Adorable Crochet Pumpkins: 35+ Free Easy Crochet Pumpkin Patterns

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My first crochet pumpkin looked like a deflated orange. I’d stuffed it too little, pulled the “ribs” too loose, and stuck a twig in the top that kept falling out. I put it on the kitchen windowsill anyway. My daughter named it Gerald.

Gerald still comes out every October. He’s lumpy and slightly lopsided, and he sits next to a dozen much better pumpkins I’ve made since. But he’s the reason I fell for this project: a crochet pumpkin is forgiving. It’s small, it’s fast, it uses up the yarn scraps you feel guilty about, and even a “bad” one looks charming once it’s sitting in a group.

So I went through every pumpkin pattern I’ve made, bookmarked or seen friends make, and pulled together the free ones that are actually worth your evening. I didn’t just list them. I sorted them by what you’re in the mood for, because “I need decor by Saturday” and “I want to try a new stitch” call for very different pumpkins.

Key Takeaways

• Short on time? Grab super bulky yarn and a 8–9 mm hook. Chunky pumpkins like the Chunky Fall Pumpkin or Bulky & Quick Pumpkins can be done in one sitting.
• Most pumpkins are just a rectangle. You crochet a flat piece, sew it into a tube, gather the ends and wrap yarn around it to make ribs. If you can single crochet in rows, you can make a pumpkin.
• The stem changes everything. A cinnamon stick, a twig or a crocheted stem turns a stuffed ball into a pumpkin. Cinnamon sticks smell great too.
• Make three sizes, not one. Pumpkins look best in groups of odd numbers and mixed sizes. Patterns with built-in size options save you the math.
• Orange is optional. Cream, sage, dusty pink and navy pumpkins look modern and stay out longer, right through Thanksgiving.

Before You Start: What You’ll Actually Need

Here’s the thing nobody tells beginners: the pattern matters less than your yarn choice. The same basic pumpkin can look rustic, cozy, sleek or cartoonish depending on what you feed it.

Picking your yarn

• Super bulky / chenille / blanket yarn (weight 6–7): fastest by far. Plush, cozy, very “farmhouse.” Great for beginners because the stitches are easy to see.
• Worsted or aran (weight 4): the all-rounder. Most patterns below use it, and you probably already own some.
• DK (weight 3): smaller, neater pumpkins with crisp texture. Good for petite decor and amigurumi-style designs.
• Cotton: holds its shape beautifully and shows stitch definition. Slightly harder on the hands.

The other bits

• Fiberfill stuffing. More than you think. Under-stuffing is the number one reason pumpkins look sad (ask Gerald).
• A yarn needle for sewing and cinching.
• Stems: cinnamon sticks, twigs from the garden, wine corks, wooden dowels, or a crocheted stem.
• Optional: twine, raffia or ribbon for bows, and a small bag of poly pellets in the bottom so the pumpkin sits flat.

Which Pumpkin Should You Make? A Quick Picker

Not sure where to start? Find yourself in this table, then jump to that section.

Fast and Chunky: Pumpkins You Can Finish Tonight

These are the ones I reach for in mid-October when I realize the mantel is still bare. Big yarn, big hook, very little counting.

1. Chunky Fall Pumpkin

If I could only recommend one pattern to a nervous beginner, it would be this one by Heather J Anderson. It comes in three sizes, so you can mix and match a little family, and with super bulky yarn each one flies off the hook. They look right at home on a tabletop, tucked into a centerpiece or lined up along the mantel.

• Designer: Heather J Anderson (The Unraveled Mitten)
• Level: Easy / beginner
• Yarn & hook: Super bulky, 9 mm
• Get the free pattern

2. Crochet Pumpkin by justbcrafty

This is my go-to stash buster. It’s built from nothing more than a foundation chain and half double crochet, which means it’s very hard to mess up. Use whatever bulky or super bulky yarn you have lying around and finish with a cinnamon stick and twine bow, just like the designer’s photos.

• Designer: Brittany Dickson (justbcrafty)
• Level: Easy / beginner
• Yarn & hook: Super bulky (worsted works too), 5.5–9 mm
• Get the free pattern

3. Bulky & Quick Pumpkins

The name says it all. MJ’s Off The Hook Designs made these with a distinct farmhouse texture that looks far more involved than it is. Make them in a mix of navy, gold and cream and you’ve got a display that doesn’t scream “Halloween,” so it can stay out until December.

