Crochet Ghost and Pumpkin Car Charm Pattern – Free Halloween Pattern
Halloween is one of those magical times of year when the urge to craft hits hard. There is something deeply satisfying about making small, spooky, and adorable decorations that you can hang anywhere — and car charms are one of the most delightful ways to celebrate the season. If you have been searching for a fun, beginner-friendly Halloween crochet project, this free crochet ghost and pumpkin car charm pattern is exactly what you need. These tiny crocheted charms are quick to make, require very little yarn, and look absolutely charming dangling from a rearview mirror, backpack zipper, or keychain.
Whether you are new to crochet or a seasoned maker looking for a fast and festive project, this pattern walks you through every step of creating two iconic Halloween characters — a classic white ghost and an orange jack-o’-lantern pumpkin — both small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Let’s dive into everything you need to know before picking up your hook.
Why You’ll Love This Halloween Crochet Car Charm Pattern
Small crochet projects have a way of bringing the biggest joy. They use up yarn scraps, come together in an evening, and make wonderful gifts for friends, coworkers, kids, and neighbors. Car charms in particular have seen a huge rise in popularity over the last few years because they are personal, handmade, and totally customizable.
This ghost and pumpkin set is perfect because the two pieces complement each other beautifully. You can hang them together on the same cord for a paired look, or make several of each and gift them individually. They are also an excellent project to bring along to a Halloween crafting party or to make in batches for a craft fair booth.
From a skill standpoint, both charms use only basic stitches — magic rings, single crochets, increases, decreases, and slip stitches. If you can make an amigurumi ball, you can absolutely make these. The ghost has a slightly more playful, flowing shape, while the pumpkin relies on simple shaping and surface detail to capture that jack-o’-lantern feel.
Materials You Will Need
Before you cast on, gather everything together so your crafting session goes smoothly.
Yarn: You will need a small amount of white yarn for the ghost and orange yarn for the pumpkin. Any worsted weight yarn works well for this pattern, though you can use fingering or DK weight if you prefer tinier charms — just adjust your hook size accordingly. You will also need a small amount of black yarn (or black felt) for the faces, and a bit of green yarn for the pumpkin stem.
Hook: A 3.5mm to 4mm crochet hook works well with worsted weight yarn for a tight amigurumi-style fabric that holds its shape and keeps the stuffing from showing through.
Stuffing: Polyfill stuffing or any fiber fill you have on hand. You only need a tiny pinch for each charm.
Eyes: You can use 6mm or 9mm safety eyes for both the ghost and the pumpkin if you prefer a more polished look. Alternatively, embroider or glue on small black felt circles for a no-sew version.
Other supplies: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, stitch markers to keep track of rounds, a swivel lobster clasp or jump ring for attaching the charm to your cord, a cord or chain in the length of your choice, and a small amount of black embroidery floss if you prefer to stitch the faces.
Pattern Notes
This pattern is written in US crochet terminology. All stitches are worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise noted. Place a stitch marker at the beginning of each round and move it up as you work to keep your place. Both charms begin with a magic ring.
Abbreviations used:
- MR = magic ring
- SC = single crochet
- INC = increase (2 SC in the same stitch)
- DEC = invisible decrease (single crochet two stitches together through the front loops)
- SL ST = slip stitch
- CH = chain
- ST = stitch
- BLO = back loop only
- FLO = front loop only
- PM = place marker
- BO = fasten off
Free Crochet Pumpkin Car Charm Pattern
The pumpkin is a wonderful place to start if you are new to this type of amigurumi-style charm. Its round, squat shape is forgiving, and the ribbed section creates a beautiful pumpkin texture without any complicated stitch work.
