How to Crochet a Ghost Pumpkin Car Mirror Hanger

There is something deeply satisfying about hanging a handmade decoration from your rearview mirror as autumn rolls in. It swings gently every time you turn a corner, catches the light when you stop at a red, and gives your car a little personality that no store-bought air freshener ever could. A crocheted ghost pumpkin car mirror hanger combines two of the most beloved Halloween motifs into one compact, adorable project that is beginner-friendly, works up quickly, and makes an excellent gift for the fall lovers in your life.

In this tutorial, you will learn exactly how to crochet a ghost pumpkin car mirror hanger from start to finish. We will cover materials, stitches, the step-by-step pattern for both the pumpkin and the ghost, how to assemble everything, and some tips for customizing the finished piece. Whether you are new to crochet or an experienced maker looking for a fun seasonal project, this guide has everything you need.

What Is a Ghost Pumpkin Car Mirror Hanger?

Before we jump into the pattern itself, it helps to understand what we are making and why it works so well as a small crochet project. A car mirror hanger is any small crocheted or knitted decoration designed to hang from a rearview mirror. The piece needs to be lightweight so it does not obstruct your driving vision, compact so it does not swing too wildly on the highway, and durable enough to handle the warmth and UV light inside a car.

The ghost pumpkin design combines a small pumpkin shape worked in orange yarn with a tiny ghost body worked in white yarn. The two pieces can be connected with a short length of chain stitch, then looped over the mirror stem with a longer hanging chain at the top. The result is a little dangling scene — a friendly ghost hovering above a round, ribbed pumpkin — that looks festive without being overwhelming.

This is also a wonderful project to make in multiples. Once you understand the pattern, you can whip out several sets in an evening, which makes them perfect for gifting to friends, selling at craft fairs, or tucking into Halloween gift bags.

Materials You Will Need

Gathering your supplies before you begin will make the whole process smoother. Here is what you need for one ghost pumpkin car mirror hanger.

Yarn: You will need a small amount of worsted weight yarn in orange for the pumpkin, white for the ghost, and green for the pumpkin stem and leaf. You only need a fraction of a skein for each color, so this is a great stash-busting project. If you want a more whimsical or vintage look, try a pale peach orange for the pumpkin or an ivory or cream for the ghost instead of bright white.

Hook: A 4.0mm or 3.5mm crochet hook works well with worsted weight yarn for this project. Using a slightly smaller hook than the yarn recommends will give you a tighter stitch tension, which helps the pieces hold their shape and keeps stuffing from showing through.

Stuffing: A small amount of polyester fiberfill is all you need. The pumpkin body in particular benefits from a light stuffing to give it a three-dimensional, rounded appearance. The ghost can be lightly stuffed or left flat depending on your preference.

Safety eyes: Two 6mm black safety eyes per ghost give the little spirit its friendly face. If you plan to give this hanger to a household with young children, you can instead embroider the eyes with black yarn using a tapestry needle.

Tapestry needle: You will need this to weave in ends and to sew pieces together.

Scissors: A small pair of sharp scissors for cutting yarn.

Stitch marker: A single locking stitch marker or even a piece of scrap yarn helps you track the beginning of each round when working in continuous rounds, which is how both the pumpkin and ghost are constructed.

Optional embellishments: Some makers like to add a small bow in black or orange, a tiny crocheted leaf alongside the stem, a button nose, or even a little blush of pink using a cosmetic brush and chalk pastel to give the ghost rosy cheeks. All of these are completely optional but add a lovely finishing touch.

Stitches and Abbreviations Used

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Here is a quick reference for every stitch you will encounter.

MR — Magic ring (also called magic circle). This is the preferred method for starting rounds worked in the center because it leaves no hole at the center of the piece. If you are not comfortable with the magic ring, you can chain 2 and work your starting stitches into the second chain from the hook.

ch — Chain stitch. The most fundamental stitch in crochet, used here for the hanging cord and for joining pieces.

sl st — Slip stitch. Used to join rounds when needed and to create the loops for hanging.

sc — Single crochet. The primary stitch used for both the pumpkin and ghost bodies.

inc — Increase. Work two single crochets into the same stitch.

dec — Decrease. Work a single crochet decrease across two stitches (also called sc2tog). Insert your hook into the first stitch, pull up a loop, insert into the next stitch, pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through all three loops.

