If you’re looking for a quick and easy fall project, these Knitting Machine Pumpkin Stacks are such a fun way to create handmade seasonal decor without traditional knitting or crochet.
Using a 46-needle knitting machine, simple tubes of worsted weight yarn are transformed into soft, textured pumpkins in three different sizes. Once shaped and stacked together, they make a cozy fall accent for a mantel, shelf, decorative tray, kitchen counter, or tabletop display.
One of my favorite things about this project is how easy it is to customize. Change the yarn colors, adjust the number of rounds to create different pumpkin sizes, or finish your stack with natural wood stems, ribbon, twine, leather tags, or other fall embellishments.
If you love making pumpkins for fall, you can also find even more ideas in my 12+ Free Crochet Pumpkin Patterns collection.
Below, I’ll walk you through how to make the pumpkin tubes, shape and stuff each pumpkin, create the ribbing, and securely assemble your finished stack.
Grab your yarn and knitting machine, and let’s get started!
📌 Love this Knitting Machine Pumpkin pattern? Save the image to your favorite fall craft board on Pinterest so you can easily find it later!
Styling Ideas For Your Knitting Machine Pumpkin Stacks
Knitting Machine Pumpkin Stacks add a warm and cozy touch around your home. I prefer to create stacks on the smaller side. The compact size fits perfectly on a decorative tray or shelf, nestled around a plant or candle. Small groupings in sets of three create balance and visual appeal.
Incorporating pumpkins into your fall tablescape is an easy way to add warmth and texture to your space. By mixing and matching different pumpkin designs, sizes, and yarns, you can create a unique pumpkin patch on your table to enjoy all season long.
Knitting Machine
There are several different types of knitting machines on the market. I use The Addi King, 46 needle knitting machine, but several others will work when you’re making pumpkins. The more rounds you create on your machine, the larger your pumpkin will be. Try experimenting with many different sizes.
Yarn
When working with a knitting machine, it’s important to use the size yarn that works best with your machine. The Addi King, 46 needle knitting machine works best with a worsted weight yarn. The yardage required will vary greatly depending on the yarn and what size pumpkin you’re making. You should be able to get several pumpkins from most average size skeins of yarn.
I love the worsted weight yarn choices from Hobby Lobby. I’ve used many yarns from Hobby Lobby throughout the years, and unfortunately some of my favorites have now been discontinued, but there are still many options I recommend.
Below are a few of my favorite yarns for pumpkin stacks:
I Love This Yarn – Ivory Tweed, Sacramento, & Sweet Dijon (there are many more great colors).
Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek – Mustard, Pumpkin, Linen, Tobacco, & Wheat
Yarn Bee Rustic Romantic – Okie Wheat & Pumpkin Spice
Yarn Alternatives
Any worsted weight yarn that works well with your machine is a good option. I especially love textured or fuzzy yarns like tweeds, wool, and alpaca blends for pumpkins because they add extra texture and warmth.
Below are suppliers I recommend for worsted weight yarn:
Lion Brand Yarn
Amazon or Like To Know It (LTK)
I was recently gifted some beautiful yarn from WeCrochet. The worsted weight yarn worked great with The Knitting Machine Pumpkin Stacks Pattern.
Shown below is:
Brava Tweed in Goldenrod & Stratus
Wool Of The Andes Tweed in Down Heather and Rabbit Heather
Stems
One of the easiest stem options for Knitting Machine Pumpkin Stacks is a small wooden branch found outside. Give them a good wash and let them air dry. Cinnamon sticks or wine corks work well too. In addition, you can buy real wooden sticks on Amazon. They’re all cleaned and ready to use, just look closely at the size description, as the photos can be misleading.
Another fun option is to use vegan leather or Ultrasuede® tags as decorative pumpkin stems. They add a modern, polished touch and are especially cute when paired with coordinating leaves or seasonal accents.
If you’d like to learn more about the different tags and labels I use, check out my Crochet Tags & Labels 101 Guide, where I share my favorite options, where I buy them, and how I attach them to my crochet and knit projects.
The vegan leather leaves and “Give Thanks” tags shown below are from Savlabot. The Ultrasuede custom logo tags shown below are from Angie & Britt. They also offer leaves and seasonal tag designs.