• Designer: MJ’s Off The Hook Designs
• Level: Easy / beginner
• Yarn & hook: Super bulky, 8 mm
• Get the free pattern

4. Easy Crochet Pumpkins (Video Tutorial)

Some of us learn by reading, some of us need to watch someone’s hands. If you’re in the second group, Erica Arndt’s video walks you through stackable pumpkins step by step, so you can pause and rewind as many times as you like.

• Designer: Erica Arndt
• Level: Easy / beginner
• Yarn & hook: Super bulky, 9 mm

5. Pumpkin Pop!

Ana-Maria of Crochet Highway designed this one with extended single crochet, which gives a nice ribbed texture without any fancy stitches. The best part? It works with any yarn weight, so this is where your half-skeins and variegated leftovers finally earn their keep. Mix two colors in one pumpkin if you’re feeling bold.

• Designer: Ana-Maria (Crochet Highway)
• Level: Easy
• Yarn: Any weight (samples in DK and worsted)

6. Easy Pumpkin Applique

Not every pumpkin needs to be stuffed. This flat applique from Start Crochet works up in a few minutes, and it’s perfect for sewing onto tote bags, kids’ hats, blankets or a fall garland. Make a dozen while you watch a movie.

• Designer: May Shehab (Start Crochet)
• Level: Beginner

Rustic, Textured and “Is That Knitted?” Pumpkins

Now we’re getting into my favorite category. These pumpkins use texture to do the heavy lifting, and honestly, half the people who see them on my shelf assume they’re knitted. I never correct them right away.

7. Crochet Pumpkin with Leaf (YourCrochet Exclusive)

Weronika Miechowicz’s pumpkin has a lovely textured body and a bold leaf on top that gives it real personality. It’s worked in the round with a magic ring and simple increases and decreases, so it’s a great “next step” if you’ve only made flat-rectangle pumpkins so far.

• Designer: Weronika Miechowicz
• Level: Easy / beginner
• Yarn & hook: Worsted, 3 mm and 5 mm
• Get the free pattern

8. Little Rustic Pumpkin

Rebecca Langford of Yarn and Chai makes some of the most photogenic pumpkins online, and this is a classic. The design is simple and calm, with a cinnamon stick pushed through the center. Put one on a windowsill near a radiator and your kitchen will smell like a bakery.

• Designer: Rebecca Langford (Yarn and Chai)
• Level: Easy / beginner
• Yarn & hook: DK, 3.5 mm
• Get the free pattern

9. Cozy Alpine Pumpkin

Want to learn the alpine stitch without committing to a whole blanket? This is your chance. Juniper & Oakes uses alpine stitch and post stitches for a deep, nubby texture. With worsted yarn and a 5 mm hook you’ll get a pumpkin about 4½” by 3″. It looks stunning in blue.

• Designer: Juniper & Oakes
• Level: Easy (with post stitches)
• Yarn & hook: Worsted or bulky, 5 mm (H/8)
• Get the free pattern

10. Tunisian Crochet Pumpkin

This is the one that fools everyone. One Dog Woof’s pumpkin uses Tunisian crochet to create a ribbed fabric that genuinely looks knit. It’s worked in rows: you increase, work the rib, then decrease. My favorite detail is that you get to choose which side of the fabric faces out. A quick tip from the designer: go up a hook size or two, since Tunisian crochet runs tight.

• Designer: ChiWei (One Dog Woof)
• Level: Intermediate (basic Tunisian knowledge)
• Hook: I/5.5 mm Tunisian hook
• Get the free pattern

11. Crochet Plaid Pumpkin

Plaid and pumpkins belong together, like flannel shirts and hot cider. This pattern from Crochet 365 Knit Too is worked in half double crochet as a flat rectangle, then sewn up and stuffed. If you’ve done any color changes before, you’ll be fine.

• Designer: Crochet 365 Knit Too
• Level: Easy to intermediate (color changes)
• Get the free pattern

12. Farmhouse Pumpkin

Grace and Yarn’s Farmhouse Pumpkin is cozy and homey, and it makes a great focal point on a mantel. It’s shown in soft pink, light blue and navy, which is a gentle reminder that “farmhouse” doesn’t have to mean beige.

