Hello everyone and welcome to my extra spooky Halloween blog!

Halloween is definitely one of my favourite times of the year.  Cosy nights in under a blanket (crocheted of course), a mug of chai latte and a nice spooky horror film or two.  In fact, sometimes I think that Halloween is better than Christmas!  With the leaves falling off the trees it reminds me of new beginnings and starting again.  So what better a way to celebrate this lovely season than crocheting your very own pumpkin!! This is a simple pattern that it suitable for beginners. Without further ado, grab your hook, yarn (& cup of tea) and lets start crocheting!!

For this pattern you will need –

• 100g Robin DK Yarn Shade Jaffa (63)
• 100g Robin DK Yarn Shade Apple (16)
• 4mm Crochet Hook
• Toy Stuffing
• Yarn Needle
• Stitch Marker (optional) 

This pattern uses UK TERMS and instead of a magic circle (yuck ha ha!!) we will use the chain method.  This Pumpkin is crocheted in the round.  You may want to use a stitch marker to place in your first stitch of each round so that you can keep your stitch count accurate.

To begin chain 2

Round 1 – 10 Double crochet (dc) into the first chain.

Round 2 – 2 double crochet (2dc) into each of the dc from the previous round (20 stitches).

Round 3 – dc into each stitch from round 2 (20 stitches)

Round 4 – 2dc into each stitch (40 stitches)

Round 5 to 8 – dc into each stitch (40 stitches in each round)

 

Round 9 – Double crochet 2 together (dc2tgr) all the way around (20 stitches).  If you are not sure how to do this stitch, find a helpful YouTube video at the end of the pattern.

Round 10 –  dc in each stitch (20 stitches).  Start adding some stuffing to your pumpkin.

Round 11 – dc2tgr all the way around (10 stitches). Add some more of the stuffing.

Round 12 – dc2tog all the way around (5 stitches) then dc into opposite stitch in order to close the hole. Tie off  your work leaving an extra long tail (40cm or more).

Thread your yarn needle to your long end. Insert your needle from the middle of the bottom of the pumpkin to the middle of top. Insert the needle from the middle of the bottom of the pumpkin to the top again and pull tight on the yarn (this will make your indentations) Continue this 8 times making the spaces even. Tie off.

For the leaves:

Using green yarn

To Begin – Chain 2

Round 1 – 8dc into first chain of the foundation chain and slip stitch into the first dc of the round to join.

Round 2: *chain 3, skip a stitch,  slip stitch (ss) into next stitch*  repeat * to * 4 times. Connect and tie off leaving a long end.

Sew onto the pumpkin and hide your ends.

Ta Da!!!!! You now have your very own Pumpkin!!  Let me know how you get on with your makes and feel free to share on Instagram, just use the hashtag #lexiespumpkin

For those of you who don’t know how to double crochet 2 together, heres a quick video.