Sizing For The Knitting Machine Pumpkin Stacks
Small — Approximately 1.5–2 inches tall with an 11–12 inch circumference, not including the stem
Medium — Approximately 2 inches tall with a 13–15 inch circumference, not including the stem
Large — Approximately 3 inches tall with a 16–18 inch circumference, not including the stem
The finished three-pumpkin stack measures approximately 6–7 inches tall, depending on how tightly the pumpkins are shaped and stacked.
One of the nice things about this pattern is how easy it is to customize the pumpkin size. Simply add or subtract rounds on your knitting machine—the more rounds you work, the larger the finished pumpkin will be.
The remaining construction steps stay the same regardless of the number of rounds. When using the Addi King 46-Needle Knitting Machine, I wouldn’t recommend going much smaller than about 20–30 rounds, as shorter tubes can be more difficult to shape into a full pumpkin.
✂️ Materials & Supplies Needed
Grab everything you need to make your Knitting Machine Pumpkin Stacks:
- Knitting Machine: The instructions below are based on using the Addi King 46-Needle Knitting Machine
- Yarn: Size 4 Worsted Weight Yarn, or another yarn that works well with your knitting machine
- Notions: Tapestry Needle, Upholstery Needle, and Scissors
- Filling: Poly-Fil or extra yarn
- Stem: Dried branch (attach with hot glue or craft glue)
- Optional Embellishments: Ribbon and/or Twine
Video Instructions
Prefer to learn by watching? Follow along with my Knitting Machine Pumpkin video tutorial for step-by-step guidance on making the pumpkin tubes, shaping and stuffing each pumpkin, creating the ribbing, and assembling the finished stack.
Written Instructions
Cast on normally using your preferred method. Do not use waste yarn.
Small Pumpkin — Complete 30 rounds
Medium Pumpkin — Complete 50 rounds
Large Pumpkin — Complete 70 rounds
Cast off by using a yarn needle to pick up each stitch directly from the knitting machine.
Forming The Pumpkin
Note: Follow the full video tutorial above if you prefer visual instructions for shaping the pumpkins.
Once all three knitted tubes are complete and removed from the machine, cinch both ends of each tube closed.
- Fold one end of the tube inside the other, similar to forming a double-layer knit hat. You should now have both cinched ends together on one side of the pumpkin. This will become the bottom.
- Knot the two yarn tails together securely, weave in the loose ends, and fasten off.
- Turn the pumpkin right side out and fill with Poly-Fil or scrap yarn.
- Using approximately 3 feet of additional yarn, weave around the open edge of the pumpkin and pull tightly to cinch it closed. Knot the yarn securely, leaving a small opening in the center for the stem.
- Do not fasten off. The remaining yarn tails will be used to create the pumpkin ribbing.
Create The Pumpkin Ribbing
- Thread one of the remaining yarn tails onto a tapestry needle.
- Wrap the yarn around the outside of the pumpkin, then insert the needle through the bottom center and bring it all the way through the top center. Pull the yarn firmly to create the first pumpkin ridge.
- Repeat this process around the pumpkin until you have the desired number of sections. I prefer approximately five ribs, but you can add more or fewer depending on the look you want.
- Once the shaping is complete, secure the yarn, weave in the loose ends, and fasten off.
Attaching The Pumpkin Stacks
For additional help, a quick video tutorial on How to Stack Crochet or Knit Pumpkins can be found here.
- Arrange the pumpkins with the largest on the bottom, medium in the center, and smallest on top.
- Thread a long upholstery needle with approximately 2–3 feet of twine. Starting near the center opening at the top of the stack, push the needle and twine through all three pumpkins and out through the bottom.
- Bring the needle back through the entire stack a second time, slightly offset from the first pass, so both ends of the twine come out near the top center.
- Tie the two pieces of twine together securely to hold the pumpkin stack in place.
- Add a dried branch stem using craft glue or hot glue, then tie the twine into a bow if desired.
- Finish your pumpkin stack with ribbon, leaves, tags, or other seasonal embellishments.
Your Knitting Machine Pumpkin Stacks 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 pumpkins.
More Fall & Pumpkin Patterns
If you enjoyed making these Knitting Machine Pumpkin Stacks, here are a few more fall projects to add to your seasonal decor:
- 12+ Free Crochet Pumpkin Patterns You’ll Love
- One Stitch Adjustable Crochet Pumpkin
- Crochet Pumpkin with Witch Hat
- 18+ Free Fall & Halloween Crochet Patterns
