Crocheting pumpkins is one of my favorite fall traditions, and I’m so excited to share my One Stitch Adjustable Crochet Pumpkin Pattern with you. If you love decorating for autumn, be sure to check out my 12+ Free Crochet Pumpkin Patterns collection for even more pumpkin inspiration.
Over the years, I’ve designed several crochet pumpkin patterns, but this one is a little different. Using just one simple stitch, you can easily adjust the size, shape, and texture to create everything from tiny accent pumpkins to oversized statement pieces. If you enjoy a more traditional look, you’ll also love my Harvest Pumpkin pattern.
Whether you’re making a few pumpkins for a tray centerpiece or filling a basket with pumpkins in every color imaginable, this versatile pattern makes it easy to create a custom fall display you’ll enjoy bringing out year after year.
📌 Love this pattern? Save the image to your favorite crochet board on Pinterest so you can easily find it later!
What Makes These Pumpkins Adjustable
One of my favorite things about the One Stitch Adjustable Crochet Pumpkin Pattern is how versatile it is. You can use any size 6 yarn or hold two strands of size 5 yarn together to create pumpkins in a variety of sizes and textures.
I tested seven of my favorite yarns, and each one gave the finished pumpkin its own unique personality. It’s a fun way to customize your pumpkins while using yarn you may already have on hand.
The pattern is worked in simple, repeating rows using the half-double crochet slip stitch. One of my favorite things about this stitch is how dramatically the finished pumpkin changes depending on which loop you work into.
Alternating between the front loops only on one row and both loops on the next creates beautiful, natural-looking ribbing with an almost braided effect. Working in the back loops only throughout the pattern creates a slightly different texture with more pronounced “V”-shaped ribs.
No matter which variation you choose, you’ll end up with a beautiful pumpkin that’s easy to customize for your fall decorating.
Ready to get started? Grab your favorite yarn, and let’s make a pumpkin!
Yarn Suggestions For The Adjustable Crochet Pumpkin Pattern
The Adjustable Crochet Pumpkin Pattern is designed to work with any size 6 (super bulky) yarn or two strands of size 5 (bulky) yarn held together. Because every yarn has a slightly different thickness and texture, the finished size and yardage will vary depending on the yarn you choose.
One of my favorite things about this pattern is how easy it is to customize with yarn you already have on hand. Just remember to crochet with a tight tension to help keep the Poly-fil from showing through.
I tested seven of my favorite yarns, and each one created a slightly different look and texture (shown in the photo below from left to right):
Yarns Used in This Pattern
These are the exact yarns and colors used to create the pumpkins shown in this pattern. Click each yarn name to shop.
- Bernat Maker – Cream (2 strands held together)
- Lion Brand Rewind Tape Yarn – Citronella (2 strands held together)
- Bobbiny 3mm Braided Cord – Mustard
- Cover Story™ Lazy Days Thick & Quick® Yarn – Mustard
- WeCrochet Fluff of the Andes – Solar Flare (pull gently when finishing off)
- Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick – Butterscotch
- Premier Chunky Cotton – Mustard (pull gently when finishing off)
Stem Options For The Adjustable Crochet Pumpkin Pattern
One of my favorite things about decorating these pumpkins is trying different stem options. My go-to choice is a small tree branch picked up from the yard—just give it a good wash and allow it to dry completely before using it.
Cinnamon sticks and wine corks are also great options. If you’d rather skip the hunt, you can also purchase natural wooden sticks on Amazon. They’re cleaned and ready to use, but I recommend checking the dimensions carefully since the listed sizes can sometimes be misleading.
For a more modern look, try using vegan leather or Ultrasuede tags as pumpkin stems. They’re one of my favorite finishing touches and add a unique decorative element. I also have a guide to the crochet tags I use that shares my favorite materials, tips, and suppliers.
The vegan leather leaves and BOO tags shown below are from Savlabot.
Skill Level
Advanced Beginner
Crochet Stitch Abbreviations in US Terms
- beg — beginning
- blo — back loop only
- ch(s) — chain / chains
- flo — front loop only
- hdc-slst — half double crochet slip stitch
- RS — right side
- sl st — slip stitch
- st(s) — stitch / stitches
- x — times
- WS — wrong side
✂️ Materials & Supplies Needed
Grab all the supplies you need in one convenient place:
- Yarn: Size 6 Super Bulky Yarn or 2 strands of Size 5 Bulky Yarn held together (yardage will vary depending on the yarn and pumpkin size)
- Crochet Hook: Size L/8mm Hook (or size needed to meet gauge)
- Notions: Tapestry Needle, Scissors, Flexible Measuring Tape, and Poly-Fil (or extra yarn for filling)
- Stem: Dried branch (attach with hot glue or craft glue)
- Optional Embellishments: Ribbon, vegan leather leaves, and decorative tags. Read my full Crochet Tags and Labels 101 guide here.
Special Stitches
Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch (hdc-slst)
Yarn over, insert hook in indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), pull the first loop on your hook through remaining two loops.
Tips:
- Try switching the loop you work into, working in both loops, back loop only, front loop only, or a combination of different loops, can create an entirely different look!
- Keep your tension loose to make it easy to complete the slip stitches.
