As the leaves begin to don their vibrant autumn hues and the scent of pumpkin spice fills the air, it’s time to embrace the cosy charm of fall. And what better way to welcome the season than with a delightful and crafty twist? Enter the enchanting world of hand-knit mini pumpkins – tiny treasures that capture the essence of autumn in the most endearing way possible.
In this whimsical journey through the art of knitting, we’ll unravel the magic of creating these pint-sized wonders that evoke all the warmth and nostalgia of fall. These hand-knit mini pumpkins are not only a delightful addition to your seasonal decor but also a testament to the creativity and craftsmanship that knitting enthusiasts can bring to life.
So, whether you’re an experienced knitter looking for a charming new project or a beginner eager to embark on a cosy adventure, join us as we explore the art of hand-knit mini pumpkins. Get ready to knit, purl, and create your very own adorable autumn companions that will bring a touch of handmade warmth to your home this fall.
While this mini-pumpkin pattern offers three different sizes to choose from, its adaptability extends beyond the suggested yarn weight and dimensions. You can effortlessly customise it to suit any yarn weight and desired size. Rummage through your stash of scrap yarn and pair it with needles to achieve a fabric dense enough to conceal the stuffing, and before you know it, you’ll be crafting an entire enchanting patch of these charming pumpkins!
This mini-pumpkin pattern is worked in the round to create a tube. Then, you’ll sew a running stitch around once end of the pumpkin, enabling you to cinch it together to create an enclosed bottom. Once the bottom has been closed up, we will stuff the pumpkin with polyfill or toy stuffing to make it since and plump. Once we’ve stuffed our pumpkin, we’ll again use a running stitch to cinch up the top and prevent our stuffing from coming out. Last, we will give our pumpkins their glorious shape by running strands of yarn along the purl columns and pulling them in.
Skill Level
Easy
Sizes
Small [Medium, Large]
Finished Measurements
7 [8.5, 10]” / 18 [21.5, 25.5] cm circumference, 4 [5, 6]” / 10 [13, 16] cm in height.
Materials
Yarn: 44 [66, 93] yds / 40 [60, 85] m fingering weight yarn (I used Turtlepurl Yarns Striped Turtle Toes for my sample pumpkin).
Needles: US1 (2.25 mm) circular needles, double-pointed needles, or mini-circulars (whichever is your preference for working small circumferences)
Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker
Additional materials: Twigs or cinnamon sticks for the pumpkin stalk, glue gun, toy stuffing or polyfill (to fill the pumpkin. If you don’t have any on hand, stuff that pumpkin with some scrap yarn!), ribbon or yarn (I made a simple 2-stitch i-cord for mine) for the pumpkin curls (optional)
Gauge
34 stitches by 40 rounds = 4″ / 10 cm in ribbing motif, after blocking.
Modifications
This pumpkin can be easily made in other yarn weights, should you choose. Be sure to cast on a multiple of 6. When adjusting your pumpkin size, the number of stitches you cast on will dictate the pumpkin circumference, while the length you work your rectangle to will dictate its height. Experiment with different pumpkin sizes and shapes – if you’ve been to a pumpkin patch before you know they come in an array
Abbreviations
K: Knit.
P: Purl.
Rep: Repeat.
Mini-Pumpkin Directions
Step 1
Using a Cable Cast-on, cast on 60 [72, 84] stitches, leaving a 16″ / 40 cm tail. Place stitch marker and join to work in the round.
Round 1: *K4, p2; rep from * across round.
Repeat Round 1 until the piece measures 4 [5, 6]” / 10 [13, 16] cm. Cut yarn, leaving a 36″ / 91 cm tail. You’ll now have a tube to work with. If desired, wash and block your tube to even out your stitches before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2
Turn your tube inside out. Working with the shorter of the two tails, thread your tapestry needle and proceed to work a running stitch around the edge, gently cinching up the stitches as you go, until you’ve worked your way around the entire circumference of your tube. Once complete, gently cinch your little pumpkin butt closed (if you pull too hard, you’ll break your yarn!). We want it tightened up enough that none of the stuffing will fall out when we go to fill it. Bind tightly.
Step 3
Turn your pumpkin to the right-side out again and fill it with toy stuffing or polyfill. Be sure to stuff it as evenly as possible so that your pumpkin is going to sit as flatly as possible. Then perform another running stitch to cinch up the top and keep all your stuffing in and secure so that it no longer opens back up. DO NOT CUT YOUR TAIL – WE WILL BE USING IT IN THE NEXT STEP!
Step 4
Pull through the centre of the pumpkin and out the bottom. Then, lining the strand up with the purl columns, draw the yarn through the top of the pumpkin and pull it out from the bottom again, pulling gently to bring in the purl columns and give it a delicious pumpkin shape. Continue with this method until all the purl columns have been drawn in all your purl columns. Remember, this doesn’t have to be perfect! Pumpkins have many shapes and sizes, so make them unique to you! Once you’ve pulled the yarn through for the last time, secure your yarn on the bottom of the pumpkin, draw the yarn back into it, and cut it so your end is in the pumpkin and is no longer visible.
Step 5
With your glue gun, carefully secure your twig or cinnamon stick to the centre of the top of your pumpkin for the pumpkin stock and let it cool. If desired, attach twine, ribbon, or yarn to the stalk.
Enjoy the pumpkin season!