• Designer: Grace and Yarn
• Level: Easy / beginner
• Yarn & hook: Aran, 4 mm
• Get the free pattern

13. Bella Coco’s Crochet Pumpkin

Bella Coco’s tutorials are some of the most beginner-friendly out there. This pumpkin comes with a written pattern, a toggle to switch between UK and US crochet terms, and separate videos for right-handed and left-handed crocheters. Lefties, you know how rare that is.

• Designer: Bella Coco Crochet
• Level: Beginner
• Get the free pattern

Stacked Sets and Centerpieces

One pumpkin is cute. Three pumpkins in graduated sizes, stacked on a wooden tray with a few dried leaves? That’s a centerpiece people will ask about. Here’s a small design secret: pick one “hero” color and two neutrals, and the stack will always look intentional.

14. Stacked Pumpkin Centerpiece

Lindsey Dale of Winding Road Crochet gives you instructions for three different sizes designed specifically to stack. Set it in the middle of your Thanksgiving table and you’re done decorating. It uses back-loop-only stitches for subtle ridges.

• Designer: Lindsey Dale (Winding Road Crochet)
• Level: Easy
• Yarn & hook: Aran, 5 mm
• Get the free pattern

15. Wheat Stitch Pumpkin Spice Crochet Trio

This trio from Briana K Designs is a little more advanced, and the texture shows it. The wheat stitch gives each pumpkin a beautiful woven look. You get three sizes, so you can stack them or line them up side by side. Neutral tones like oatmeal, gray and rust look especially elegant here.

• Designer: Briana K Designs
• Level: Intermediate
• Yarn & hook: Worsted, 5 mm
• Get the free pattern

16. Harvest Crochet Pumpkins

Yarnspirations’ Harvest Pumpkins let you make a whole set in different sizes for a full table display. It’s a reliable, well-tested pattern from a big yarn company, which is reassuring if you’ve been burned by patterns with mistakes before.

• Designer: Yarnspirations Design Studio (Caron)
• Level: Easy
• Yarn & hook: Aran, 5 mm
• Get the free pattern

17. Cozy Pumpkins

Olga Vogel’s Cozy Pumpkins come in three sizes and are meant to be mixed: different colors, different textures, different moods. The free version on her blog includes a video demonstration, which is great if you get stuck on the shaping.

• Designer: Olga Vogel (My Crochet Space)
• Level: Easy
• Yarn: Worsted
• Get the free pattern

18. Autumn Spice Pumpkins

Six sizes. Six! Dublin Bay Crochet’s pattern goes from tiny accents to proper statement pumpkins, and because it gives measurements for each size, you can use any yarn weight you like. This is the best pattern on this list for building an entire pumpkin patch from one design.

• Designer: Dublin Bay Crochet
• Level: Beginner
• Yarn & hook: Any weight, 6 mm suggested
• Find the paid version (linked from the Ravelry page to the designer’s blog)

19. Pumpkins from the Patch

Veronika Cromwell of Blue Star Crochet includes two pumpkin sizes plus a “recipe” so you can make a pumpkin of any size you want. The small one measures about 23.5 cm around and the large about 32 cm. She used cotton yarn, which gives very crisp ribs. There’s also a full video covering sewing and stuffing.

• Designer: Veronika Cromwell (Blue Star Crochet)
• Level: Easy
• Yarn & hook: Worsted cotton, 4 mm and 5 mm
• Find the free version

20. Crochet Pumpkins by Lauren Robinson

Three sizes, basic stitches and helpful photo tutorials along the way. Willow Crochet’s pattern is a gentle, low-stress way to use up leftover worsted yarn. I like these in white, green and soft blue for a “heirloom pumpkin” look.

• Designer: Lauren Robinson (Willow Crochet)
• Level: Easy
• Yarn & hook: Worsted, 4 mm
• Get the free pattern

21. Pretty Pumpkins

Kris Moore’s Pretty Pumpkins are worked in single crochet and are ideal for new crocheters. Once you get the hang of it, stack small ones on a bigger one or pile a whole bunch in a basket. Lace ribbon bows make them feel a bit vintage.

• Designer: Kris Moore (Krissy’s Over the Mountain Crochet)
• Level: Easy / beginner
• Yarn & hook: Worsted, 5–5.5 mm

22. Crocheted Pumpkin Patch

Brenda K. B. Anderson’s Pumpkin Patch is easy to customize, so you can make pumpkins in every size and color you like. Note that this one is free after you sign up for the Creative Crochet Corner newsletter.

