKIN | Bella Coco Crochet

🎥 Prefer watching? If you learn better by video, you can find the full step-by-step video tutorial embedded at the bottom of this article!

Hello, my wonderful crochet family! Welcome back to the cozy corner of the internet where yarn is our love language and every hook stroke brings a little more joy into our homes. Autumn is just around the corner, and you know what that means—it is officially pumpkin season! There is nothing quite like the crisp air, the smell of cinnamon in the kitchen, and the sheer delight of decorating our living spaces with handmade autumnal treasures. If you are anything like me, you probably find yourself itching to bust out the warm-toned yarns the second the calendar hits September. That is why today, we are diving headfirst into one of my absolute favorite seasonal projects inspired by the brilliant minds at Bella Coco Crochet.

Whether you are looking to deck out your mantelpiece with a whole patch of squishy handmade gourds, create a charming centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table, or craft a heartfelt handmade gift for a dear friend, this project checks every single box. What makes this particular crochet pumpkin pattern so enchanting is its incredible versatility and satisfyingly quick turnaround. Gone are the days of spending weeks on a single elaborate blanket; with this tutorial, you can whip up a gorgeous, dimensional pumpkin in just an afternoon. It is beginner-friendly, deeply therapeutic to work up, and yields professional-looking results that will have everyone asking, “Where on earth did you buy that?”

So grab your favorite ergonomic hook, pour yourself a piping hot mug of tea or coffee, and settle into your comfiest chair. We are going to walk through every single stitch, technique, and styling secret you need to know to bring your very own crochet pumpkin patch to life. From choosing the yummiest yarns to mastering the art of cinching and sculpting your pumpkin into that quintessential chubby shape, I am here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s dive right in and get crafting!

What You’ll Need

Gathering your supplies is half the fun of starting a new crochet project! To recreate this gorgeous pumpkin design, you will want to raid your stash or treat yourself to a little yarn shopping trip. Here is a comprehensive list of everything you need to pull together before you cast on your very first stitch:

Yarn: Worsted weight (Aran / Category 4) yarn or bulky (Chunky / Category 5) yarn in your choice of pumpkin color. Traditional orange is always a classic, but beautiful farmhouse creams, muted sages, warm taupes, and deep burgundies look stunning too! You will also need a small amount of brown or tan yarn for the stem.
Crochet Hook: Appropriate hook size for your chosen yarn weight (typically a US G/6 / 4.0mm or US H/8 / 5.0mm for worsted weight, or a larger 6.0mm–8.0mm hook if you are using chunky yarn). Going down a hook size slightly from what the yarn label recommends helps create a nice, tight fabric so your stuffing doesn’t peek through.
Polyfill Stuffing: A bag of polyester fiberfill stuffing to give your pumpkin its lovely, plump shape.
Tapestry Needle: A large-eyed yarn needle (bent-tip needles are an absolute game-changer here!) for weaving in ends, cinching the base, and sculpting the pumpkin ribs.
Scissors: A sharp pair of craft scissors for clean yarn cuts.
Stitch Markers: A few locking stitch markers to help keep track of your rows and stitches if needed.
Optional Embellishments: Cinnamon sticks for natural-looking stems, faux leather tags, rustic jute twine, or scraps of green yarn for curling vines.

Crochet Abbreviations

Before we jump into the step-by-step construction, let’s quickly review the standard US crochet terminology used throughout this pattern. Familiarizing yourself with these abbreviations will make following along with both written instructions and video tutorials an absolute breeze:

ch / chs: chain / chains
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
sl st: slip stitch
st / sts: stitch / stitches
BLO: back loop only
FLO: front loop only
rep: repeat
RS: right side
WS: wrong side

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s break down the creation process into manageable, bite-sized stages. Even if you are relatively new to crochet, following this structured workflow will ensure your pumpkin turns out wonderfully balanced, symmetrical, and bursting with handmade charm.

