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Easy Knitted Pumpkins

October 24, 2020

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You love those yarn pumpkins but you're not the greatest knitter? No worries, you can still get great results with basic skills.

Forget the rules and just have fun.

Here's an easy pattern you can make with a simple garter stitch - even the kids can do it. 

After all, my kid did.

Jack Skellington Pumpkin with small orange knit pumpkins

Last week, I shared my brand new kitchen makeover and received some rave reviews.

I was floored and humbled, of course.

There were so many lovely comments and questions.

My inbox was overflowing.

Surely everyone wanted to know how to make those delicious new curtain panels.

Right?

Wrong.

They were eye candy. Sewing isn't generally a big draw.

It's nice to think about, but not on the actual to do list.

That's the general sentiment anyway.

No. The questions and comments regarding DIY were all about my daughter's darling tiny knit pumpkins.

Turns out my girls can do more than just sing...my older daughter made that Jack Skellington pumpkin.

Everyone wanted to know-

How did she make them? What did she use for the stems? Are they stuffed? And with what.

Ok friends, I can take a hint.

Lucky for me, I have access to the creator.  

So I have all the juicy DIY details. And pictures.

I mean, come on, blogger here. The minute I saw the yarn and the needles I called to her.

Take pictures!

Now, before we start, I want to share the fact that we are rudimentary knitters around here. The kids took one class when they were in elementary school. 

And yes, there are a million knitted pumpkin tutorials out there, which she googled. But most of the patterns were for crochet, beyond her or too complicated.

However, rather than give up, she decided to do it her own way. And I love that.

These pumpkins aren't perfect, but they don't have to be. 

Crafts are supposed to be fun. Worrying about words like right and wrong sucks the joy out of the process.

So she decided to wing it. And have fun.

When her tiny treasures were completed she told me that the lines on the pumpkins should ideally be vertical rather than horizontal, but I didn't even notice.

And based on the number of emails and questions, I guess no one else did either. 

No, all I saw was a bucket full of sweetness. Holding a handful of knitted pumpkins. 😉

How To Make Knitted Yarn Pumpkins


The best thing about this particular "pattern" is that it's super easy.

It's perfect for a beginner. Or for the kids. 

1. Gather Supplies


Supplies For Yarn Pumpkins Needles, Orange Yarn

She grabbed some orange yarn, needles and a small pumpkin pulled off of my old fall pumpkin wreath to model size.

She also needed orange thread, a needle, scissors, polyfill and wired ribbon. 

She used two different sized needles. Hmmm.

When asked about it, she told me that since she hadn't knitted in years and the yarn was tight, the smaller needle made it easier to grab the yarn.

Now of course, the stitches won't be uniform sizes this way, but you can't tell on the pumpkins. 

Remember, winged it...is this my kid or what??

Although, she did say that after this craft, she's ready to go back to using uniform sized needles. Her fingers are used to it again.

2. Cast On And Start Knitting


Knitting Yarn Pumpkins with orange yarn on needles

Next, she cast on and starting knitting. She used a basic garter stitch, adding stitches until she was happy with the length.

She created several different sized pumpkins so each one required a different number of stitches. 

You can make them as large or small as you like. You'll just need to adjust your stitches. 

3. Create A Rectangle


An orange knitted rectangle on a needle

She continued knitting until she had a rectangle long enough and wide enough to create her pumpkin. 

As I said, each one was different. 

4. Create A Small Bowl Shape


A small orange yarn pot to create a pumpkin

Ok, so now she removed the yarn from the needles and started to shape her pumpkins.

To do this, she wrapped one side of the rectangle around to meet the other and using orange thread and a needle, she stitched the two sides together...basically creating a short cylinder.

Closing Up A Yarn Pumpkin with thread

Then she turned it upside down, knotted the thread and then looped her orange needle loosely through the yarn along the bottom hem or seam. 

And pulled. When she did that, the ends pulled together towards the center creating a bowl. 

5. Stuff It And Close It


Stuffing A Yarn Pumpkin with polyfil

At this point, she grabbed a tiny bit of polyfill and stuffed. 

When she was happy with the size and poof, she repeated what she'd done on the bottom of the pumpkin and closed the top up!