• Designer: Brenda K. B. Anderson
• Level: Easy
• Yarn & hook: Aran, 4 mm

23. Crochet Pumpkin with Leaf Coasters

Decor that you can actually use! Briana K Designs pairs a pumpkin with matching leaf-shaped coasters, so you can set them out on the coffee table and grab a coaster when friends come over. It makes a sweet hostess gift, too.

• Designer: Briana K Designs
• Level: Easy / beginner
• Yarn & hook: Aran, 5 mm and 9 mm
• Get the free pattern

Not Orange: Pastel and Colorful Pumpkins

Let’s be honest: not every home suits bright orange. If your style leans soft and neutral, these patterns prove a pumpkin can be pink, lilac or gray and still feel completely seasonal.

24. Autumnal Pumpkins

Shannon Long’s pumpkins are worked from a simple rectangle using basic stitches, which makes them perfect for beginners. In pink, purple and gray they look dreamy, and they make lovely gifts.

• Designer: Shannon Long (Blue Fern Yarns)
• Level: Easy / beginner
• Yarn & hook: DK or fingering, 3 mm
• Get the free pattern

25. Pastel Pumpkin

Feel like orange just isn’t your thing? Flo & Dot’s Pastel Pumpkin is here to rescue your autumn. Make a rainbow of them and arrange them in a circle on a shelf, which is exactly how the designer styled hers.

• Designer: Flo & Dot
• Level: Easy / beginner
• Yarn & hook: DK, 3.5 mm
• Get the free pattern

26. Petite Autumn Pumpkin

Another gem from Rebecca Langford. This one is small and a little romantic, with a twig stem and twine bow. Because it’s so petite, you’ll find spots for it everywhere: bookshelves, desks, the bathroom counter.

• Designer: Rebecca Langford (Yarn and Chai)
• Level: Easy / beginner
• Yarn & hook: Aran, 5 mm
• Get the free pattern

27. Amelia Pumpkin

Just like real heirloom pumpkins, the Amelia Pumpkin from Divine Debris comes in all sorts of colors and stripes. A picot stitch adds a pretty little detail, and stick stems keep it natural. This is a great one for practicing color changes.

• Designer: Divine Debris
• Level: Easy
• Yarn & hook: Worsted, 4 mm
• Get the free pattern

Halloween Jack-o’-Lanterns

No carving, no mess, no mushy pumpkin on the porch by November 3rd. These yarn jack-o’-lanterns come back every year looking exactly the same.

28. Crochet Jack-o’-Lantern

Yarn and Chai’s jack-o’-lantern is worked as a seamless round using crossed single crochet, with the face worked in. You’ll need around 160 yards of orange worsted and about 20 yards of black. And here’s a bonus: skip the face and you’ve got a classic pumpkin pattern.

• Designer: Rebecca Langford (Yarn and Chai)
• Level: Intermediate (colorwork)
• Yarn: Worsted
• Get the free pattern

29. Easy Jack-o’-Lantern

Gina Michele’s version is easier: the pumpkin is worked flat and the eyes and mouth are made separately, then sewn on. That means you can give every pumpkin a different expression. Grumpy, surprised, toothy… let the kids decide.

• Designer: Gina Michele
• Level: Easy
• Yarn & hook: Worsted, 5 mm (H/8)
• Get the free pattern

30. Jack-o’-Lantern Basket

Want something useful? Sierra Fontaine’s basket stands about 5.5″ tall and 16″ around, which is just right for a candy bowl at the front door or a little storage spot for Halloween crafts.

• Designer: Sierra Fontaine (Sierra’s Crafty Creations)
• Level: Easy
• Yarn & hook: Worsted, 4.5 mm

Animal and Character Pumpkins

This is where pumpkins get a personality. These designs are perfect for kids’ rooms, as gifts, or just because a pumpkin with cat ears makes everyone smile.

31. Fox Pumpkin

Lindsey Dale’s Fox Pumpkin is ridiculously charming, with a fluffy tail and sleepy closed eyes. Stack two of them and you have a fox family. Winding Road Crochet has a whole series of critter pumpkins too, including a bear, raccoon, owl and deer, if you fall in love with this one.

