October is here! That means pumpkins, fall and all things spooky! If you’d like to add some quick and seasonal decor to your space, check out this free pattern for the Back Loop Pumpkin. Learn how to crochet this squishy and cute project below…
This pattern is available for free here on my blog. An ad-free, neatly formatted, printer friendly version is also available in my Etsy shop.
You may sell items completed from this pattern but please provide credit back to Sweet Bee Crochet and if possible, link back to the pattern location. You may not sell this written pattern, use my photos without consent, or create video tutorials using my pattern. You may not use my photos to sell your completed items.
Notes:
– This pattern is written in US terms (find a stitch conversion chart here)
– Basic knowledge of sewing and seaming is beneficial for this pattern
– Gauge is not important for this pattern
– The completed pumpkin measures approximately 11 ½ inches in circumference at the widest part and 5 inches from the top of the stem to the bottom of the pumpkin
– Turning CH 1 does not count a stitch throughout
Materials Needed:
– Approximately 13 yards of Bernat Blanket yarn in “Orange Leaf” (colour A) and 2 yards of Bernat Blanket yarn in “Taupe” (colour B). Bernat Blanket is a super bulky weight 6 yarn that is 100% polyester
– 8mm hook
– Yarn needle
– Scissors
– Measuring tape
– Polyfil stuffing or similar product
Stitches:
CH – Chain
SC – Single Crochet
BLSC – Back Loop Single Crochet
Special Stitch Tutorial:
Back Loop Single Crochet (BLSC) – Instead of placing the SC into the two loops at the top of the stitch, place the SC only through the back loop.
Pattern (pumpkin):
With yarn colour A, CH 16 and begin row 1 in the 2nd CH from your hook.
Row 1:
Into the first stitch and each stitch across, place 1 SC. CH 1 and turn.
(15 SC stitches)
Rows 2-22:
Into the first stitch and each stitch across, place 1 BLSC. CH 1 and turn for all rows except row 22. After completing row 22, fasten off and leave a long tail for seaming.
(15 BLSC stitches)
Bring the two short ends of the rectangle together. Thread your yarn needle with the long yarn tail and join the two ends by weaving back and forth under the stitches along the length of the edges. Fasten off and weave in all ends (photo A). You should have something that resembles a cylinder with two open ends.
Cut two pieces of colour A that are approximately 20 inches long. Using your yarn needle, weave one of the yarn pieces in and out evenly through the stitches around the top edge, leaving a 2-inch tail hanging out at the starting point. Once you get back to the beginning, tighten both ends of the yarn to close. Fasten off, secure with a knot and weave in the ends. Repeat for the other end of the pumpkin with the second piece of yarn (photo B).
Pattern (stem):
With yarn colour B, CH 4 and begin row 1 in the 2nd CH from your hook.
Rows 1-3:
Into the first stitch and each stitch across, place 1 SC. CH 1 and turn for rows 1 and 2. After row 3, fasten off and leave a long tail for attaching to the pumpkin. You should have a small rectangle.
(3 SC stitches)
Fold the rectangle so that the two long edges are matched up together. Use a yarn needle to weave the long yarn tail back and forth under the stitches of those two edges to join them, top to bottom. Fasten off and leave a long tail for attaching to the pumpkin (photo C).
With your yarn needle, attach the base of the stem onto the top centre of the pumpkin (on either end where closed) with a simple whip stitch or your preferred method. Fasten off, secure and weave in ends. Great work! Your Back Loop Pumpkin is complete!
For more fun and creative designs, be sure to check out the Free Pattern section of my blog. Ad free, printer friendly versions can be found in my Etsy and Ravelry shops. Happy Crocheting!