Crochet Pumpkin Cover Pattern and Tutorial

Yes, it’s a crochet pumpkin cover! I received this Funkin the other day as part of the #12MonthsOfMartha program. It’s been sitting in my living room whispering “What will you do with me?” all week.  I have to say, I feel like I may have seen just about every possible pumpkin decorating idea there could be out there.  I wanted something different. Well, maybe its all the knitting and yarn I’ve been dealing with on my book, but I just felt like this pumpkin needed something a little fuzzy, so I gave him a little crochet cozy cover. I fell in love instantly.

First, what’s great is this is a Funkin, so I can keep it until next season – love that! I set it out on my doorstep with fabulous spiderweb rosettes and glitter spiders from Martha Stewart. The party decor isn’t water-proof, but I think they’ll last on my porch, and I love the drama they add.

I always want my Halloween decorations look pretty as well as seasonal. I feel like that’s just what I ended up with. Now, I want you to take a deep breath about the crocheting. It truly is as simple as some slip stitches, single and triple crochets. If you have done basic crocheting, you can definitely do this. It isn’t too difficult and I think you should give it a go. I’ve included detailed instructions below.

Abbreviations:

ch: chain
sc: single crochet
sts: stitchest
sl st: slip stitch
tc: triple crochet

For the tutorial, I’ve included the images from the egg tutorial, as the process is exactly the same until the end when you size it for something bigger like a pumpkin.  Please note that there are multiple photos per each round of crochet to show you as much as possible.

Round 1: Make a chain 10 sts long.  Join the chain with a sl st to form a circle.

Round 2: Chain 1 sc through the center of the circle 14 times. Join with a sl st.

Round 3: Ch 10, *skip one st and tc in next st, ch 5, repeat from * until beginning, sl st through 4th chain of first ch 10 made.

Round 4: Ch 1, *Sc in next 5 chs. When you get to tc from prior round, sc in that st twice. Repeat from * until beginning,  sl st through first sc.

Round 5: Ch 5, *skip one st and dc in next st, ch 2, repeat from * until beginning, sl st through 3rd chain of first ch 5 made.

Round 6: *Ch 14, skip one st and sc in next st, repeat from * to end, sl st into beginning of round.  If your pumpkin is larger, here is the place to adjust the pattern.

Round 7: Ch 6 , sc in next space, *ch 10 sc in next space, repeat from * to end.  To adjust your size, you can make these chains shorter as well. Also, note, the chain 6 goes along the side of the prior loop to get you ready for your next round of netting.

Round 8:  Ch 4 , sc in next space, *ch 18 sc in next space, repeat from * to end.  To adjust your size, make these chains shorter or longer though keep them consistent through the whole round. Try the cover on your pumpkin. When it is about 2/3 covered by the crocheted piece stretched across the front, you can start to close off your pocket in hit way. If it’s not 2/3 yet, you could repeat another round like round 8.  I did for this pumpkin.

Round 9 (optional):  Ch 8 (This number is always one less than half of your chain from the prior round.), sc in next space, *ch 10 sc in next space, repeat from * to end.

Round 10: Ch 4 (This number is always one less than half of your chain from the prior round.), *sc in next space, ch 6, repeat from * to end of round.  This will start to make a pocket with your crocheted piece. When this round less than halfway complete, try it on your pumpkin to make sure it will fit. If need be, adjust the prior round to help it fit. Continue crocheting while the cover is on the pumpkin.  Some of your stitches will be pulled more apart than others depending on how tight the fit is. Gather the circle as tightly across the back as you complete the round.

 

Pull the end through the last loop. Weave or tuck in all loose ends.

That’s it! Now, do a bunch more. Happy October!!