Round 1: Start with orange yarn. MR, 6 SC into the ring. Pull tight. (6 sts)
Round 2: INC in each stitch around. (12 sts)
Round 3: SC 1, INC repeat around. (18 sts)
Round 4: SC 2, INC repeat around. (24 sts)
Round 5: SC in each stitch around. (24 sts)
Round 6: Working in BLO only, SC in each stitch around. This creates the first subtle ridge that gives the pumpkin its segmented look. (24 sts)
Round 7: SC in each stitch around. (24 sts)
Round 8: Working in BLO only, SC in each stitch around. (24 sts)
Round 9: SC in each stitch around. (24 sts)
Before continuing, attach your safety eyes now if you are using them. Position them between rounds 5 and 6, approximately 4 to 5 stitches apart. If you prefer to embroider or glue the face on after, skip this step and come back to it after stuffing.
Round 10: SC 2, DEC repeat around. (18 sts)
Begin stuffing the pumpkin at this point. Add just enough polyfill to give it a nice firm rounded shape without overstuffing.
Round 11: SC 1, DEC repeat around. (12 sts)
Round 12: DEC around. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a short tail. Use your yarn needle to close the remaining opening by weaving through the front loops of the last 6 stitches and pulling tight. Weave in all ends.
Stem: Using green yarn, attach yarn to the top center of the pumpkin where you closed the opening. Chain 4 to 6 (depending on how long you want your stem), then slip stitch back down the chain. Fasten off and weave in the end.
Face: If using embroidery, use black yarn or embroidery floss to stitch on a classic jack-o’-lantern face. Two small triangles for eyes, a triangle or small curved line for a nose, and a wide zigzag mouth work beautifully at this scale. Keep the stitches simple — less is more when the piece is small.
Finishing: Attach a jump ring or swivel clasp to the stem or to a short loop of yarn at the top of the pumpkin to turn it into a hanging charm.
Free Crochet Ghost Car Charm Pattern
The ghost charm has a little more personality than a simple ball because of its slightly pointed top and the wavy, trailing base. It is still very achievable for beginners and comes together quickly. The key to a great-looking ghost is using a bright, clean white yarn so your embroidered face really pops.
Round 1: Using white yarn, MR, 6 SC into the ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: INC in each stitch around. (12 sts)
Round 3: SC 1, INC repeat around. (18 sts)
Round 4: SC 2, INC repeat around. (24 sts)
Rounds 5–8: SC in each stitch around. (24 sts each round — 4 rounds total)
This section forms the rounded body of the ghost. At the end of round 8, attach safety eyes if using them, placed between rounds 5 and 6, about 4 to 5 stitches apart. The eyes should sit a little lower on the ghost’s face than you might expect, leaving room for the pointed head above.
Round 9: SC 2, DEC repeat around. (18 sts)
Begin stuffing the ghost now. You want it to be fairly firm so the wavy base holds its shape. Don’t overstuff or it will be difficult to finish the bottom.
Round 10: SC 1, DEC repeat around. (12 sts)
Round 11: SC 1, DEC repeat around. (8 sts)
Now you will create the wavy, flowing base of the ghost rather than closing it up like a ball. Do not stuff beyond what you have already added.
Wavy Base Row: Chain 3, then work 1 SC into the next stitch. Chain 3, SL ST into the top of the last SC made, SC into the next stitch — repeat this sequence around the bottom opening of the ghost until you have created a scalloped or wavy edge all the way around. This creates the iconic flowy bottom of a classic cartoon ghost shape. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Head point: To give the ghost a slightly pointed top, thread your yarn needle with white yarn and take a few small stitches at the very top center of the ghost, pulling slightly to gather the top into a soft point. This subtle shaping makes a huge difference in how much the finished piece reads as a ghost rather than just a white blob.
Face: Using black yarn or embroidery floss, embroider two small oval eyes and a round open mouth. You can also add tiny rosy cheeks using pink yarn or a blush marker for extra cuteness. Keep the expression simple and friendly — these little ghosts are more “boo!” than frightening.
Hanging loop: At the top point of the ghost, use your yarn needle to thread a short length of white yarn through the top and tie it in a loop. Alternatively, attach a small jump ring directly to the tip of the ghost for a cleaner finish. Clip your swivel clasp or cord through this loop to create the hanging attachment.
Customization Ideas
One of the best things about small crochet charms is how easy they are to customize. Here are some ideas to make your ghost and pumpkin car charms uniquely yours.
