The Knobby Crochet Pumpkin is a textured pumpkin pattern inspired by the bumpy knucklehead pumpkins you see throughout fall. Small bobble stitches create the raised texture, while simple shaping adds the ridges around the finished pumpkin.
This free pattern includes two sizes and is worked in continuous rounds using super bulky yarn and an L/8mm crochet hook. It’s rated advanced beginner and works up quickly once you get familiar with the bobble stitch.
I love mixing the Knobby Pumpkin with smoother and ribbed pumpkins for a fall display—the extra texture makes it stand out on trays, shelves, and mantels.
Looking for more styles? Browse my 12+ Free Crochet Pumpkin Patterns for even more sizes, textures, and construction methods.
📌 Love this pattern? Save the image to your favorite crochet board on Pinterest so you can easily find it later!
Styling The Knobby Crochet Pumpkin
The raised texture on the Knobby Crochet Pumpkin makes it a great accent piece for fall decorating. I like pairing it with smoother or ribbed pumpkins so the different textures stand out.
Display a single pumpkin on a shelf, tray, or mantel, or group both sizes together with candles, greenery, or other simple fall décor.
Yarn
I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, a size 6 super bulky yarn, for the Knobby Crochet Pumpkin.
Some of my favorite fall colors are Pumpkin, Butterscotch, Oatmeal, Fall Leaves, and Mustard. The thicker yarn helps the pumpkin hold its shape while showing off the raised bobble texture.
You can shop Wool-Ease Thick & Quick from:
Lion Brand Yarn
Amazon
Yarn Alternatives
This pattern works well with several different yarns. If you substitute a different weight or fiber, check your gauge and adjust your hook size as needed. The most important thing is creating a tight fabric so the Poly-fil doesn’t show through the stitches.
A few yarns I’ve used or recommend:
- Bernat Maker — use two strands held together
- Lion Brand Rewind Tape Yarn — use two strands held together
- Lion Brand Hue + Me — use two strands held together
- Cover Story™ Lazy Days Thick & Quick® — use one strand
- Fluff of the Andes from WeCrochet
The mustard pumpkin shown below was made with a discontinued velvet yarn. For a similar soft, plush look, try Bernat Velvet with two strands held together. Keep in mind that velvet yarn will create a softer finished pumpkin than Wool-Ease Thick & Quick.
Stems & Embellishments
My favorite stem option for the Knobby Crochet Pumpkin is a small wooden branch gathered from outside. Give it a good wash and let it dry completely before using it.
Cinnamon sticks and wine corks also work well. You can also find cleaned wooden sticks on Amazon—just check the measurements carefully since product photos can make them look larger than they are.
Another option is to use decorative tags as stems or accents. My Crochet Tags & Labels Guide shares the different styles I use most often.
Angie & Britt — custom Ultrasuede logo tags, leaves, and seasonal designs
Savlabot — vegan leather leaves and seasonal tags
Sizing
The Knobby Crochet Pumpkin pattern includes two sizes:
- Small: Approximately 2½” tall × 14″ circumference
- Large: Approximately 3″ tall × 17½” circumference
Measurements do not include the stem.
The pattern is worked in multiples of 6, making it easy to adjust the finished size. Add an additional half double crochet increase round for a larger pumpkin, or remove an increase round for a smaller pumpkin. The instructions for the sides remain the same—you’ll simply have a different stitch count.
Gauge
Gauge is measured after completing the first 3 rounds of the pattern with an L/8mm crochet hook:
- Small: Approximately 4¼”
- Large: Approximately 4–4¼”
Check your gauge before starting, especially if you’re substituting yarn. Differences in yarn and tension can affect the finished size.
Skill Level
Advanced Beginner
Stitch Key | US Terms
- beg – beginning
- bo – two double crochet bobble stitch
- ch(s) – chain/chains
- hdc – half double crochet
- inv-scdec – invisible single crochet decrease
- rnd(s) – round/rounds
- sc – single crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch/stitches
✂️ Materials & Supplies Needed
Grab everything you need to make the Knobby Crochet Pumpkin:
- Yarn: Size 6 Super Bulky Yarn — I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
- Yardage: Approximately 34–50 yards (finished size and gauge may vary depending on the yarn used)
- Crochet Hook: Size L/8.0mm Hook (or size needed to meet gauge)
- Notions: Tapestry Needle, Flexible Measuring Tape, and Stitch Marker
- Filling: Poly-Fil
- Stem: Dried branch, cinnamon stick, wine cork, or another stem option of your choice
- Adhesive: Glue or hot glue gun for attaching the stem
- Optional Embellishments: Ribbon, flowers, leaves, or other fall embellishments
Special Stitches
Invisible Single Crochet Decrease (inv-scdec)
Insert hook into front loop only of 1st st, insert hook into front loop only of next st, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook, yarn over, pull through last 2 loops on hook. (counts as 1 single crochet)
Full Video Instructions for The Invisible Single Crochet Decrease Here
Two Double Crochet Bobble Stitch – bo
Yarn over, insert hook in indicated stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook
yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook, (3 loops on hook)
Yarn over, pull through all remaining loops on hook.
