Free Crochet Pumpkin Pattern in 6 Sizes: From Mini to Magnificent
Whether you’re decorating for fall, prepping for Halloween, or just looking for a satisfying project to work up while the leaves change outside your window, a crochet pumpkin is one of those timeless makes that never gets old. The best part? You can customize the size to suit any space, any skill level, and any aesthetic — from tiny bowl fillers to big statement pieces on your front porch steps.
This free crochet pumpkin pattern gives you six sizes in one place, all worked in the round with beginner-friendly techniques. If you can single crochet and work magic rings, you have everything you need to get started. Let’s dive in.
Why You’ll Love This Crochet Pumpkin Pattern
Before we get into the yarn and hooks, here’s what makes this pattern special: it grows with you. All six sizes use the same basic construction method — a simple increase-and-decrease structure worked in continuous rounds — but they vary in yarn weight and hook size to give you dramatically different results without you needing to learn a new technique for each one.
The ribbed texture that gives these pumpkins their classic pumpkin shape is created using a very simple technique: sewing vertical lines of yarn through the body of the finished piece before stuffing it tightly. This is the single most satisfying step of the whole project, and once you do it the first time, you’ll want to make a hundred pumpkins just to repeat it.
These pumpkins also stand up on their own, which makes them ideal for shelf displays, table centerpieces, and mantel arrangements. They’re made entirely from yarn — no wire armature, no special stuffing tools, just fiber, polyfill, and a little bit of patience.
Materials You’ll Need
The specific yarn weights and hook sizes are listed per size in the pattern below, but here’s everything else you’ll need across all six sizes:
A tapestry needle or yarn needle for weaving in ends and creating the pumpkin ridges, polyfill stuffing (you’ll use more than you think — pack it firmly), scissors, stitch markers (at least two), and a piece of cardboard or a pipe cleaner for the stem if you want something more structured than a yarn stem.
Optional but lovely: a small amount of green yarn for a curly tendril and a bit of brown or dark green for the stem. Craft wire and floral tape can also be used for a more realistic-looking stem.
For yarn, choose any fiber you like. Acrylic works beautifully here because it’s inexpensive, easy to care for, and comes in every shade of orange, burnt sienna, rust, cream, sage green, and warm white imaginable. If you want a more luxurious pumpkin, try a chunky merino for one of the larger sizes — the stitch definition is gorgeous and the result feels weighty and substantial in the best possible way.
Abbreviations and Stitches Used
All patterns in this post are written in US crochet terms.
MR — Magic ring
ch — Chain
sl st — Slip stitch
sc — Single crochet
inc — Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
dec — Invisible decrease (insert hook in front loops of next 2 stitches, yarn over, pull through both, yarn over, pull through 2 loops)
st(s) — Stitch(es)
BLO — Back loop only
FLO — Front loop only
rnd — Round
PM — Place marker
Pattern Notes
Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated. Do not join or turn at the end of each round unless the pattern specifically tells you to. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the beginning of each round and move it up as you go.
The invisible decrease is strongly recommended for all sizes because it creates a much smoother, tighter fabric with no visible holes — perfect for a stuffed piece where gaps would let the polyfill show through.
Gauge is not critical for these projects since they’re decorative, but the listed hook sizes are chosen to create a tight enough fabric that stuffing won’t poke through.
Size 1: Mini Pumpkin (Approximately 2 inches tall, 2.5 inches wide)
Materials: Worsted weight yarn in orange, size G (4.25mm) hook, small amount of polyfill, scrap of brown yarn for stem.
Gauge: Approximately 5 sc = 1 inch.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc in ring. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: *Sc 1, inc* repeat around. (18)
Rnd 4–6: Sc in each st around. (18) — 3 rounds
Rnd 7: *Sc 1, dec* repeat around. (12)
Begin stuffing firmly. Continue to stuff as you close.
Rnd 8: Dec around. (6)
Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in end.
Stem: With brown yarn, ch 5, sl st back down chain. Attach to top center of pumpkin with a few stitches. Tie off and weave in ends.