Color play: Who says a ghost has to be white? Lavender ghosts, pale blue ghosts, or even glitter yarn ghosts look stunning and still read as the classic Halloween character. For pumpkins, try deep burgundy for a more gothic feel or pastel peach for a softer autumn aesthetic.
Faces: Experiment with different expressions. A grumpy ghost, a winking ghost, a jack-o’-lantern with a silly grin — the face makes the character, and at this size, a few well-placed stitches make all the difference.
Sizing: Make a larger version using bulky yarn and a 5mm or 6mm hook for a plushie-style charm that could hang on a doorknob or as an ornament. Make a tinier version using fingering weight yarn and a 2mm hook for a miniature charm that fits on a keyring or zipper pull.
Sets: Make a whole Halloween set — a ghost, a pumpkin, a black cat, a witch hat, a candy corn — all in the same approximate size and hang them together on a longer cord as a mobile or garland for your rearview mirror.
Embellishments: Add a small bow at the top, tiny rhinestones for eyes, a little hat made from black yarn, or even glow-in-the-dark thread for an extra fun touch.
Tips for Perfect Tiny Amigurumi Charms
Working at a small scale does present a few specific challenges, so here are some tips to help you get the best results.
Use a hook that is slightly smaller than recommended for your yarn weight. This creates a tighter fabric that won’t show the stuffing through the gaps and gives your finished charm a neat, professional appearance.
Always use stitch markers, even when the round count seems small enough to track in your head. It is very easy to lose your place in small pieces where the stitch count changes quickly.
Stuff firmly but not excessively. For such small pieces, you really only need a tiny pinch of polyfill. Too much stuffing distorts the shape and makes it harder to close the piece neatly.
The invisible decrease (working through front loops only) gives a much cleaner result than a standard decrease at this size. It reduces the appearance of those tell-tale holes that can appear with regular decreases in tight rounds.
When embroidering faces, use a single strand of embroidery floss rather than full thickness yarn for the cleanest results at small scale. Thread your needle and secure the beginning knot inside the body so it doesn’t show on the surface.
How to Attach Your Car Charm
Once your ghost and pumpkin are finished, assembling the actual car charm takes just a few minutes. Cut a length of cord, ribbon, or yarn to hang from your rearview mirror — somewhere between 6 and 12 inches is typical, depending on how low you want your charm to hang. Tie both charms onto the cord at slightly different lengths so they are visible separately rather than overlapping. Add a swivel lobster clasp at the top of the cord so you can easily attach and remove it from your mirror without having to untie anything.
If you prefer a keychain version, simply clip the charm onto a split ring keychain base, which you can find inexpensively at any craft store. These also make wonderful zipper pulls for Halloween-themed bags or jackets.
Gifting and Sharing Your Makes
These little charms make incredibly thoughtful handmade gifts for the Halloween season. A set of a ghost and pumpkin tucked into a small treat bag alongside some candy is a sweet gesture for a coworker or neighbor. They are also wonderful additions to Halloween gift baskets, party favors for a crafting event, or even sold at autumn craft fairs.
If you make this pattern, please share your finished charms on Instagram, Pinterest, or in crochet Facebook groups. Tag your post with seasonal hashtags to connect with other Halloween crochet enthusiasts. Seeing other makers’ interpretations of a pattern — different colors, different face expressions, different sizes — is one of the most inspiring parts of the crafting community.
Final Thoughts
A free crochet ghost and pumpkin car charm pattern is one of those projects that delivers enormous satisfaction for a very small investment of time and materials. In a few hours on a cozy autumn evening — maybe with a Halloween movie playing in the background and a warm drink at your side — you can have a pair of charming, handmade decorations that spread a little seasonal joy every single day during the drive to work or school.
These patterns are designed to be accessible, adaptable, and genuinely fun. Whether you are making just one set for yourself or cranking out dozens to share with everyone you know, the process is the reward. Pick up your hook, grab those yarn scraps, and let’s make Halloween a little more handmade this year.