Back Hump or Bump of a Chain
The back hump (also known as the back bump) is located on the backside of a crochet chain. While the front of the chain looks like a row of “V” shapes, with a front and back loop, the back features a small bump or bar behind each “V”. To locate the back hump or bump slightly rotate the chain or chains toward you.
Video Instructions For The Adjustable Crochet Pumpkin Pattern
Prefer to crochet along with a video? Watch the full step-by-step tutorial for the Adjustable Crochet Pumpkin Pattern below, then scroll down for the complete written pattern and printable instructions.
Adjustable Sizing
The written instructions create a small pumpkin approximately 11–14 inches in circumference and 2–2.5 inches tall (before adding the stem). One of the best things about this pattern is that it’s fully adjustable by changing the stitch and row count.
This pattern can be customized in several ways to create a variety of pumpkin shapes and sizes. Use the guide below to help you achieve your desired look, then simply follow the remainder of the pattern using your adjusted stitch and row counts.
| Shape | How to Adjust | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Round | Band length ≈ 3× the width. | Classic pumpkin. |
| Tall & Slender | Band length ≈ 1.5× the width. | Tall pumpkin. |
| Height | Add or subtract foundation chains. | Adjusts height. |
| Width | Add or subtract rows (end on an odd row). | Adjusts width. |
Once your rectangle is the size and shape you’d like, simply follow the remainder of the pattern using your adjusted stitch and row counts.
Gauge
Gauge will vary depending on the yarn you choose and isn’t critical for this pattern. The most important thing is maintaining a tight stitch tension to help keep the Poly-fil from showing through.
Written Instructions Size Small
Instructions Size Small
– Beg ch of each row does not count as st, work 1st st in same st as beg ch.
Option 1: Alternating Between Front & Both Loops
Row 1 WS.
Leaving a long tail end (about 12 inches), loosely ch9 (or desired length), working in back hump, hdc-slst in 2nd ch from hook, hdc-slst in remaining chs across, turn. (8hdc-slst)
Row 2 RS. Ch1, working in flo, hdc-slst across, turn. (8hdc-slst)
Row 3 WS. Ch1, working in both loops, hdc-slst across, turn. (8hdc-slst)
Row 4-27. Repeat alternating between row 2 and then row 3. (8hdc-slst)
Continue after row 27 from option two instructions below.
Option 2: Working in Back Loops Only
Row 1 WS.
Leaving a long tail end (about 12 inches), loosely ch9 (or desired length), working in back hump, hdc-slst in 2nd ch from hook, hdc-slst in remaining chs across, turn. (8hdc-slst)
Row 2-27. Ch1, working in blo, hdc-slst across, turn. (8hdc-slst)
If you add additional rows to the band, it should be made in odd increments.
Make sure the beginning and ending tails are on the same side of the rectangle before joining the band. This will allow you to cinch each side closed without attaching a new piece of yarn.
Joining Ends
- You will now join the foundation chain and last row together to form a continuous piece.
- With RS facing, fold the short sides of the piece together & line up the sts (the foundation row and WS should be facing you).
Joining For Option 1: Alternating Between Front & Both Loops
Loosely sl st through both loops of the foundation chs & both loops of last row of hdc-sl st, repeat across until the piece is fully joined. Fasten off leaving a long tail end (about 12-15 inches long)
Joining For Option 2: Working in Back Loops Only
Loosely sl st through both loops of the foundation chs & blo of last row of hdc-sl st, repeat across until the piece is fully joined. Fasten off leaving a long tail end (about 12-15 inches long)
Forming the Pumpkin
Using a tapestry needle, take foundation tail end, weave it in and out around row ends and cinch closed.
Weave in tail end, turn pumpkin RS facing out & fill with Poly-fil. Weave remaining tail in & out around final row ends & cinch closed (you can leave a slight opening in the middle to fit the stem).
To create a small indent in the top center of the pumpkin, insert tapestry needle through the top center of the pumpkin, pushing tail through to the bottom center of pumpkin. Push needle back up through bottom center pulling slightly. Weave needle around top where you cinched it closed, to keep indent in place.
- Fasten off and weave in loose end once secure.
- Finish pumpkin off with stem, ribbon, and other adornments as desired, using glue or a hot glue gun.
Your One Stitch Adjustable Pumpkin is finished, enjoy!!
I’d love to see pics if you try The One Stitch Adjustable Crochet Pumpkin Pattern. Be sure to tag me @simplymadebyerin
More Free Crochet Pumpkin Patterns
If you enjoyed making this One Stitch Adjustable Crochet Pumpkin Pattern, here are a few more fall favorites to add to your collection:
- 🎃 12+ Free Crochet Pumpkin Patterns
- 🎃 The Harvest Pumpkin
- 🎃 The Farmhouse Pumpkin
- 🎃 The Knobby Pumpkin
- 🎃 Mini Ribbed Pumpkins
More Free Fall & Halloween Crochet Patterns
Looking for even more seasonal decorating inspiration?
- 🍂 All Season Crochet Wreath
- 🧙 Decorative Crochet Halloween Witch Hats
- 👻 16 Free Halloween Crochet Patterns