• Designer: Lindsey Dale (Winding Road Crochet)
• Level: Easy
• Yarn & hook: Aran, 5 mm and 8 mm
• Get the free pattern

32. Lil Monsters Kitty Cat Pumpkin

Big googly eyes, little cat ears and a whole lot of spooky cuteness. See Love Share’s pattern is beginner friendly and makes a fantastic handmade gift for kids. Make a few with different expressions and line them up on the stairs.

• Designer: See Love Share
• Level: Easy / beginner
• Yarn & hook: Aran, 6 mm
• Get the free pattern

33. Pumpkin Gnome Amigurumi

A gnome wearing a pumpkin hat? Yes, please. Tidzhen Gyuldzhu’s whimsical gnome is small and detailed, worked with a 2.5 mm hook and DK yarn, so it takes a bit more patience. Put it on the mantel or give it to someone who collects gnomes (everyone knows one).

• Designer: Tidzhen Gyuldzhu (Passionate Crafter)
• Level: Intermediate
• Yarn & hook: DK, 2.5 mm
• Get the free pattern

34. Lisa the Pumpkin Mouse

A tiny mouse peeking out of a pumpkin. Ragnhild Hynne Uebler’s design is pure storybook. It uses back loop only stitches and careful shaping, so it’s a good project once you’re comfortable with amigurumi basics.

• Designer: Ragnhild Hynne Uebler (Yarnhild)
• Level: Intermediate
• Yarn & hook: Aran, 3 mm
• Get the free pattern

Bonus Challenge: Autumn Turtle Amigurumi

I’m being upfront here: this one isn’t easy, and it’s more of a fall-themed turtle than a pumpkin. CarmenCrochet works it in sport yarn with a tiny 1.25 mm hook, and the result is incredibly detailed, with a floral shell and a flower-trimmed hat. Save it for when you want a slow, satisfying project.

• Designer: CarmenCrochet
• Level: Intermediate to advanced
• Yarn & hook: Sport, 1.25 mm
• Get the free pattern

My Tips for Pumpkins That Look Like Pumpkins

After many years (and many Geralds), these are the small things that make the biggest difference.

Stuff more than feels right

A firm pumpkin holds its ribs. A soft one sags. Add stuffing in small pieces rather than big clumps so it doesn’t get lumpy, and keep going until the fabric is gently stretched.

Cinch the ribs tight

For rectangle-style pumpkins, the ribs come from wrapping yarn from the top center, around the outside, through the bottom and back up. Pull each wrap snug before moving on. Five or six wraps, evenly spaced, look the most natural.

Give it a flat bottom

If your pumpkin keeps rolling over, push your thumb into the bottom center while you cinch it, or put a small pouch of poly pellets inside before closing. It’ll sit like a real pumpkin.

Play with stems

Cinnamon sticks, twigs, corks, crocheted stems with curly tendrils: try a few and see what you like. A dab of hot glue keeps a stick stem from wandering. Add a twine bow or a felt leaf for the finishing touch.

Mix textures in one display

A chunky chenille pumpkin next to a crisp cotton one next to a knit-look Tunisian one looks far more interesting than three identical pumpkins. It also looks like you planned it, even if you didn’t.

Ways to Use Your Crochet Pumpkins

• Thanksgiving table: a stacked trio on a wooden board with candles and dried leaves.
• Place cards: petite pumpkins with a tiny name tag tied to the stem.
• Mantel or shelf: five pumpkins in mixed sizes and two or three colors.
• Gifts: teachers, neighbors and coworkers all love a handmade pumpkin.
• Craft fairs: quick chunky pumpkins are reliable sellers in the fall. Check each designer’s terms before selling.
• Kids’ rooms: fox, cat and mouse pumpkins double as soft toys.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Pumpkin Patch Starts With One

Gerald was never going to win any prizes. But he taught me that the second pumpkin is always better than the first, and the fifth is better than the second. That’s the beauty of this project. It’s small enough to finish, forgiving enough to experiment with, and cozy enough to make you want to keep going.

So pick one pattern from this list tonight. Just one. Grab whatever yarn is closest, find a stick in the garden, and make your first pumpkin. Then make another. By the end of October, you’ll have a whole patch.

Now I’d love to hear from you: which pumpkin are you making first? And do you name yours too, or is that just me? Tell me in the comments, and if you share a photo on Pinterest or Instagram, I’d love to see your little pumpkin patch grow.