1. The Foundation and Body Panel

Start with your main pumpkin-colored yarn. Create a slip knot and chain your desired foundation length. (Note: The length of your initial chain will determine the height of your finished pumpkin. If you want a taller gourd, chain more; for a squat, chubby pumpkin, keep your chain shorter).
Working into the second chain from the hook, work your first stitch (typically a half double crochet or single crochet, depending on your preferred texture and the specific pattern adaptation).
Continue working across the foundation chain, placing one stitch into each chain all the way down to the end.
Chain 1 (or chain 2 if working in hdc) and turn your work. This turning chain does not count as a stitch.
For the second row, work your stitches exclusively into the Back Loop Only (BLO) of each stitch across. Working in the BLO is the magical secret that creates those gorgeous vertical ridges characteristic of a realistic pumpkin!
Continue repeating this row—turning, chaining, and working in the BLO—until your rectangle panel reaches the desired width (circumference). Wrap the panel into a cylinder to test if it looks wide enough; remember it will stretch slightly when stuffed.
Fasten off your main yarn color, leaving a very long tail (at least 18 to 24 inches). You will use this long tail in the next step to seam your rectangle into a tube.

2. Seaming the Cylinder

Lay your crocheted rectangular panel flat on a clean surface with the Right Side facing you. Fold the panel in half lengthwise, bringing the two short vertical edges together.
Thread your long yarn tail onto your tapestry needle.
Using a whip stitch or mattress stitch, sew the two short ends together from the bottom edge up to the top edge, securing the fabric into a continuous cylinder tube.
Tie a secure knot at the top edge, but do not cut your yarn tail just yet unless instructed otherwise. We are going to use it for cinching!

3. Cinching and Stuffing the Base

Thread your tapestry needle with a long strand of yarn (or use your working tail if positioned correctly) and weave it in and out along the stitches of the bottom opening of your cylinder.
Pull the yarn tail firmly to gather the bottom opening closed, just like drawing the drawstring on a pouch. Pull it as tight as safely possible so there is no gaping hole at the bottom.
Secure the opening with a tight double knot and weave the remaining tail into the inside of the pumpkin. Turn your pumpkin right-side out (so your neatest seams and working threads are hidden on the inside).
Grab your handfuls of polyfill stuffing and begin packing the inside of your pumpkin. Pack it firmly so it holds its shape nicely, but be careful not to overstuff to the point where your stitches stretch apart and reveal white stuffing through the gaps.
Once fully stuffed, weave your needle in and out around the stitches of the top opening just like you did for the bottom.
Pull the top opening tight to cinch it closed, secure with a knot, and hide the tail inside the pumpkin core.

4. Sculpting the Ribs and Adding the Stem

Cut a long strand of matching yarn (about 3 to 4 times the height of your pumpkin) and thread it onto your tapestry needle. Secure the yarn firmly to the bottom center of your pumpkin.
Bring the yarn up over the outside of the pumpkin, pulling it tightly into one of the natural vertical ridges to create that indented pumpkin shape. Insert your needle down through the very top center and out the bottom center.
Pull firmly to cinch the side inward. Repeat this process around the entire circumference of the pumpkin, spacing your indentations evenly to create 6, 8, or 10 distinct segments/ribs.
Secure your final stitch at the base with a strong knot and weave in all loose ends.
To create the stem, switch to your brown yarn. You can either crochet a small, stuffed tube (working in a magic ring, working rounds of sc, and decreasing at the top) or create a simple textured stalk. Alternatively, you can hot-glue a real cinnamon stick or wooden craft stem right into the top center opening.
Attach your handmade stem securely to the top center of the pumpkin using your tapestry needle and matching brown yarn.
Optional: Add a sweet little curly vine by chaining 15-20 stitches in green yarn, then working 2-3 single crochets in each chain down the line to make it coil naturally. Sew or glue it next to the stem!

Customization Tips

One of the greatest joys of making handmade holiday decor is putting your own unique creative spin on classic patterns. While traditional bright orange pumpkins are timeless and gorgeous, the crafting world has completely embraced modern neutral and pastel palettes that fit seamlessly into contemporary home decor.

