Knitted Pumpkin (decorative) - Small/Medium/Large

Easy, stash-busting knitted pumpkin worked in the round. This pattern makes a firm, plump pumpkin you can use as fall decor, a pincushion, or a gift. Choose small, medium or large sizes—instructions give suggested stitch counts, lengths and yarn amounts. Includes US, UK Old and Metric Needle Size and yarn amounts in Imperial and Metric.

Finished sizes (approx)

Small: 3.5" / 9 cm diameter
Medium: 5" / 13 cm diameter
Large: 7" / 18 cm diameter

Materials

Yarn: Worsted/Aran (Category 4). Imperial and Metric yardage: Small 45 yards (41 m), Medium 100 yards (91 m), Large 170 yards (155 m). Any smooth worsted-weight yarn. Sample used: worsted acrylic or wool blend.
Needles (in the round) - US, UK Old and Metric Needle Size: Main needles: US 8 (5.0 mm) / UK (old) 6 / Metric 5.0 mm. Optional for slightly firmer fabric: US 7 (4.5 mm) / UK (old) 7 / Metric 4.5 mm. For i-cord stem: use same needles or one size smaller (US 7 / UK 7 / 4.5 mm). Use 16" circular for magic-loop or DPNs (set of 4) sized for the stitch counts.
Tapestry needle (blunt) for closing and segmenting
Stitch marker
Polyfill stuffing: Small 15–30 g, Medium 40–60 g, Large 80–120 g (use small handfuls until firm)
Scrap yarn or worsted yarn in brown/green for stem; optional embroidery floss for vine/leaf
Scissors

Gauge

Approximately 18 sts = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette on US 8 (5.0 mm). Gauge is not critical for this decorative item, but affects final size.

Abbreviations

k = knit
p = purl
st(s) = stitch(es)
k2tog = knit 2 together (decrease)
p2tog = purl 2 together
CO = cast on
pm = place marker
rnd = round

Notes

Pattern worked in the round. Use either DPNs, short circular (magic-loop) or circular needles.
You can adjust firmness by stuffing more or using smaller needles for denser fabric.
Segments (ribs) are created after stuffing by stitching vertical lines over the pumpkin and pulling tight to form the classic pumpkin lobes.

Sizes & Cast-on / Length

Small: CO 48 sts. Work until piece measures 2.5" / 6 cm from cast-on edge.
Medium: CO 72 sts. Work until piece measures 3.5" / 9 cm from cast-on edge.
Large: CO 96 sts. Work until piece measures 4.5" / 11.5 cm from cast-on edge.

Body (worked twice to make top and bottom, then joined) - Option A: Seamless tube (recommended)

CO specified number of sts using a stretchy cast-on (long-tail or German). Join carefully for working in the round, placing marker for rnd start—do not twist.
Knit in stockinette in the round (knit every rnd) until piece measures specified length above.
Decrease to close one end: Rnd 1: *k6, k2tog* repeat to end (adjust numbers if needed to keep consistent pattern); Rnd 2: knit all sts. Continue decreasing every other rnd with same proportion (k to last 2, k2tog) until approximately 8 sts remain. Cut yarn leaving long tail; thread through remaining sts with tapestry needle and pull tight to close. Weave tail securely. Turn inside out so closed end will be the pumpkin bottom or top as you prefer.
Stuff firmly with polyfill. Add stuffing in small amounts and pack to get plump shape.
Close the remaining open end the same way: if you left the cast-on edge open, use a tapestry needle and the tail to thread through live sts, draw closed until neat and secure. Alternatively, knit a second identical tube, turn the second one inside out, insert the closed end of one tube into the open end of the other, and graft or mattress-stitch them together for a seamless join; then stuff before fully closing.

Fast segmenting (create ribs)

Create 6 or 8 segments depending on desired look. Six wide ribs gives a classic pumpkin; eight gives a fuller look. Use a length of scrap worsted or strong embroidery thread.

Decide how many segments: 6 or 8. Fold the pumpkin to eyeball equal divisions or count sts: for 48 sts, 6 segments = 8 sts per segment; for 72 sts, 6 segments = 12 sts per segment; for 96 sts, 6 segments = 16 sts per segment. For 8 segments: divide by 8 accordingly.
With a long tapestry needle and a doubled length of yarn, anchor the yarn at the pumpkin top center (where the stem will be) and pull down to the bottom center, catching the fabric between stitches (not through stuffing) and then back up to the top to form one vertical channel. Repeat at equal intervals around the pumpkin until you have the chosen number of ribs. For a neat finish, keep tension even as you pull; tie yarn securely at the top and bury the ends through the center. The pulls should create visible ridges; adjust and tighten to shape.

Stem (simple i-cord)

Using DPNS or small circular, CO 3 sts for i-cord using yarn in brown or green.
Work i-cord: Slip sts to the right and knit (or use K1, slip 2 as you go) for length: Small 1.25" / 3 cm (about 8–10 rounds), Medium 1.75" / 4.5 cm (12–16 rounds), Large 2.5" / 6.5 cm (18–24 rounds).
Option: For a chunkier stem, CO 5 sts and work i-cord, or knit a short tube and stuff lightly.
Sew stem securely into top center. Use extra yarn to anchor through the stitched ribs if desired; tuck and weave ends inside.

Leaf & Vine (optional)

Make a small crocheted chain (or knitted I-cord) for a vine: chain 20 with a crochet hook size G/6 (4.0 mm) or make 20-row i-cord on US 6/4.0 mm, then attach to stem and curl slightly. For a leaf, make a small knitted or crocheted leaf and sew near the stem.

Finishing

Weave in all ends. If seams or join show, use matching yarn to tidy.
Adjust ribs after stuffing to make them even. If one side is lopsided, shift and re-anchor the segment lines.

Variations

Textured pumpkin: Before closing, add rounds of purl ridges or seed stitch bands for texture.
Two-tone: Use a contrasting color for stem or stripe rounds.
Mini pumpkins: Use sport/DK yarn on smaller needles (US 5/3.75 mm) with proportionally fewer sts (e.g., CO 32) and shorter length for tiny pincushions.

Care

Spot clean with damp cloth. For acrylic yarn, gentle hand wash and lay flat to dry. If using wool, hand wash in cool water and reshape while damp. Avoid machine washing where possible to preserve shape and stuffing.

Troubleshooting

Pumpkin too floppy: Use smaller needles or add more stuffing; a little dry fiberfill or foam pellet inside helps weight.
Ribs not showing: Tighten the segment yarn more and make sure tails are anchored; use more segments for sharper ribs.
Stem flops: Make stem sturdier—use a shorter, thicker i-cord or insert a short wooden dowel inside the i-cord when sewing it in.

Stitch glossary

k2tog: Insert needle into next 2 sts from left to right and knit them together as one stitch. i-cord: Knit all sts, slide them to the other end of needle, pull working yarn across back and repeat—creates a narrow tube.

Notes on Materials Listing (developer required items)

Needles: US 8 (5.0 mm) / UK (old) 6 / Metric 5.0 mm. Optional firmer fabric: US 7 (4.5 mm) / UK (old) 7 / Metric 4.5 mm. Yarn amounts and lengths are provided above in both Imperial and Metric units.

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