Knitted Pumpkins (pattern included)

I volunteered to make some knitted pumpkins for a fundraiser.  I've had to hone some skills for these.   First was needing to make I-cord for stems.  I've always found I-cord a pain to make.   If I'd had a spare wooden thread spool, I would have just pounded 4 finishing nails into and made a corking contraption, like we made as kids.   Sadly, thread only comes on plastic spools now, so that was out.   After some experiments, I went out and purchase short double point needles, which work much better.   I still don't "like" making I-cord, but at least it's fairly quick now.     It took me a few tries to get the stem length right.

Interestingly I've found out that  the pumpkin stem is called a peduncle.

The pumpkins themselves are made mainly from scraps of handspun, with a  bunch of dyed leftovers.   I was told that they didn't care what colour the pumpkins were.

I had to actually learn to crochet properly.  I've crocheted for ages, but didn't really like it better than knitting.   I'm still pretty sure I wouldn't crochet a sweater, but the leaves are my reward for making the I-cord, since they are quick and fun to make.  I realize they are more like an apple leaf than a pumpkin leaf, but I haven't figured out a pattern for a pumpkin leaf yet, that isn't complicated.

I now have 15 of these things made. I make the stem first, then the leaf.   Lastly I make the body, gather and stuff it and sew on the bits.  It seems to be the fastest way to make them.   This is my evening " hubby is watching the telly" activity.  On a good night I can make a couple.  My record is 3 completed pumpkins.  Mainly though I'm happy with 1 completed pumpkin and maybe a start on another.

The pattern is simple-

Cast on 36 or any reasonable multiple of 3 stitches on 3 double point needles.   36 stitches makes a small pumpkin.  If you want a larger one, cast on a few more stitches, but always a multiple of 3.   

Sometimes I put a marker on after the first stitch. If you don't mind having to check or knit half a row after you think you've ended, you can tell the starting point by the yarn tail that is hanging.   

I knit 24 or 25 rows or so.  If you've put on more stitches, you'll need to knit more rows.

Cut off a long thread, about a yard, or just under a meter.   Thread a darning needle, or tapestry needle onto the long thread.   Move the stitches from the needles onto the thread.  Pull tightly, slip the needle through the live stitches again, secure with a few stitches, and knot.   Thread the needle through the centre point of the gathered stitches, so the thread and needle are hanging from the outside.  

Pull a puff of fibrefil, that is larger than you think you need and stuff it in the now cup shaped pumpkin.  Push the needle through the centre of the pumpkin and fibrefil to the open top.  Start gathering the edge of the pumpkin.  (This is the cast on edge)  As long as you don't have too large a gathering stitch, it doesn't really matter if you do every other stitch, every couple.   They should be even though.    

Now pull them tight.  Again, run your thread through the edge of the gathers to pull them tight.  I add a few extra stitches, making the stitches that show tiny  and larger under neath.  Knot.

Thread the long thread from the centre top, through to the centre bottom and back to the top.  Pull to squish the pumpkin down a bit.   Again secure the thread with few small stitches, knot and weave the end in.

Stem: - 

3 or 4 thread I-cord.  When casting on, leave an end long enough to stitch the stem on to the pumpkin. - Knit 1 inch or so.   Secure the live stitches by running the working thread through them and knot, weaving the end in.   Then using the long cast on tail, secure it with small stitches to the centre top of the pumpkin.

Leaf - (american terms)

 Crochet a chain 6 stitches long.   Slip stitch the live stitch to the first stitch.   

Chain 2,  double  crochet 5x 

Chain 3, slip stitch the live stitch to the first chain of the 3

Double crochet 5X

chain 2

Slip stitch the chain to the starting point of the original chain.

Close the centre hole with the cast on end.

stitch to the pumpkin with the other end.

weave in the threads

You need to put the stem on.   You don't have to bother with the leaf if you don't want.  They look just fine without it.