The Great Star Pumpkin: A Free Crochet Pattern

Today I wanted to share a fun (and free!) fall decor pattern with you all. If you followed along with at with my Ocean’s Breath Collection, you’ll know that I’ve been loving the star stitch lately. I decided to use it again in a star stitch pumpkin design that I’m calling: The Great Star Pumpkin.

The following is a free pattern, if you would like to purchase a detailed, ad-free PDF version of this pattern, please visit my Etsy or Ravelry shop.

**This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. This is a great way to support my small business and get the supplies you need.**

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About the Pattern

I started out just playing around with some textures on a mini pumpkin. But after seeing how great it looked, I decided to write the pattern for this star stitch pumpkin in three different sizes. There’s a small pumpkin that is about 4″ in diameter, a medium that is about 6″, and a large that is about 8″.

I’ve been on a major stash-busting kick lately, so I actually used double stranded worsted weight yarn to make all three pumpkins. However, you could easily use a Bulky 5 or 6 yarn instead. Just a heads up, the Super Bulky 6 might make slightly larger pumpkins, but the overall shape will be the same.

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Some Helpful Hints

First of all, in order to make a star stitch pumpkin, you’ll need to know how to do the star stitch. I’ve described it in detail in my pattern, but if you’re more of visual person, check out my step-by-step tutorial and video. Find the post here!

Next, this pattern uses the mattress stitch to make a seam. If you’ve never used this before, don’t worry! It’s an easy stitch to learn. And you can always seam with a whip stitch instead. But if you need a little help, check out this short video from Moogly.

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Assembly

The assembly of this crochet pumpkin is probably the most involved part. I have some photos to help you through the process.

Step 1

When you finish the crochet section of this pumpkin, you will have a rectangle. You will begin the assembly folding the work in half and seaming the ends together using the mattress stitch.

Step 2

Once you have seamed the short ends together, you will need to close the top and bottoms. Using the tail and tapestry needle, weave the yarn in and out around the top edge of the piece approximately every 1 1/2” – 2”. Then cinch it closed. I find that it helps to go around the edge of the circle again with the tapestry needle to be sure the opening is completely closed. Then you’ll pull the tapestry needle down through the center an flip the piece over.

Step 3 & 4

You’ll repeat the weaving on the opposite side, but be sure to stuff your pumpkin before you cinch it up and close it.

Step 5

At this point, you’ll be adding the creases to your star stitch pumpkin. To do this, you’ll push the tapestry needle and yarn down through the center of the pumpkin and out of the bottom. Then bring it around the outside of the pumpkin and line it up with the ridges that were created by the single crochet rows. Push the tapestry needle down through the center of the pumpkin again and out of the bottom and pull it tight. This will make the characteristic pumpkin creases. Repeat this in each of the six ridges and them weave your ends (or just tuck them inside the pumpkin like I do.)

To finish up your pumpkin, tuck a stick down into the center. I use a touch of hot glue to hold it in place. But I should note that you should be careful if you’re using acrylic yarn, as heat can melt acrylic.

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Want to Pin it for Later?

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Materials Needed

50 – 170 yds of Double Stranded worsted weight yarn or Bulky (5) or (6) yarn
Size J (6.0mm) crochet hook
Measuring Tape
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Hot Glue (optional)
Stick or Cinnamon Stick

Stitches Used

Ch – Chain
SC in BLO – Single Crochet in Back Loops Only
SC in FLO – Single Crochet in Front Loops Only
HDC – Half Double Crochet
Star Stitch

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Pattern

STAR STITCH SECTION

With J Hook. Ch (15 25,37).
Row 1: Complete a row of star stitches doing the following.
Ch 3. Insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, pull up a loop. Repeat by inserting hook into next ch, pull up a loop. Insert hook and pull up a loop over next 3 sc st. (6 loops on hook) Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook. Ch 1 to close star stitch (eye of star stitch).

Insert hook into eye of star stitch, pull up a loop. Repeat by inserting hook between the last two spikes of the previous star stitch, pull up a loop. Insert hook in the same stitch as the last spike of the previous star stitch, pull up a loop. Insert hook and pull up a loop over next 2 sc stitches. (6 loops on hook) Yarn over and pull through all loops on
hook. Ch 1 to close star stitch.

Repeat across until you finish the last star stitch. [(7,12,18) star stitches]

Row 2: Ch 1 and turn. 2 Hdc in the eye of each star stitch across. Hdc in top of last star stitch. (15, 25, 37)

For Small Pumpkin
Move onto SINGLE CROCHET SECTION.
For Medium Pumpkin
Repeat Rows 1-2 before moving onto SINGLE CROCHET SECTION.
For Large Pumpkin
Repeat Rows 1-2 twice before moving onto SINGLE CROCHET SECTION.

SINGLE CROCHET SECTION

Row 1: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in BLO in each stitch across. (15, 25, 37)
Row 2: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in FLO in each stitch across. (15, 25, 37)

Repeat STAR STITCH SECTION and SINGLE CROCHET SECTION five more times for a total of six sets. You should have a rectangle with six visibly separate sections at this point.

ASSEMBLY

1) Tie off leaving a long end, approx 24”-36” depending on the size of pumpkin.

2) Fold the work in half so that the short ends meet. Using a tapestry needle and the long tail, sew the two ends together using the mattress stitch. Leave yarn attached.

3) Using the tail and tapestry needle, weave the yarn in and out around the top edge of the piece approximately every 1 1/2” – 2”.

4) Cinch the top closed and go around the edge of the cinched circle again to secure it. When it is securely closed, push the tapestry needle down through the center of the hole and flip the piece over so that the closed top becomes the bottom and the yarn tail is pulled up through the center.

5) Repeat Step 3 around the opposite edge of the pumpkin.

6) Stuff the pumpkin.

7) Repeat Step 4.

8) Once both ends are securely closed, push the tapestry needle down through the center of the pumpkin and out the bottom. Pull the yarn around the outside edge and line it up with the ridge made by the SINGLE CROCHET SECTION. Push the tapestry needle down through the center and out the bottom again. Pull tightly to create a crease. Repeat in each SINGLE CROCHET SECTION ridge around.

9) Tie off and weave ends.

10) Place a small stick (or cinnamon stick into the center of the pumpkin for a stem. You can secure it in place with a dab of hot glue (be careful though, as heat can melt acrylic yarn).

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Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoy these star stitch pumpkins. These have become a part of my personal fall decor and I hope they’ll be a part of yours too. Be sure to share your work on Instagram with the hashtag #greatstarpumpkin and tag me @craftingforweeks so I can see your work too!

Until next time…Happy Crafting!

Kelsie