Ridges: Cut a 24-inch length of orange yarn. Thread onto tapestry needle. Starting at the bottom center, weave the needle up through the body of the pumpkin to the top, wrap around, and pull down to create a gentle indentation. Repeat 4–5 times evenly spaced around the pumpkin. Pull each line with moderate tension so the body starts to gather and section into pumpkin lobes. Knot at the bottom and bury the tail inside.
Size 2: Small Pumpkin (Approximately 3 inches tall, 4 inches wide)
Materials: Worsted weight yarn in orange, size G (4.25mm) hook, polyfill.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc in ring. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: *Sc 1, inc* repeat around. (18)
Rnd 4: *Sc 2, inc* repeat around. (24)
Rnd 5–8: Sc in each st around. (24) — 4 rounds
Rnd 9: *Sc 2, dec* repeat around. (18)
Rnd 10: *Sc 1, dec* repeat around. (12)
Stuff firmly.
Rnd 11: Dec around. (6)
Fasten off and close as before. Add stem and ridges as in Size 1, spacing 5–6 ridge lines evenly.
Size 3: Medium Pumpkin (Approximately 4 inches tall, 5.5 inches wide)
Materials: Bulky weight yarn (size 5), size J (6mm) hook, polyfill.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc in ring. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: *Sc 1, inc* repeat around. (18)
Rnd 4: *Sc 2, inc* repeat around. (24)
Rnd 5: *Sc 3, inc* repeat around. (30)
Rnd 6–10: Sc in each st around. (30) — 5 rounds
Rnd 11: *Sc 3, dec* repeat around. (24)
Rnd 12: *Sc 2, dec* repeat around. (18)
Rnd 13: *Sc 1, dec* repeat around. (12)
Stuff firmly.
Rnd 14: Dec around. (6)
Fasten off and close. For this size, 6–7 ridge lines look best. Use a longer strand of yarn (about 36 inches) for the ridges and pull with a bit more tension to create deep, pronounced sections.
Stem option for Size 3 and above: Wrap brown yarn 15–20 times around two fingers, slip off, and tie at the center. Fold the bundle in half and attach the fold to the top of the pumpkin. Trim the free ends to about half an inch for a fuller, more textural stem.
Size 4: Large Pumpkin (Approximately 5.5 inches tall, 7 inches wide)
Materials: Super bulky yarn (size 6), size N (9mm) hook, polyfill — you’ll use about half a bag for this one.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc in ring. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: *Sc 1, inc* repeat around. (18)
Rnd 4: *Sc 2, inc* repeat around. (24)
Rnd 5: *Sc 3, inc* repeat around. (30)
Rnd 6: *Sc 4, inc* repeat around. (36)
Rnd 7–13: Sc in each st around. (36) — 7 rounds
Rnd 14: *Sc 4, dec* repeat around. (30)
Rnd 15: *Sc 3, dec* repeat around. (24)
Rnd 16: *Sc 2, dec* repeat around. (18)
Rnd 17: *Sc 1, dec* repeat around. (12)
Stuff very firmly — this is important for the large sizes. The pumpkin needs to hold its shape and stay upright, so don’t be shy with the polyfill.
Rnd 18: Dec around. (6)
Fasten off and close. Use 7–8 ridge lines.
Size 5: Extra Large Pumpkin (Approximately 7 inches tall, 9 inches wide)
Materials: Super bulky yarn (size 6), size P (11.5mm) hook, polyfill — plan to use a full bag.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc in ring. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: *Sc 1, inc* repeat around. (18)
Rnd 4: *Sc 2, inc* repeat around. (24)
Rnd 5: *Sc 3, inc* repeat around. (30)
Rnd 6: *Sc 4, inc* repeat around. (36)
Rnd 7: *Sc 5, inc* repeat around. (42)
Rnd 8–15: Sc in each st around. (42) — 8 rounds
Rnd 16: *Sc 5, dec* repeat around. (36)
Rnd 17: *Sc 4, dec* repeat around. (30)
Rnd 18: *Sc 3, dec* repeat around. (24)
Rnd 19: *Sc 2, dec* repeat around. (18)
Rnd 20: *Sc 1, dec* repeat around. (12)
Stuff firmly and repeatedly throughout the decrease rounds — you’ll need to add more as the opening closes.
