This ribbed crochet pumpkin is the kind of fall decoration that takes one evening and then sits on your shelf for years. It is worked as a single flat strip of half double crochet in the back loops only, which is what creates those deep ridges, and then sewn into a ring and cinched at both ends. The stem is a tiny green tube worked in the round. No shaping, no counting increases around a body, no pattern to keep your place in.
If you have never worked in the back loop before, this is the project to learn on — you will see the ribs appear after about three rows.
What You’ll Need
Yarn: 4-ply yarn in any color you like — classic orange, or the soft cream and sage tones that suit a modern autumn mantel. You will also want a small amount of green for the stem.
Hook: the video uses a 1.8 mm hook with 4-ply yarn, which gives a tight, firm fabric that holds the ribs beautifully. If you prefer a larger pumpkin, move up to a worsted yarn and the hook on its label — the pattern works at any size.
You’ll also need: fiberfill for stuffing, a yarn needle for sewing and shaping, and scissors.
Shop the supplies: 4-ply yarn · crochet hook set · fiberfill · tapestry needles
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Watch the Video Tutorial
Step-by-Step: The Video Subtitles
These are the video’s subtitles, copied word for word, with the time each part starts in the video.
Part 1 (0:00) — yarn, hook and the foundation
Hey guys! Today we’re making a pumpkin. This is a
fermented pumpkin. The pumpkin consists of the pumpkin base and the
stem. Let’s start with the pumpkin base.
We’ll use 4-ply yarn—choose any color you like.
Any
color works. Then grab a 1.8mm
crochet hook. First, make a slip knot.
Chain 1 (doesn’t count as a stitch). Next, chain 21. A chain stitch is like this—
here,
yarn over and pull through the loop. That’s
one, two,
three,
stitches.
After 20, 21 chains,
we’ll start working into the second chain from the hook.
Work into this
side. Make a half-double crochet (hdc).
Part 2 (1:22) — the half double crochet rows
Hdc is: yarn over,
insert into the side of the chain, yarn over. Now you’ll have
three loops. Pull through
all three.
That’s one hdc.
That’s one
stitch. Second stitch: same method.
Repeat
for all 20 hdc stitches.
After the 20th hdc,
chain 1,
then
flip. Continue working hdc
stitches into
the back loop only (the side farthest from you).
Work
into the back loop, yarn over,
and pull through all three loops.
This row is the same—work into the
back loops for hdc. Repeat for 24 rows total.
Finish the rest yourselves!
After the last row,
Part 3 (6:38) — the stem
cut the yarn, leaving a 20–25 cm tail for sewing.
Leave extra
length.
Pull the yarn end through the loop. Set this aside.
Now let’s make
the stem.
Use green yarn
and start with a magic ring.
Round 1: 6 single crochets (sc).
After the sc, tighten the ring.
Slip stitch
into the first sc.
Rounds
2–4: 6 sc per round.
(No increases.)
Round 5:
6 sc increases (2 sc
in each stitch).
Next round: Alternate 1 sc and 1 sc increase.
Then cut the yarn, leaving a 5 cm tail.
Pull the yarn
Part 4 (12:45) — sewing, stuffing and finishing
through.
Sew the sides together, matching stitch by stitch.
At the end, reinforce
and knot the yarn. Now sew the bottom closed,
stitching through
each loop.
After sewing, tighten to
prevent stuffing from showing.
Knot the yarn at the end
and weave in the
end.
Now stuff the pumpkin. Add more
for firmness or less for softness.
Then attach the stem.
After stuffing, add facial features.
Let’s begin!
More Pumpkins to Crochet
If you enjoyed this one, try the Little Rustic Pumpkin, the Easy Pumpkin Amigurumi, the Crochet Pumpkin Pillow, or the Pumpkin Doily. For a whole collection in one place, browse 10 Easy Free Crochet Pumpkin Patterns and our 7 adorable free pumpkin patterns.
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Happy hooking!
