Happy fall y’all! …too soon? Well, my latest pattern is here just in time to get you in the autumn mood. And YES! It’s knit. Check out the gourdgeous knits pumpkins right here for FREE on the blog.
Read on for the design and inspiration, yarn choice, and step by step pattern with video tutorials.
Purchase the printable PDF pattern from Etsy or Ravelry, or save to your Pinterest board for later.
Design & Inspiration
Pumpkins are one of my favorite things about fall. I mean, my blog is named gourdgeous knits after all. So this is my take on a classic autumn must-have. And it’s knit! I don’t know about you, but many pumpkin patterns I’ve come across are usually crocheted, so I wanted to do things a bit different and make a knit version.
While developing the pattern, I played around with a few different knit stitch techniques to stay true to how original pumpkins look. No two are alike. They also sometimes have knots and bumps, and I wanted to bring that forward in my design. So, I decided to use the Seeded Rib Stitch, which is a combination of…you guessed it…the Seed Stitch and Rib Stitch. This stitch allows for a thick, bumpy texture thanks to the Seed Stitch, with a parallel ribbing from the Rib Stitch. It’s super easy and gives just the right amount of quirky cuteness to these gorgeous gourds.
Yarn Choice
Chunky’s a must when it comes to knit pumpkins in my opinion, so I chose my all-time favorite super bulky yarn – Lion Brand’s Wool Ease Thick & Quick. First off, there are soooo many colorways that are just too perfect for fall. I used Pumpkin (duh!), Fisherman (which is a pretty cream), Kale (for a darker green w/ flecks of brown and black), and Oatmeal (gotta have that neutral). T&Q is 80% acrylic, 20% wool. It’s easy to clean, plus it’s super warm and soft. Honestly, it’s THE ideal beginner chunky yarn. I used T&Q when I was first learning how to knit, and made things like hats and scarves with it. It’s still my #1 recommendation when people ask me what super bulky yarn to use.
That being said, I also recommend LB’s Hometown as a yarn alternative. I used Cincinnati Red for one of my pumpkins, and in total honestly, it’s my all-time favorite pumpkin. It came out so good, I love it! Here it is paired with T&Q Fisherman and Kale. Kinda got a holiday vibe going on 😉.
Skill Level
Beginner – You’ll need to know how to knit and purl. I’ll teach you the rest with my video tutorials on how to knit the Seeded Rib Stitch, and how to assemble your own pumpkins. I included the gauge on the pattern, but it’s not super important.
You’ll need US 11 needles, either straight or circular; your choice as the pumpkins are knit flat and then seamed together. Check out my video tutorial in the pattern for steps on how to assemble.
Other materials include super bulky category 6 yarn, a tapestry needle, scissors, removable stitch markers, poly-fil, hot glue gun with hot glue stick, and either cinnamon sticks, wooden sticks, or wine corks for the stem.
There are three size options with approximate diameter measurements once stuffed:
Small: 4.5″
Medium: 5″
Large: 7″
1 skein of LB T&Q makes approximately 1 large and 1-2 medium, or 2 medium and 1-2 small.
Check out my video on how to knit the Seeded Rib Stitch:
Pattern
Purchase the printable PDF pattern from Etsy HERE.
Purchase the printable PDF pattern from Ravelry HERE.
Pin to your Pinterest board for later HERE.
MATERIALS
1 skein of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick or 106yds/97meters of super bulky category 6 yarn
Size US 11/8.00mm knitting needles
Removable stitch markers (optional)
Tapestry needle
Stuffing/Poly-fil
Cinnamon stick/wine cork/wooden stick
Hot glue gun & hot glue stick
FINISHED SIZE (approx. diameter)
Small: 4.5″
Medium: 5″
Large: 7″
GAUGE
10 sts x 18 rows = 4″ in Seeded Rib Stitch
ABBREVIATIONS / EXPLANATIONS
CO – cast on
K – knit
P – purl
Rep – repeat
St(s) – stitch(es)
Seeded Rib Stitch – combination of the Seed Stitch and Rib Stitch. Two-row repeat and reversible. Watch the video tutorial for how to knit this stitch.
