How to Make Yarn Pumpkins
These little yarn pumpkins will look sweet adorning your mantel throughout the fall! The pumpkins were the result of a crafting accident of sorts. I had thought of making pumpkins out of yarn pom-poms (I know, enough with the pom-pom crafts!!), but they didn’t turn out great. The round shape of the pom-pom didn’t feel very pumpkin-like. But in the midst of making the pom-pons, I noticed that they look quite a bit like squat little pumpkins right before you cut them into pom-poms!
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So pretty much these are unfinished pom-poms. You can make one in 5 minutes – here’s how!
Supplies for Yarn Pumpkin Craft
How to Make a DIY Yarn Pumpkin
If you’ve never made a pom-pom before, refer to my pom-pom tutorial for more detailed step-by-step instructions. Here’s the condensed version:
Step 1: Wrap yarn 120 times
Wrap yarn around four fingers (or a piece of cardboard as wide as your four fingers!) about 120 times or so.
Step 2: Wrap a piece of yarn around the middle
Cut a ~10 inch piece of yarn and stick it between your fingers to wrap it around the big yarn loop
Step 3: Tie the yarn tightly
Line up the piece of yarn in the middle of the yarn loop, and tie – pulling taut and wrapping around the backside as well.
Step 4: Add pipe cleaner stem
You now have your basic pumpkin shape. Cut a 2 inch piece of pipe cleaner and tie to the pumpkin using the two loose strands of yarn from Step 3. Don’t trim the strands yet!
Wrap the pipe cleaner around itself to form the stem.
Step 5: Form pumpkin shape
Pretty up your pumpkin by tucking in any loose loops.
How to Make a Yarn Pumpkin Garland
Step 6: Tie pumpkins to twine
Once again using the loose strings on the pumpkin to tie them around the twine. Space out each pumpkin 6 inches or so along the twine. Continue making pumpkins until you have enough for your yarn pumpkin garland!
I like to hang my pumpkin garland along the mantel or across the front of our kitchen island. These yarn pumpkins would also look cute as stand-alone yarn pumpkins scattered down the middle of your dining table or mixed in with some real mini pumpkins on the mantel as well!
Like this easy yarn pumpkin craft?
Then don’t miss these other easy fall craft ideas!
Yarn Pumpkins (PRINTABLE INSTRUCTIONS)
These sweet yarn pumpkins couldn't be easier to make and look so sweet strung into a garland for fall!
Materials
Instructions
- Wrap the orange yarn around a piece of cardboard that is 3 inches wide 120 times. Carefully slide the yarn off the cardboard.
- Take an 8 inch length of yarn and tie it around the middle of the wrapped yarn, pulling taught and double knotting it. Form your round pumpkin by pushing in any loose yarn loops.
- Cut a 2 inch piece of green pipe cleaner and tie it to the top of the yarn using the two loose ends.
- Twist the pipe cleaner into a stem.
- If you want, you can use the two loose ends of the yarn to tie the pumpkin to twine and create a garland. Trim the excess yarn.
Notes
These pumpkins look cute scattered on a table as part of your fall decor if you don't want to turn them into a garland!
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These are adorable! 😀 I can’t seem to make pom poms to save my life (they always come out lopsided or otherwise wonky) so this garland is a great way to get around that.
Haha, I can relate! As many pom-poms as I’ve made in my life, I still make plenty of wonky ones. 🙂 If you don’t have a pom-pom maker, those can help make more perfect pom-poms! Here’s a link to what I’m referring to: https://rstyle.me/+DWXLQrUT8KybWvjdrpmoeg. Regardless, I hope you try the pumpkin garland!
I HAVE SCROLLED ALL THE WAY DOWN
STILL CANNOT FIND THE YARN SINGLE THREAD PUMPKIN. WHERE IS IT???????
THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE CRAFTS AND COOKING. AND STILL, STILL CANNOT
FIND THEM. EVERYONE I SPEAK WITH
IS OF THE SAME OPINION!
Hi Mary Jane, I’m not sure what you’re referring to as the “yarn single thread pumpkin”. Please clarify as I’d love to help you find what you are looking for. I apologize for any confusion! – Haeley of Design Improvised
How many pumpkins can you make from one skein?
Thanks for your question, Adele. I would say around 20 or so pumpkins.
These are so adorable! Can’t wait to make these this weekend!
Very clever and cute!
Thanks Mona! Glad you liked the idea and hope you try making the pumpkins!
I’m thinking of adding these to wooden rings to use as napkin rings for Thanksgiving. Thanks for the great tutorial!
Great idea – that would look so cute!
About how many pumpkins did you get from one thing of yarn?
Hi Laura, I don’t remember for sure, but I’m guessing at least around 10 pumpkins, possibly more! I used some of this Super Saver yarn (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3FPW5z8
Such a cute simple craft. I’m going to do this with my Grand Children
hello and ty!! Does the center piece of yarn go all the way around pumpkin or thru the center of loop plz. thx again!
Hi Geri! It goes all the way around the pumpkin and then tied tight!