This simple crochet pumpkin pattern is the universal base I use for the entire Lil Monsters Pumpkin Patch series — and the foundation for any costumed pumpkin you want to make. The trick? It starts as a simple flat rectangle that transforms into a plump round pumpkin with a few simple finishing steps. 🎃

Written for both knit and crochet — pick your craft. Once you’ve made one, every Lil Monster costume comes together easily because they all start from this same base. Beginner-friendly, works up in a single afternoon, and the technique is endlessly adaptable.

Happy Halloween!

Here is a quick summary….

About this simple crochet pumpkin pattern:

Use this pumpkin base for all the costume patterns. See the specific costume pattern for the matching yarn to work up the pumpkin.

Measurements:

The pumpkin base should measure approx. 15in wide by 6 in tall.

Materials

• Red Heart Super Saver yarn — comes in every color you’ll need across all 8 Lil Monsters costumes:
  • Pumpkin (orange) — base color for several costumes including Mummy and Bumble Bee
  • Black — for Spider, hat trims, ears, bolts, embroidery
  • Aran (off-white) — for Skull and Mummy wraps
  • Spring Green — for Frankenstein
  • Cherry Red — for Devil
  • Amethyst (purple) — for Witch
  • Orchid (pink) — for Kitty Cat inner ears
  • Coffee or Brown — for stumps
  • Bright Yellow — for Bumble Bee
• 6.0 mm crochet hook — crochet hook bundle here
• OR 6.0 mm knitting needles (for knit version)
• Polyfil stuffing
• Tapestry needle for seaming and assembly
• Scissors

Why this simple crochet pumpkin pattern works for any costume

The reason this pattern is so versatile is that it’s worked as a flat rectangle (about 15″ wide × 6″ tall) rather than in the round. That sounds counterintuitive — most amigurumi-style pumpkins are worked in continuous rounds with increases and decreases — but the flat rectangle method has some genuine advantages.

• It’s beginner-friendly. No counting decreases, no shaping anxiety. If you can crochet a simple rectangle, you can make this pumpkin.
• It’s customizable. Change the chain count to make a wider or narrower pumpkin. Add more rows for a taller one. The math is forgiving.
• It accepts color changes naturally. Want a Frankenstein with a green base and black hairline? Just switch yarn colors at the row of your choice. Want bumble bee stripes? Swap colors every two rows.
• It seams cleanly. The seam runs vertically up the back, completely hidden by the stump and any costume accessories.

Gauge: 

Crochet: 12SC and 14 rows = 4in 

Knit: 17sts and 23 rows = 4in

Abbreviations: 

Crochet: 

SC: Single crochet

DC: Double crochet

Ch: Chain

Sts : Stitches

Slst : Slip Stitch

Rnd: Round

Knit: 

K: knit

K2tog : knit 2 together

PATTERN:

Crochet: 

With pumpkin colour from the costume instructions, ch 43. 

Row 1: SC in 2^nd ch from hook to end, ch 1, turn (42 SCs)

Row 2-23: SC in 2^nd SC from hook to end, ch 1, turn (42 SCs)

Bind off, leaving a long tail to sew up seam. 

Stump: with Coffee, ch 4, join to first ch with a slst. Loop created.

Round 1: 6 SC within the loop created

Rnd 2: SC in back sts only (creating a ridge)

Rnd 3-7: SC around. 

Bind off and attach to the top of the pumpkin.

Knit: 

With pumpkin colour from the costume instructions, cast on 60 sts. 

Work pattern in garter stitch. 

Row 1-22: knit to end. 

Bind off, leaving a long tail to sew up seam.

Stump: with Coffee, cast on 5 sts

Row 1-6: knit  

Bind off and fold over and sew sides to create a tube. Attach to the top of the pumpkin.

Tips for the perfect pumpkin shape

• Stuff firmly but not aggressively. Polyfil should fill the pumpkin completely without warping the stitches. Give it a gentle squish — it should bounce back, not stay compressed.
• Pull the gathering yarn snug. When you cinch the top to form the round shape, pull tightly enough that the gather sits flush against the stuffing. A loose gather will leave a flat-topped pumpkin.
• Add the segment lines for extra dimension. Many makers love wrapping a length of matching yarn around the pumpkin from top to bottom in 4–6 places to create the classic pumpkin “ribs.” This is optional but makes the finished piece look more polished.
• Match yarn weight to the costume. The instructions are written for worsted weight (#4) Red Heart Super Saver. If you swap to bulky or DK weight, your finished size will change — that’s fine, just adjust the chain count proportionally.

Assembly:

These instructions are used for both knit and crochet patterns. Here is how we get it going…!

STEP 1 & 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 5 & 6:

Step 7:

Step 8:

Almost there!

Step 9 & 10:

Step 11 & 12:

Voila!

Here is a quick video to walk you through it!

Now use this technique to work up the Lil Monster Pumpkin Patch!

Make a coordinated patch with the costume patterns

Once you have the simple pumpkin base technique down, every costume in the Lil Monsters Pumpkin Patch comes together quickly. Each costume uses this exact same base — what changes is the yarn color, the accessories (ears, hat, horns, etc.), and the embroidered face details. Make one costume to start, then come back and add to your patch over time.

Or jump ahead to the Pumpkin COSTUMES:

You have a bunch to choose from. Click on the photo below to route to the exact one you’re looking for!