How to Make Mini Yarn Pumpkins

I have the cutest little project I came up with, and I am excited to share it with you!

If you like decorating for Fall with pumpkins, gourds, and squash, then this project is perfect for you.

I will start by showing you how to make this cute round pumpkin.

Then find my tips for other shapes near the end of this post.

First, gather your supplies for this project.

SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED:

• Yarn in your choice of colors. (For the pumpkin I picked orange, and brown for the stem.)
• Matching thread and a needle
• Circle and/or oblong wooden beads with large hole centers
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

Thread your yarn needle with the main color you choose. You may cut your yarn about 4-5 feet long. Usually I just pull a bunch of yarn through the bead, but leave it connected to the yarn skein until I am nearly done wrapping my bead. Do what you feel is best. If you cut it too short, just add another section of yarn, hiding the end inside the hole. No one will know, so don't worry about how much yarn you begin with. The amount of yarn you actually need will depend upon the thickness of your yarn, as well as the size of your bead. 

Feed your yarn-threaded needle through the hole of the bead.

Begin wrapping the yarn up through the bead, down the outside of the bead, and back up through the hole. Repeat this step until your bead is covered.

You may notice spaces between the yarn as you are wrapping. Just fill in those gaps with yarn as you go along, or fill it in as the final step. I've done it both ways, and it turns out great with both methods.

Continue until your bead is fully covered.

Cut off excess yarn, leaving a tail (as shown below).

Next you will add your stem. Using your thread, stitch the stem color yarn to the yarn-tail you left sticking up on your pumpkin.

I usually loop my stem yarn back down to the pumpkin base, and stitch again with my thread to secure it.

Now start wrapping your stem yarn around the yarn-tail you created, circling it completely.

Wrap your stem color around until you reach the top of the yarn-tail. Then wrap back down to the pumpkin base and cut off any extra stem yarn.

Stitch the base of the stem with your thread. Be sure to go through some of the pumpkin color to help secure the stem in place. I also stitch throughout the entire stem so it stays together.

Once it seems like it has been sewn enough that it won't unravel, you may knot and cut off the extra thread.

Now you have the cutest little pumpkin in the entire pumpkin patch. Great job!

Decorate your house with your creations.

These also make great gifts!

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If you want to make a squash shape, use an oblong bead and follow my tips below.

Wrap the lower third section of the outside of the oblong bead with yarn horizontally, as shown.

Next begin wrapping vertically, and continue by following the same steps you used above for making the pumpkin. (Also adding a stem.)

Your finished squash should look like this!

If you'd like to make a tall pumpkin, use an oblong bead with the original pumpkin method. It should end up looking like this:

I used thick blanket-yarn for mine, and it is adorable!

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Thank you for looking at my new project design. I hope you try it out!
Please follow my Facebook page for more ideas (Priceless Handmade Gifts).
Oh, and while you are here, please check out my other handmade designs on this website.
- Alice, Handmade Designer and Small Business Owner

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