Rnd 21: Dec around. (6)
Fasten off and close. Use 8–9 ridge lines, pulling firmly. For the stem, consider wrapping yarn around a short piece of cardboard or a bundled pipe cleaner to give it some structure.
Size 6: Jumbo Pumpkin (Approximately 9 inches tall, 12+ inches wide)
Materials: Arm-knitting weight or two strands of super bulky yarn held together, size S (19mm) hook or the largest hook you have, large bag of polyfill (or two).
This size is a statement piece. It’s impressive sitting on porch steps, beside a fireplace, or at the base of a staircase. Because of its size, it takes a bit longer to work up, but the rounds go faster than you’d think with such a large hook.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc in ring. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: *Sc 1, inc* repeat around. (18)
Rnd 4: *Sc 2, inc* repeat around. (24)
Rnd 5: *Sc 3, inc* repeat around. (30)
Rnd 6: *Sc 4, inc* repeat around. (36)
Rnd 7: *Sc 5, inc* repeat around. (42)
Rnd 8: *Sc 6, inc* repeat around. (48)
Rnd 9–18: Sc in each st around. (48) — 10 rounds
Rnd 19: *Sc 6, dec* repeat around. (42)
Rnd 20: *Sc 5, dec* repeat around. (36)
Rnd 21: *Sc 4, dec* repeat around. (30)
Rnd 22: *Sc 3, dec* repeat around. (24)
Rnd 23: *Sc 2, dec* repeat around. (18)
Rnd 24: *Sc 1, dec* repeat around. (12)
Stuff extremely firmly. Add layer after layer of polyfill and press down hard before adding more — the jumbo pumpkin needs structural integrity to sit properly.
Rnd 25: Dec around. (6)
Fasten off and close. Use 10 ridge lines for a full, rounded look. For the stem, use a thick bundle of brown yarn wrapped around a toilet paper tube, then covered with more brown yarn in a spiral wrap. Stitch securely to the top center.
Tendril: With green yarn, chain 20. Slip stitch in every other chain back to the beginning. This creates a natural spiral. Attach to the base of the stem. Make 2–3 tendrils for a lush, garden-fresh look.
Finishing Tips for All Sizes
The ridges make the pumpkin, so don’t skip them. Here’s how to get the best result: after stuffing and closing your pumpkin, thread a long strand of matching yarn onto your tapestry needle. Push the needle down through the very center top of the pumpkin all the way to the bottom center. Pull the yarn through with moderate tension — you’ll feel and see the body begin to indent and gather. Wrap the yarn around the outside at the bottom, then send the needle back up to the top. Continue this way until you’ve gone around the whole pumpkin. The more times you wrap each ridge line, the deeper and more defined the sections will be. Finish by burying both yarn tails inside the pumpkin body.
If you want your pumpkins to be extra sturdy and longer-lasting — especially the larger sizes — consider placing a small ziplock bag of dried beans or rice in the very center of the stuffing before closing. This gives weight to the bottom and helps the pumpkin sit without tipping.
Color Ideas and Variations
The obvious choice is orange, but crochet pumpkins are such a great canvas for creativity. Cream or off-white pumpkins have a modern, elegant look that pairs beautifully with eucalyptus stems and dried flowers for a neutral autumn tablescape. Terracotta and rust tones are warm and cozy. Sage green pumpkins feel fresh and unexpected. You could even do striped pumpkins by switching colors every two rounds in the body section — the stripes read as subtle once the ridges are added.
For a more whimsical Halloween set, try making a few in black, dusty purple, or deep burgundy. Grouped together on a mantel in a mix of sizes, they look dramatic and moody in the best possible way.
If you want to add faces, you can embroider simple eyes, noses, and mouths with black yarn using a backstitch, or glue on small felt shapes. The Size 3 and Size 4 are particularly good canvases for jack-o-lantern faces because their surface area is large enough to work with but small enough to be manageable.
Displaying Your Crochet Pumpkins
One of the most satisfying things about having six sizes at your fingertips is how easily they can be grouped into arrangements. A