Video Instructions
Prefer to follow along visually? The video tutorial walks through the main steps of the Knobby Crochet Pumpkin, including the textured stitch pattern, shaping, stuffing, and finishing.
Written Instructions
- Do not join at end of each round, unless otherwise noted, mark the 1st st of each round with st marker.
- The bobbles will have a tendency to pop out on the wrong side of your work, push them forward as you work, they are meant to be tiny little bumps and will not be very pronounced.
Size Small
Rnd 1. Create a magic circle, ch1, work 10 hdc in circle. (10hdc)
Alternate Method: Ch4, join with sl st in 4th ch from hook, ch1, work 10 hdc in circle. (10hdc)
Rnd 2. 2 hdc in each st around. (20hdc)
Rnd 3. *hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, repeat from * around. (30hdc) (diameter should measure approximately 4 ¼” across)
Rnd 4. sc in each st around. (30sc)
Rnd 5. *sc in next 2sts, bo in next st, repeat from * around. (30sts)
Rnd 6. Repeat rnd 4. (30sc)
Rnd 7. Sc in next st *bo in next st, sc in next 2sts, repeat from * around (2sts remain), bo in next st, sc in last st. (30sts)
Rnd 8. Repeat rnd 4. (30sc)
Rnd 9. *bo in next st, sc in next 2sts, repeat from * around. (30sts)
Rnd 10. Repeat rnd 4. (30sc)
Rnd 11. *Sc in next st, inv-scdec in next st, repeat from * around. (20sc)
Rnd 12. Inv-scdec around, join with sl st in beg sc. (10sc)
- Fasten off leaving a 30-40 inch tail end. Weave in beginning tail end, and fill pumpkin with Poly-fil.
- Tip: don’t overfill or you’ll see the Poly-fil through the gaps in the yarn.
- Reference Steps 1-3 below for finishing off your pumpkin.
Size Large
Rnd 1. Create a magic circle, ch1, work 9 hdc in circle. (9hdc)
Alternate Method: Ch4, join with sl st in 4th ch from hook, ch1, work 9 hdc in circle. (9hdc)
Rnd 2. 2 hdc in each st around. (18hdc)
Rnd 3. *hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, repeat from * around. (27hdc) (diameter should measure approximately 4” – 4¼” across)
Rnd 4. *hdc in next 2 hdc, 2 hdc in next, repeat from * around. (36hdc) (diameter should measure approximately 5 ¼” – 5 ½” across)
Rnd 5. sc in each st around. (36sc)
Rnd 6. *sc in next 2sts, bo in next st, repeat from * around. (36sts)
Rnd 7. Repeat rnd 5. (36sc)
Rnd 8. Sc in next st *bo in next st, sc in next 2sts, repeat from * around (2sts remain), bo in next st, sc in last st. (36sts)
Rnd 9. Repeat rnd 5. (36sc)
Rnd 10. *bo in next st, sc in next 2 sts, repeat from * around. (36sts)
Rnd 11. Repeat rnd 5. (36sc)
Rnd 12. *Sc in next 2sts, inv-scdec in next st, repeat from * around. (27sc)
Rnd 13. *Sc in next st, inv-scdec in next st, repeat from * around. (18sc)
Rnd 14. Inv-scdec around, join with sl st in beg sc. (9sc)
- Fasten off leaving a 30-40 inch tail end. Weave in beginning tail end, and fill pumpkin with Poly-fil.
- Tip: don’t overfill or you’ll see the Poly-fil through the gaps in the yarn.
- Reference Steps 1-3 below for finishing off your pumpkin.
Step 1
Weave tail end in and out around last rnd of sts. I worked under both loops.
Step 2
Pull tail end to cinch closed. Use caution if using tape or velvet yarn, as it tends to break easily. If you’d like, leave a small opening for the stem, or just glue it right on top.
Step 3
Take tail end and insert tapestry needle through the bottom center of pumpkin, push needle up through the top center, and pull tight to create the first ridge. Repeat step 3 evenly around the pumpkin until you have a total of 6 ridges around the pumpkin.
Your pumpkin is finished! Weave in the loose end, adorn with stems, leaves, and ribbons, as desired!! I use a hot glue gun to add the stem.
If you make the Knobby Crochet Pumpkin, I’d love to see how yours turns out! Share a photo and tag me @simplymadebyerin so I can see your finished pumpkin.
More Fall & Halloween Crochet Patterns
If you enjoyed making the Knobby Crochet Pumpkin, here are a few more fall and Halloween crochet patterns and collections you may like:
- 12+ Free Crochet Pumpkin Patterns
- 18+ Free Fall & Halloween Crochet Patterns
- Free Crochet Witch Hat Garland Pattern
- Free Crochet All-Season Wreath – Fall Edition
