Have you ever wondered how to securely stack crochet or knit pumpkins for fall decor? This simple pumpkin stacking method works with a variety of handmade pumpkin styles and is an easy way to turn individual pumpkins into a decorative centerpiece.
All you need is a long upholstery needle, twine or sturdy yarn, and a few basic finishing supplies. Once the pumpkins are attached, you can add a natural wood stem, ribbon, tags, or other seasonal embellishments to customize your finished stack.
For the pumpkins shown in this tutorial, I used my Knitting Machine Pumpkin Stacks Tutorial, but the same method works with many of my crochet pumpkin patterns too.
If you’re using crochet pumpkins, you can find plenty of options in my 12+ Free Crochet Pumpkin Patterns collection.
Let’s get started!
📌 Love this pumpkin stack tutorial? Save the image to your favorite craft board on Pinterest so you can easily find it later!
Styling Ideas For Stacked Pumpkins
Stacked pumpkins are especially nice when you want height in a fall display without adding a lot of extra decor.
Display them on a mantel, shelf, kitchen counter, entryway table, or decorative tray. They also look beautiful mixed with greenery, candles, wooden accents, or individual crochet pumpkins in different sizes.
For a more neutral look, use creams, browns, greens, and natural stems. For a traditional fall display, mix warm shades of pumpkin, mustard, rust, and olive.
What Kind Of Pumpkins Can You Stack?
This method works best with soft stuffed pumpkins that have a fairly flat top and bottom.
You can stack:
- Crochet pumpkins
- Knit pumpkins
- Knitting machine pumpkins
- Pumpkins in different sizes, colors, and yarn textures
For the most balanced look, I prefer using three pumpkins, with the largest on the bottom and the smallest on top. You can also experiment with two-pumpkin stacks or taller groupings depending on the size and shape of your pumpkins.
Make The Knitting Machine Pumpkins Shown
For the pumpkins shown in this tutorial, I used the machine-knit pumpkins from my Knitting Machine Pumpkin Stacks Tutorial.
That tutorial includes the complete sizing, yarn suggestions, video instructions, and step-by-step construction for making the pumpkins shown here.
Already have your pumpkins made? Continue below to learn how to securely stack them together.
Supplies Needed To Stack Your Pumpkins
✂️ Materials & Supplies Needed
Grab everything you need to securely stack and finish your handmade pumpkins:
- Finished Pumpkins: Crochet, knit, or knitting machine pumpkins in your desired sizes
- Upholstery Needle: A long needle that can pass through the entire pumpkin stack
- Twine or Yarn: Approximately 2–3 feet for securing the pumpkins together
- Stem: Small dried branch, cinnamon stick, wine cork, or another stem of your choice
- Finishing Supplies: Craft Glue or Hot Glue Gun
- Optional Embellishments: Ribbon, leaves, tags, greenery, or other seasonal accents
Video Tutorial: How To Stack Crochet Or Knit Pumpkins
Prefer to learn by watching? Follow along with my quick How To Stack Crochet or Knit Pumpkins video tutorial to see exactly how I thread the twine through the pumpkins and secure the stack.
The technique works with crochet, knit, and knitting machine pumpkins, so you can use the same method with many different handmade pumpkin designs.
How To Stack Crochet Or Knit Pumpkins
- Arrange your pumpkins from largest on the bottom to smallest on top.
- Thread a long upholstery needle with approximately 2–3 feet of twine or sturdy yarn.
- Starting near the center opening of the top pumpkin, insert the needle through all of the pumpkin layers and push it completely through the bottom of the stack.
- Bring the needle back through the stack a second time, slightly offset from the first pass, so both ends of the twine come out near the top center.
- Pull the twine snug enough to hold the pumpkins securely together without overly compressing the shapes.
- Knot the two ends of the twine securely at the top of the stack.
- Attach a dried branch, cinnamon stick, wine cork, or another stem using craft glue or hot glue.
- Finish with ribbon, leaves, tags, greenery, or other seasonal embellishments if desired.
Tips For Creating A Balanced Pumpkin Stack
Try choosing pumpkins that gradually decrease in size from bottom to top. A wider bottom pumpkin creates a more stable base, while the smaller top pumpkin keeps the stack from looking too heavy.
Mixing different yarn textures can also create a beautiful layered look. Try combining ribbed, smooth, bobbled, or chunky pumpkin designs while keeping the colors coordinated.
Before threading the pumpkins together, arrange them several different ways to decide which sides you want facing forward. Once they’re secured, rotating them individually becomes much more difficult.
Your Stacked Crochet or Knit Pumpkins are complete! I’d love to see how yours turned out. Be sure to tag me @simplymadebyerin on Instagram so I can see your finished pumpkin stacks.
More Fall & Pumpkin Patterns
If you enjoyed this Pumpkin Stacking Tutorial, here are a few more fall projects and pumpkin patterns to try:
- 12+ Free Crochet Pumpkin Patterns You’ll Love
- Knitting Machine Pumpkin Stacks
- One Stitch Adjustable Crochet Pumpkin
- 18+ Free Fall & Halloween Crochet Patterns
