Project introduction
Off the Beaten Hook’s Halloween set brings together three textured pumpkins, a small witch hat, and a friendly ghost. The pumpkins can be made in solid colors or stripes, and the original design also shows a skeleton hand used as a stem for the large pumpkin. The web version is a free pattern supported by ads on the designer’s blog, and the ad-free printable PDF is a paid option sold through the designer’s Etsy shop. This article is a project overview, not a full crochet tutorial.
For the complete stitch directions and finishing details, follow the original designer’s pattern and instructions.
General Notes
The pattern uses US crochet terminology. The designer recommends reading the instructions before starting so you can get a sense of the project and its notes. If you need help with terminology, the source also points readers to a conversion chart in its Resource Library. The designer notes that the paid printable version in the Etsy shop includes in-the-making photos for each step. This overview summarizes the project and supplies, but it does not replace the designer’s directions.
Size & Gauge
The listed finished sizes are:
- Small pumpkin: 5 inches wide by 3.5 inches tall.
- Medium pumpkin: 8 inches wide by 5.5 inches tall.
- Large pumpkin: 10 inches wide by 7 inches tall.
- Ghost: 2.5 inches tall.
- Witch hat: 5.25 inches wide by 5 inches tall.
The stated gauge is 9 half double crochet stitches and 5 rows in a 4-inch square swatch. Gauge is not critical for these decorative pieces, since they do not need to fit a person or a specific space. The listed dimensions reflect the designer’s yarn and hook choices. Using a different yarn weight or hook can change the finished size, so consider the measurements as a guide when choosing which pieces suit your display.
Yarn & Stuffing
The designer used super bulky yarn for the pumpkins and invites makers to choose colors and fibers that suit their preferences. The source also describes using yarn from a stash. Keep in mind that using a weight other than super bulky will change the pumpkins’ finished sizes. The ghost can be lightly stuffed if desired to help it keep its rounded shape.
The Legal Stuff
Off the Beaten Hook states that the pattern, or parts of it, may not be reproduced, sold, distributed, or translated without authorization. The source permits selling finished items when Off the Beaten Hook is credited as the designer. Refer to the original page for the complete terms, and do not treat this overview as permission to reproduce pattern material.
Materials you will need
The checklist below collects the yarn and tools named in the source. Quantities and yarn amounts are reported as listed, not as estimates for substitutions. Scene decorations are noted separately from the crochet supplies.
- Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick, super bulky, 86% acrylic, 10% wool, and 4% rayon: one 106-yard Charcoal skein shared between the small and large pumpkins; one Wheat skein, with about 50 yards used from a 106-yard skein.
- MillaMia Naturally Soft Super Chunky, super bulky, 100% wool: one 55-yard skein in Sunshine and one 55-yard skein in Seagull.
- Lily Sugar ‘n Cream Solids, worsted, 100% cotton: one Ecru ball, with about 25 yards used from a 119-yard ball; one Black ball, with about 50 yards used from a 119-yard ball.
- Crochet hooks: 9.00 mm and 4.5 mm.
- Safety eyes: 9 mm. The source does not specify how many eyes or sets to buy. Other tools and supplies listed are a tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, and stuffing.
- For the pictured scene: a skeleton hand used as the large pumpkin stem, which the source notes was purchased from Joann Fabrics; a 16-inch full-body skeleton; and fuzzy spiders.
Abbreviations used in the spooky halloween pumpkin decoration crochet Pattern Overview
The source’s US terms include ch for chain, st for stitch, hk for hook, sl st for slip stitch, sc for single crochet, fhdc for foundation half double crochet, hdc for half double crochet, fphdc for front post half double crochet, and FLO for front loop only. Parentheses indicate repeated directions, while a number in square brackets gives the stitch total for a row or round.
The Pattern Overview
The project combines a ribbed pumpkin with two small decorations. The pumpkin starts as a rectangle worked in turning rows, which is joined into a tube, closed, stuffed, and shaped into sections. The hat and ghost are separate pieces worked in continuous rounds. Use the linked pattern for the actual stitch sequence and finishing directions.
Notes
The pumpkin fabric is formed from textured rows, and the design offers solid-color and striped options. The pumpkins use super bulky yarn and a 9.00 mm hook. Their starting stitch totals and the number of shaping sections vary by size. For stripes, the source says either of the two colors can be used to begin. It also notes that the turning chain does not count as a stitch. Check the designer’s instructions for the exact row sequence and size-specific details.
There is a notation issue to be aware of in the ghost directions: the second-round stitch total is shown as 12, but the opening bracket is missing from the source text. The number itself is visible, while the bracket formatting is incomplete. If a count seems unclear as you work, consult the original directions rather than guessing at a correction.
Seam the rectangle into a tube
The pumpkin rectangle’s short edges are brought together with the wrong side facing out and joined to form a tube. The ridged side is the right side. The source describes cinching the bottom first, then turning the tube right side out. Stuff the pumpkin before closing the top, leaving an opening for the chosen stem. The original instructions include the specific seaming and cinching details, including how to avoid excess fabric when gathering the ends.
Shape the pumpkin
After stuffing and closing the pumpkin, yarn and a tapestry needle are used to draw the form into distinct wedges. The strand runs down the outside of the pumpkin and is pulled through the bottom to create each section. The source specifies five sections for the small pumpkin, six for the medium, and eight for the large. This shaping emphasizes the ribbed fabric and gives the pumpkins their segmented outline.
Witch hat
The witch hat is worked in continuous rounds using black worsted-weight yarn and a 4.5 mm hook. Its shape starts narrow and widens to form the brim. The listed finished size is 5.25 inches wide by 5 inches tall. This section is a brief description rather than a round-by-round pattern, so use the source instructions for the complete sequence and finishing method.
Friendly ghost
The ghost uses white or off-white worsted-weight yarn, a 4.5 mm hook, and 9 mm safety eyes. It is worked in continuous rounds without joining each round. The source places the eyes between rounds seven and eight, with three stitches between them, and says light stuffing is optional. At 2.5 inches tall, it makes a small accent alongside the pumpkins and hat.
For another seasonal crochet overview, see Tapestry Crochet Pumpkin Potholder: Pattern Overview.
