DIY – Crochet Pumpkin with a Cinnamon Stick Stem

Welcome back friends! Do you crochet? I dabbled in crochet off and on for a few years, always fascinated, but never fully catching on. I kept at it, and suddenly, it clicked! I feel calm and cozy when I’m crocheting, and fiercely proud whenever I complete a project.

It’s that time of year for autumn decor! So let’s create a crochet pumpkin with a cinnamon stick stem!

SUPPLIES
  • Crochet hook (size 5.5mm)
  • Medium yarn (size 4)
  • Fiberfill stuffing
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Create a slip knot and then chain 31 stitches.
  2. For this piece, we will be working in the back loop only for all stitches.
  3. Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, create 3 slip stitches, 6 single crochets, 12 half double crochets, 6 single crochets and 3 slip stitches. Then chain 1 and turn the project around.
  4. Repeat step 3 until the project measures about 12 inches long across the center.
  5. Join the two short sides of the project together, and insert the hook into the back loop of the working stitches and the starting chain as you stitch the final row.
  6. Sew a running stitch along the bottom edges of the project and pull to gather. Then tie a knot, weave in some of the excess yarn, and cut off the rest.
  7. Turn the pumpkin project over and stuff it with fiberfill until it’s as plump as you want it.
  8. Sew a running stitch along the top of the pumpkin and pull to gather, leaving a hole large enough to insert a cinnamon stick. Then tie a knot, weave in some of the excess yarn and cuts off the rest.
  9. Insert a cinnamon stick into the hole you left for it at the top of the pumpkin. You can hot glue it in place or leave it loose like I did so that I can replace the cinnamon stick if it looses its smell!
  10. Place in your house an enjoy!

DIY Felt Pumpkin

It is Autumn, my favorite season of the year!

I want to begin creating well-made decorations that mean something to us and will last. What better way to start than by something that will go great with Halloween and Thanksgiving, pumpkins! I’ve created a pattern for fabric pumpkins and you’re welcome to use it to create your own! This will work to create either felt or regular fabric pumpkins, I’m excited to create a few different colors and sizes!

SUPPLIES
  • Pumpkin patterns (see above)
  • Paper scissors
  • Felt fabric
  • Sewing pins
  • Sewing scissors
  • Embroidery floss
  • Sewing needle
  • Stuffing
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Print out the pumpkin patterns I’ve provided, then cut the patterns from the paper.
  2. Pin the patterns on the appropriate colored felt, then use sewing scissors to cut the felt.
  3. Thread orange embroidery floss onto your sewing needle.
  4. Align two of the pumpkin pieces and whip stitch along one side, from one point to the next, concealing the first and ending knot underneath so that the stitching will be exposed.
  5. Repeat step 3 to continue adding pieces of the pumpkin.
  6. Once you’ve stitched the last piece on, join the two ends together with a whip stitch to complete the pumpkin body.
  7. Stuff the pumpkin, then place the circles on the top and bottom of the pumpkin and secure them with sewing pins.
  8. Using a whip stitch, attach the circles to the pumpkin, concealing the first and ending knots underneath. Then remove the sewing pins.
  9. Thread green embroidery floss on your sewing needle and stitch the veins onto one side of each leaf.
  10. Once done with the veins, align the two halves of each leaf (concealing the stitching in between) and whipstitch around the edges of the leaves to make them whole.
  11. Thread brown embroidery floss onto your sewing needle and whipstitch around the outside edges of the stem, leaving the bottom of the stem open. At this point you can leave the stem as it is or turn it around to conceal the stitching.
  12. Stuff the stem, then place it on top of the pumpkin and secure it with sewing pins. 
  13. Using a whip stitch, attach the stem to the body of the pumpkin.
  14. Enjoy!