BLO — Back loop only. Working into only the back loop of a stitch creates a ridge on the surface, which is used on the pumpkin body to mimic the vertical ridges of a real pumpkin.

The Pumpkin Pattern

The pumpkin is worked from the bottom up in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round.

With orange yarn and your 4.0mm hook:

Round 1: Start with a magic ring. Work 6 sc into the ring. Pull the ring closed. (6 stitches)

Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)

Round 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat around. (18 stitches)

Round 4: [Sc 2, inc] repeat around. (24 stitches)

Round 5: Working in BLO, sc in each stitch around. (24 stitches) This round creates the first ridge.

Round 6: Working in both loops, sc in each stitch around. (24 stitches)

Round 7: Working in BLO, sc in each stitch around. (24 stitches) This creates the second ridge.

Round 8: Working in both loops, sc in each stitch around. (24 stitches)

Round 9: Working in BLO, sc in each stitch around. (24 stitches) This is the third and final ridge.

Round 10: [Sc 2, dec] repeat around. (18 stitches)

At this point, insert your safety eyes between rounds 6 and 7, approximately 5 to 6 stitches apart. If you are embroidering a face instead, you can do this after the piece is completely assembled.

Begin stuffing the pumpkin with fiberfill. Do not overstuff — a gentle, firm filling works best for maintaining the round shape without stretching the stitches.

Round 11: [Sc 1, dec] repeat around. (12 stitches)

Round 12: Dec around. (6 stitches)

Fasten off, leaving a long enough tail to close the opening. Thread the tail onto your tapestry needle and weave through the front loop of each remaining stitch, then pull tight to close. Weave in the end securely.

For the stem: Switch to green yarn. Work a slip knot onto your hook and insert the hook through the top center of the pumpkin. Single crochet 6 stitches in the round for 4 rounds, working in a tight spiral. Fasten off and weave in the end. If you like, pinch and shape the stem slightly before the yarn sets.

For the optional leaf: With green yarn, chain 6. Single crochet in the second chain from hook, then work [hdc, dc, hdc, sc] across the remaining chains. Sl st to fasten off. Attach the leaf to the base of the stem with your tapestry needle.

The Ghost Pattern

The ghost is worked similarly to the pumpkin — in continuous rounds from the top of the head downward — but ends with a wavy bottom edge to give it that classic cartoon ghost silhouette.

With white yarn and your 4.0mm hook:

Round 1: MR, work 6 sc into the ring. Pull ring closed. (6 stitches)

Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)

Round 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat around. (18 stitches)

Round 4: Sc in each stitch around. (18 stitches)

Round 5: Sc in each stitch around. (18 stitches)

Round 6: Sc in each stitch around. (18 stitches)

At this point, attach the safety eyes between rounds 3 and 4, approximately 4 stitches apart. Add a small amount of fiberfill to the head area, enough to give it a round shape.

Round 7: Sc in each stitch around. (18 stitches)

Round 8: Sc in each stitch around. (18 stitches)

Now it is time to create the wavy bottom of the ghost. The scalloped edge is what makes it look like a floating specter rather than just a round blob.

Wavy bottom edge: Do not close the round. Instead, working along the current edge: [ch 3, sl st into the same stitch, sc into the next stitch] repeat around until you reach the beginning of the round. Sl st to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

This creates a series of small loops or points around the bottom of the ghost, giving it that rippling, draped look. You can adjust the number of chain stitches in each loop (try ch 4 or ch 5) if you want the points to be more pronounced.

If you want to give your ghost a tiny mouth, use a single length of black yarn or black embroidery floss. Thread it onto your tapestry needle and create a small smile or open circle shape just below the eyes. Knot securely on the inside.

Assembling the Car Mirror Hanger

Now that you have your pumpkin and ghost, it is time to assemble the full hanger. This is where the project really comes to life.

