Let’s learn how to make Knitting Machine Pumpkin Stacks! If you’re looking for a fun, Fall craft, that doesn’t require crochet or knitting skills, machine knitting is for you. These charming pumpkin stacks are quick to make and add a unique touch to your seasonal decor.
In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through the steps to create a beautiful pumpkin shape, out of a simple machine knit tube, and how to secure the pumpkins into beautiful stacks.
Let’s get started!
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 can instantly add a touch of warmth to your space. By mixing and matching various pumpkin designs, sizes, and yarns, you can create a unique pumpkin patch on your holiday table, that you can enjoy all season long!
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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 (or yarn that works with your machine), would be amazing. I especially love textured or fuzzy yarns, like tweeds, wool, alpaca, etc. Natural fibers always create a more realistic, warm, and cozy look.
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
Sizing
The pattern comes in three sizes. I find the sizes vary depending on the yarn used and how full you stuff them. Below are the approximate sizes:
Small – Approximately 1.5 – 2 inches tall, 11 – 12 inch circumference (not including stem)
Medium – Approximately 2 inches tall, 13 – 15 inch circumference (not including stem)
Large – Approximately 3 inches tall, 16 – 18 inch circumference (not including stem)
Completed pumpkin stacks measured approximately 6-7 Inches tall.
The pattern is very easy to adjust by adding or subtracting rounds on your knitting machine. The more rounds you make, the larger the pumpkin will be. The rest of the pattern remains the same, no matter how many rounds you create. I wouldn’t recommend much smaller than about 20-30 rounds on the Addi King, as it makes it difficult to create a nice pumpkin shape, if you go smaller than that.
Stems
The easiest option for the stem, on Knitting Machine Pumpkin Stacks, is wooden branches you find laying around 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 or Ultrasuede tags as stems. I recently created a blog post on the different crochet tags I use. The full post with extensive detail can be found here.
– The vegan leather leaves and give thanks tags (shown below), are from Savlabot.
– The Ultrasuede custom logo tags (shown as the stem below), are from Angie & Britt. They also offer leaves and some fun seasonal tag designs.
Materials
Shop Supplies on Amazon or Like To Know It (LTK)
Knitting Machine (instructions below were based on using The Addi King, 46 needle)
Worsted Weight, size 4 yarn (or any yarn that works with your machine)
Tapestry Needle
Upholstery Needle
Poly-Fil or extra yarn for filling
Dried Branch for Stem (glue or glue gun to attach)
Scissors
Optional – Ribbon and/or Twine
Video Instructions
Written Instructions
Cast on normally, do not use waste yarn.
Size small – Complete 30 rounds
Size Medium – Complete 50 rounds
Size Large – Complete 70 rounds
Cast off, using a yarn needle, and picking up all stitches from the machine.
Forming The Pumpkin
Note: Follow the full video instructions above if you prefer visual instructions.
Once you’ve made all three sizes and they’re removed from the machine, cinch each end closed.
Double the tubes (like making a hat), by folding one end inside the other. You’ll now have two cinched pieces on one side (this is the bottom of your pumpkin, and the piece will be inside-out), knot the two yarn ends together tightly, weave in loose ends, and fasten off once secured.
Turn piece right side out and add Polyfil. With a long piece of extra yarn (about 3 feet), cinch the remaining end closed by weaving the extra yarn around the top of the tube. Secure in place by knotting the two ends of yarn together, and leave a small opening for the stem. Do NOT fasten off, the excess yarn tails will be used to create the ribbing below.
Create The Pumpkin Ribbing
Using a tapestry needle, take the remaining yarn tails, wrap them around the outside of the pumpkin’s body, pushing them up through the bottom center of the pumpkin. Continue to push needle all the way through to the top center, and pull tightly, to create the first rib. Repeat for as many ribs as you’d like (I prefer 5).
Once the ribbing is complete, weave in loose ends, to secure, and fasten off.
Attaching The Pumpkin Stacks
A Quick Video Tutorial On How To Stack Crochet Or Knit Pumpkins Can Be Found Here
- Stack your pumpkins as desired with the largest pumpkin on the bottom, and smallest on top.
- Thread a long upholstery needle with about 2-3 feet of twine, starting at the top of your stack, (slightly of centered from the center opening), push upholstery needle and twine through all three pumpkin layers. Push needle through the bottom of the pumpkin, back up through the top, again working slightly off centered and on the opposite side.
- Knot the two pieces of twine in the center of the pumpkin to secure the stack.
- Add stem with glue or hot glue gun and tie twine in a bow.
- Finish pumpkin off with ribbon and other embellishments as desired, using glue or a hot glue gun.
Your Knitting Machine Pumpkin Stacks are complete!! If you try the pattern, I’d love to see pics. Be sure to tag me @simplymadebyerin
I also have a bundle of 8, ad free, printable PDF pumpkin patterns on Etsy for a great discount! They’re perfect for stacking! I think you’ll also enjoy The Harvest Crochet Pumpkin Pattern and The Mini Ribbed Pumpkin Pattern, both free on the blog!
Pattern and images are copyright protected and the sole property of Simply Made By Erin. The written pattern is for personal use only. Please do not redistribute, transfer, or sell the pattern or images.
Feel free to do what you like with the finished product, but please credit me as the designer.
You may copy and paste the following information to your product:
Pattern Designed By Simply Made By Erin www.SimplyMadeByErin.com
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