Easy Chunky Knit Pumpkin Pattern (Free Beginner Fall Decor)
First Published: September 2023 | Updated: July 2026 | Skill Level: Beginner | Technique: Slip Stitch, Garter | Season: Fall
With the arrival of fall, a cozy knit pumpkin pattern is the perfect way to bring in the season without buying a single thing from the store. This easy chunky knit pumpkin pattern is beginner friendly from start to finish — a simple 4-row repeat worked flat on straight needles, so there’s no circular needles or tricky shaping to worry about. Cast on tonight, and you’ll have a pumpkin (or three) to set on your mantel by the weekend.
Why You’ll Love This Free Knit Pumpkin Pattern
- Truly beginner friendly. Just knit and slip stitches — no cables, no shaping, no circular needles.
- Works up fast. With bulky yarn and big needles, one small pumpkin can be made in an afternoon.
- Flat, not in the round. You knit a simple rectangle, then seam it — so it’s approachable even if you’ve never knit anything 3-dimensional before.
- Timeless, neutral result. In warm neutrals like Desert and Arrowwood, these pumpkins look at home in a farmhouse or a modern space.
- Completely free here. The Small size pattern is yours below, right on this page.
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At a Glance
| Skill Level | Beginner |
| Finished Size | Approx. 17″ circumference x 2.5″ height |
| Yarn Weight | Bulky (Size 5) or Super Bulky (Size 6) |
| Yardage | Approx. 137 yds per pumpkin |
| Needle Size | Size 15 (10mm) straight needles, 10″+ |
| Stitches Used | Knit, purl, slip stitch |
| Time to Complete | About 2 hours |
Supplies & Materials Needed
To make this chunky knit pumpkin, you’ll need:
Yarn
- 1 skein of Hue + Me yarn (size 5, 137 yds/skein) per pumpkin, or similar bulky weight
- Colors used: Desert, Arrowwood
- For a slightly bigger pumpkin, use Super Bulky (size 6) like Lion Brand Thick & Quick in Fisherman
Needles
- Size 15 (10mm) straight needles, at least 10″ long
Knitting Notions
Extras
- polyfill stuffing
- wood stems or wine corks (for pumpkin stems)
- hot glue gun
Knitting Abbreviations
BO – bind off
CO – cast on
K – knit stitch
P – purl stitch
sl – slip stitch from left needle to right, knitwise
sts – stitches
Rep – repeat
RS – Right Side
WS – Wrong Side
About This Pattern
I enjoy naming my patterns after New England places I love. These “Pepperell Pumpkins” are named after the western Massachusetts town of Pepperell. They’re chunky, autumn-hued, and just as at home in a country farmhouse as a modern space.
The easy knit pumpkin pattern for the Small size is below, free. Want more? The ad-free, printable PDF in my pattern shop includes step-by-step photos plus a Medium size pattern:
(The premium Ad-Free PDF can also be purchased on ETSY)
Free Knit Pumpkin Pattern
Gauge: 4″ (10cm) square = 12 sts by 20 rows in pattern. Gauge is not critical for this project.
You’ll make this pumpkin in four simple stages: knit the rectangle, seam the short ends into a tube, gather and stuff it, then close the top and add a stem.
With size 15 straight needles, CO 44 sts with size 5 yarn.
Pumpkin Rectangle
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2: *K1, sl 1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: K2, *sl 1, k1; rep from * to end.
Rep Rows 1-4 for a total of 24 rows.
Bind off knitwise.
Seam Short Ends to join
Cut 20″ tail from working yarn.
With RS together, use a tapestry needle to work a seam joining the two short ends together. Turn RS out.
Close up Bottom of Pumpkin
Using a tapestry needle, thread new yarn from skein through the bottom stitches of the pumpkin, using a running stitch.
Pull yarn to tighten, close gap with stitches, then secure yarn.
Stuff Pumpkin
Use polyfill stuffing to stuff the inside of your pumpkin. Be sure to stuff well, but not so much that the stuffing is popping through the stitch gaps.
Close up Top of Pumpkin
Using a tapestry needle, thread new yarn from skein through the top stitches of the pumpkin, using a running stitch.
Pull yarn to tighten, close gap with stitches, then secure yarn.
Make Indentations
Make indentations to pumpkin by threading skein yarn from the center bottom of pumpkin through the center top, then pulling it back down snugly over a side of the pumpkin and through the bottom —> top again.
Do this 4-8 times, depending on how many indentations you want.
Secure yarn ends and tuck them inside the pumpkin.
Add Stem
Lastly, hot glue a wood stem or wine cork to the center top to provide a pumpkin stem.
Tips for Knitting Your Pumpkin
- Leave a long tail when binding off — you’ll need it to seam the short ends.
- Don’t over-stuff; you don’t want stuffing peeking through the gaps.
- You may need a few extra back-and-forth stitches to fully close the gaps at top and bottom after tightening.
Finished size: The Small pumpkin measures approximately 17″ circumference by 2.5″ height.
How to Style Your Knit Pumpkins
These little pumpkins are made for cozy, low-key fall styling — no big display needed.
- On a mantel or shelf, cluster three or four in different neutral shades (Desert, Arrowwood, Fisherman) with a few dried leaves or pampas grass.
- On a nightstand or entry table, pair one pumpkin with a fall candle for a small, cozy vignette by the door or bed.
- In a bowl or basket, mix your knit pumpkins with real mini pumpkins for texture contrast — handmade next to natural.
- Down the center of a table, line up a few different sizes as a simple, no-fuss centerpiece that doesn’t compete with your dinnerware.
Because the yarn colors stay warm and neutral, these pumpkins slot into almost any fall decor — no need to match a specific theme.
Customize It
- Bigger pumpkins: swap in Super Bulky (size 6) yarn like Lion Brand Thick & Quick.
- More sizes: the Ad-free PDF includes a Medium size so you can build out a full “patch.”
- Color mix: Desert, Arrowwood, and Spicy from the Hue + Me line all read as warm, timeless neutrals — no need to stick to true orange.
Related Patterns You’ll Love
- Free Boho Table Runner Knitting Pattern | Chunky Lace with Fringe — the perfect base to line your pumpkins down for a cozy fall tablescape.
- Chunky Knit Pillow Cover Pattern {FREE!} — same chunky yarn, neutral-tone look for the rest of your fall living room.
- Knit Basket Pattern {FREE!} — nest a cluster of your finished pumpkins inside for an easy shelf or entryway display.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so satisfying about a handmade pile of pumpkins you can make in an afternoon. This free knit pumpkin pattern is quick, beginner-friendly, and gives you a cozy, neutral fall accent you’ll want to bring out every year.
Grab the ad-free, printable PDF with the Medium size and step-by-step photos in my pattern shop.
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