*Pattern is written in standard US terms*
Notes: Pumpkins are worked flat in Seeded Rib Stitch. Use Long-tail cast on method. Cast on the number of stitches based on the size pumpkin desired as explained in the pattern below. There are three sizes: small (), medium (), and large (). Do not bind off after completing the pattern. Follow the steps below for how to assemble the pumpkins. Assembly instructions are intended for all sizes. Use a long, sturdy tapestry needle for seaming. Will need to insert the tapestry needle with long-tail through the stuffed pumpkin. Stuff pumpkins with poly-fil, polyester, any type of stuffing found in local craft stores. Use either a cinnamon stick, wine cork, or wooden stick for the stem if desired. Video tutorial links are included for how to assemble the pumpkins, and how to knit the Seeded Rib Stitch.
SMALL:
CO 27 sts.
Row 1: *K3, P1* rep to last 3 sts, K3.
Row 2: K1, P1, K1, *K2, P1, K1* rep to end.
Rep rows 1 & 2 for 14 more times (16 rows total).
Do not bind off. Follow steps below for assembly.
MEDIUM:
CO 27 sts.
Row 1: *K3, P1* rep to last 3 sts, K3.
Row 2: K1, P1, K1, *K2, P1, K1* rep to end.
Rep rows 1 & 2 for 18 more times (20 rows total).
Do not bind off. Follow steps below for assembly.
LARGE:
CO 39 sts.
Row 1: *K3, P1* rep to last 3 sts, K3.
Row 2: K1, P1, K1, *K2, P1, K1* rep to end.
Rep rows 1 & 2 for 30 more times (32 rows total).
Do not bind off. Follow steps below for assembly.
ASSEMBLY:
- Cut a very long tail, approximately 6-7 times longer than the work.
- Turn the work so that the wrong side is facing up.
- With the tapestry needle, thread the long tail through each stitch as if slipping purl-wise from the opposite needle, not the needle with the long tail.
- Once all stitches are removed from the knitting needle and are on the long tail, pull the tail tight to cinch the stitches together (as if cinching the top of a hat).
- The right side of the work should now be facing outwards.
- Turn the work inside out and seam the two edges together.
- When seaming, align the bumps along the edges and seam from the cinched side upwards. Insert removable stitch markers if needed to keep the edges aligned.
- Once seamed, remove the stitch markers and turn the work so that the right side is facing out again. The work should look like a small hat as this point.
- Stuff the work with as much stuffing as desired.
- Seam the open side by inserting the tapestry needle into every third stitch at the top. Insert a stitch marker if needed to determine the starting point.
- After going all around into every third stitch, remove the stitch marker and cinch closed.
- Push the tapestry needle and long tail through the middle of the work, opposite where the tail is that was cinched. The tail should wrap around the outside of the work.
- Hid the tail along the outside of the work, in between the ribbed stitch.
- Continue through the middle and hiding the tail into each ribbed stitch.
- When finished, tie a knot on the end of the tail and hide the remaining tail by stuffing into the middle of the work.
- Use a cinnamon stick, wine cork, or wooden stick and a hot glue gun to add a stem as desired.
- Enjoy your new handmade pumpkin!
Contact
Please email me at gourdgeousknits@gmail.com if you have any questions about the pattern. Feel free to send and tag me in any photos of your works in progress and finished projects with #gourdgeousknitspumpkins and #gourdgeousknits. I love seeing your knits and sharing them on my social media sites.
The patterns and photographs are the property of Kristin Strecker-Kellogg of gourdgeous knits and are for personal, non-commercial use. The selling or distribution of these patterns physically or electronically are not permitted. Please credit gourdgeous knits when sharing on social media with #gourdgeousknits.