Consider experimenting with varied yarn textures. Velvet yarn creates an utterly luxurious, touchable gourd with a high-end boutique look. Tweed yarns offer rustic charm with little flecks of color built right in. If you want a whimsical, modern aesthetic, try working in muted sages, dusty roses, creamy ivories, or even rich charcoal grays. You can cluster a group of three pumpkins of varying heights and colors together on a wooden tray or woven placemat for an instant professional home styling effect.

Don’t be afraid to play with scale, either. By simply chaining fewer stitches at the beginning, you can create adorable, miniature “pie pumpkins” that fit right in the palm of your hand. On the flip side, using super bulky blanket yarn with a large hook will yield giant floor-bound statement pumpkins that look magnificent parked right next to your fireplace or entryway. The sky is truly the limit when you let your imagination run wild with yarn!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can absolute beginners successfully make this crochet pumpkin?

Yes, absolutely! This pattern is widely considered one of the best beginner projects in the crochet community. Because it is made primarily from a simple rectangular panel worked in basic stitches, you do not need to worry about complex shaping, increasing, or decreasing. As long as you know how to chain and work basic stitches in the back loop only, you can easily master this project.

What yarn weight is best for making crochet pumpkins?

While worsted weight (Category 4) yarn is the most common and versatile choice, you can use almost any yarn weight you prefer. Bulky and super bulky yarns work up in a fraction of the time and create wonderfully chunky, plush pumpkins. Fingering or sport weight yarn can be used if you want to make tiny, delicate miniature pumpkins.

How do I make my pumpkin look authentically ridged?

The key to achieving those classic pumpkin ridges is working your stitches exclusively into the Back Loop Only (BLO) of your rows. This creates a ribbed fabric texture. Additionally, the final step of wrapping a long strand of yarn vertically around the stuffed pumpkin and pulling it tight creates deep, realistic indentations.

Can I use real cinnamon sticks for the stems?

Yes! Using a real cinnamon stick for the stem is a huge favorite among makers. Not only does it look wonderfully rustic and organic, but it also fills your room with a subtle, comforting autumn spice scent. Just secure it firmly into the top center opening using a hot glue gun.

How much stuffing do I need per pumpkin?

The amount of polyfill stuffing depends on the size of your rectangle panel. You want to stuff the pumpkin firmly enough that it holds a plump, rounded shape without sagging, but not so tightly that the stitches stretch open and expose the stuffing material underneath.

Are these pumpkins washable if they get dusty?

If you use acrylic yarn and standard polyester fiberfill stuffing, your pumpkins can typically be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap. If you use delicate novelty yarns like faux fur or velvet, or natural fibers like wool, check your yarn label care instructions and stick to gentle surface cleaning.

Can I sell the pumpkins I make from this tutorial?

Generally, handmade items crafted from free online tutorials and videos can be sold by the maker, provided you credit the original designer (Bella Coco Crochet) for the pattern inspiration. Always check the specific designer’s copyright notes on their channel or website to be certain of their commercial policy.

What size hook should I use if my yarn is too thin?

Always check the yarn label for recommended hook sizes, but for pumpkins specifically, it is often wise to go down one hook size smaller than recommended. This creates a denser fabric that prevents the white polyfill stuffing from showing through your stitches.

How long does it take to make one pumpkin?

Once you get into a rhythm with your stitching, a standard-sized worsted weight pumpkin takes anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half to complete from start to finish. They make fantastic, fast gifts and market inventory items!

What can I use instead of polyfill if I don’t have any?

If you are in a pinch and out of polyfill, you can stuff your pumpkin with clean fabric scraps, yarn scraps, cotton balls, or even dry beans/rice placed in a small nylon stocking at the center (though beans will make the pumpkin quite heavy!). Polyfill remains the best choice because it keeps the pumpkin lightweight and plush.

Watch the Full Tutorial

Watch the step-by-step video below and follow along at your own pace!