Connecting the ghost to the pumpkin: Cut a length of white or orange yarn approximately 3 to 4 inches long. Thread it onto your tapestry needle and pass it through the bottom center of the ghost and then through the top center of the pumpkin stem area. Tie a secure knot and weave in the ends so the connector is hidden. The ghost should dangle just above the pumpkin, giving the impression that it is hovering over the little jack-o-lantern below.

If you want more distance between the two pieces, you can crochet a short chain instead of using a yarn length. Work 6 to 10 chain stitches in white or orange and use this as the connector. This gives a slightly more delicate, dangling look.

Making the hanging cord: With your choice of yarn — orange, black, and white twisted together makes a particularly festive cord — create a chain of approximately 30 to 40 stitches. Fold the chain in half and slip stitch through both layers at several points to create a doubled cord for extra strength. Alternatively, simply use a doubled strand of yarn for the chain from the start.

Attach one end of the cord to the top of the ghost’s head by threading it through with your tapestry needle and tying a secure knot. The other end forms a loop that slips over your rearview mirror stem.

To finish the loop end neatly, chain your desired length, then join the two ends with a slip stitch to create a closed loop rather than a loose tail. This prevents the hanger from slipping off the mirror and also looks more polished.

Tips for Customizing Your Ghost Pumpkin Hanger

One of the great joys of small crochet projects is how easily they can be adapted. Here are some ideas for making your ghost pumpkin hanger uniquely yours.

Color variations: Try a white or light cream pumpkin for an actual ghost pumpkin (the pale variety of real pumpkin), which gives the whole piece a more muted, sophisticated look. You could also work the pumpkin in purple for a spooky twist, or in soft lavender and ivory for a more feminine aesthetic.

Facial expressions: Your ghost and pumpkin faces are entirely customizable. A carved triangle-eye pumpkin face embroidered in black yarn reads as classic Halloween. A pumpkin with button eyes and a stitched curved smile looks sweet and friendly. For the ghost, a wide open mouth embroidered in black suggests a spooky wail, while tiny dot eyes and a gentle curve suggest a shy, friendly specter.

Adding scent: If you want your car hanger to double as an air freshener, add a few drops of essential oil to the fiberfill before stuffing. Clove, cinnamon, or pumpkin spice essential oils are particularly fitting for the season. Refresh with a new drop whenever the scent fades.

Size adjustments: Using a bulkier yarn with a larger hook will give you a bigger, chunkier version that works beautifully as a holiday ornament hung from a doorknob or gift bag handle. Using fingering or sport weight yarn with a smaller hook produces an especially delicate, miniature version.

Seasonal swaps: The same basic pattern can be adapted throughout the year. Swap the pumpkin for a heart for Valentine’s Day, a shamrock for St. Patrick’s Day, a bunny for Easter, or a sunflower for summer. The ghost can become a snowman in winter or a chick in spring. Once you understand the structure, the pattern becomes a year-round template.

Caring for Your Crocheted Hanger

Because this piece lives inside a car, it will be exposed to sunlight, heat, and occasional dust. Yarn made from acrylic fibers holds up well in these conditions, resists fading better than natural fibers, and can be hand washed if needed. Avoid leaving the hanger in a car on extremely hot days for prolonged periods if you used safety eyes, as extended heat can sometimes soften the plastic posts over time.

To clean the hanger, simply hand wash it gently in cool water with a small amount of mild dish soap, squeeze out the excess water carefully without wringing, and allow it to air dry fully before returning it to the mirror.

A Few Final Thoughts

Making a crocheted ghost pumpkin car mirror hanger is the kind of project that reminds you why crochet is so endlessly satisfying. It is small enough to carry with you, fast enough to complete in a single sitting, and charming enough to make anyone who sees it smile. The combination of the friendly ghost and the little pumpkin captures everything cheerful about the Halloween season without being frightening or overwhelming.

Whether you make one for yourself, create a set to give as gifts, or set up a little production line for a craft fair, this pattern is one you will return to every autumn. The skills you practice here — working in rounds, shaping with increases and decreases, creating textural ridges with back loop stitches, and making wavy decorative edges — are all foundational crochet techniques that will serve you well in hundreds of future projects.

So pick up your hook, pull out that skein of orange yarn you have been saving, and get started. Your rearview mirror is waiting for a little Halloween magic.