She ended up with a small, sweet orange knit ball.

Yarn Ball Pumpkin

Adorable.

6. Add A Stem


Ribbon Stems For Yarn Pumpkins using wire ribbon on a table with yarn pumpkin

To add the stem, she used a brown wired ribbon. She cut a small piece, again the size will be determined by the size of your pumpkin. Bigger pumpkins will need bigger stems.

And vice versa.

Adding Stems To DIY Pumpkin with needle and thread

She folded the ribbon in half and then onto itself to form a small circle. Then she stitched it to the top of the pumpkin. 

Lastly, she used her fingers to mold and fluff those little knitted cuties into their perfectly imperfect shapes.

And voila! Magic. A plate full of lovely little pumpkins.

Whipped up in an evening. From scratch with rudimentary knitting skills. 

Seriously.


We'd originally planned on stringing them up and creating a banner for the living room fireplace or the kitchen hood.

However, once they made their way into the kitchen, all huddled together, the thought of separating them from each other was out of the question.

Instead, I've spent the past few weeks rearranging them and moving my personal pumpkin patch around. On plates and in bowls.

Adding Stems To DIY Pumpkins

I have no idea where these teeny darlings will land next.

But I'm totally smitten.

How much so?

Well, let's just say I wouldn't be surprised if they were still hanging around when the Easter Bunny hops into town.

If crochet is more your speed, you should check out my friend Julie's blog. She has some darling crocheted pumpkins!

Are you a right way knitter?

Kim Signature


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  1. Those little pumpkins are so cute!

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    1. Thanks Briana! I have to say, I agree. 😊

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  2. Kim, they are so darling. You have a family full of talent. I have never knitted, I have croched a little and of, course, I don't even know how to spell it. I may not have mentioned them in your last post because I was very smitten with your curtains, but they are really cute and she did a great job..Stay well..xxoJudy

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    1. Thanks so much, Judy! We do have a crafty family. My eldest daughter is also an artist. She did all the cover art for the girls' first two songs. We have talent on both sides of the family going back to grandparents and great grandparents. I'm just glad they have an interest. Enjoy the weekend! xo

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  3. Those little pumpkins are so darn cute. Happy Saturday. xoxo

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    1. Thanks Kris! She really did whip up a few cuties. xo

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  4. Super cute!!!! Wish I could knit. Tell her she did a great job.

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    1. Thanks Cheri! I will tell her. She’ll be all smiles.

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  5. They are so cute! Your daughter did great. I don't knit much, but I think I could handle a rectangle. :)

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    1. She whipped them all up in one evening after not picking up needles in years. They were so easy! I say go for it, I bet the girls would love it.

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  6. I haven't knitted since I was in elementary school, so it's been a while! Those pumpkins are adorable and talent definitely runs in the family!

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    1. Thanks so much, Ann! I don't think she's knitted since then either and she's in college now. She said it's like riding a bike...in that case, maybe I should try again, too!

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  7. Aaaawwwwweeeeeeee, they're so cute Kim and thank goodness they're knitted not crocheted. I can handle two needles but one hooked one makes me all confused. Your daughter is super talented and you're right they do look perfect all huddled together like that.

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    1. Thanks Michelle! That's so funny, I have one daughter that thinks crocheting is so much easier and another who says no way, that one needle is a mess. She like two...then again, she's a guitar player and used to using both hands. I guess choice is a good thing!

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  8. I love those cute little knit pumpkins. You and your daughters are just as talented and creative as you. Thanks for sharing how to knit them.

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    1. Hi Julie! Well, she winged it. I love your crocheted pumpkins. I was thinking of adding the link to yours in my post in case someone was interested in that version. Would that be ok with you?

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  9. Thank you for sharing how she created the wee little pumpkins. I do knit, but not real well, still learning. So this will be fun. I just need orange yarn.

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    1. I’m still learning too, Carla. This is an easy one to get me back in the groove. 😉

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  10. Love those little pumpkins - so cute :)

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you so much, Jan. It's always so nice to hear from you.

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  11. I love that she just went for it! They turned out very cute!

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    1. Thanks Deanna! I'm glad she went for it, too. Now I have new decor and a few new darling keepsakes.

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