DIY Yarn Pumpkins
I absolutely love how these yarn pumpkins turned out! Who knew that a cheap foam pumpkin from the dollar store could become so chic?! These DIY yarn pumpkins are so easy to make with a simple wrapping technique – no glue needed, and no sewing or knitting skills required. They’re so easy that even the kids can help make them! This yarn pumpkin craft is a great alternative to expensive store bought decor. Plus I feel like decorations you’ve made yourself are extra special and fun to display!
Check out our Chunky Yarn Pumpkin video tutorial:
*Note: Scroll down for the step-by-step photo tutorial.
Tree Stump Pumpkins Yarn Pumpkins using Balloons Tissue Paper Pumpkin Favours
Here’s what you’ll need:
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Foam pumpkin Apple corer Chunky yarn Yarn needle Pruning shears 2 inch stick from the garden
What type of yarn should I use?
You want to use a yarn that is at least bulky weight (#5). For our chunky yarn pumpkins we used two “Charisma Yarns” and one “Cozy Wool”, all of which we found at Michaels. The Charisma Yarns we used were taupe (J6) and cream tweed (J46; note: this link is for the white instead of cream). The Cozy Wool was harvest colour (02628). You can also use thicker yarn, like a chunky chenille or a faux fur yarn.
How many pumpkins can you make from 1 skein of yarn?
It will all depend on the size of your pumpkin, but you should be able to make at least 5 medium size (3-1/4 inch diameter, 3 inches tall) pumpkins from one regular skein of yarn.
Can I make one without a foam pumpkin?
If you don’t have a foam pumpkin you can use a styrofoam ball and cut a slice off the top and bottom. You can also cut a 3 inch section off of a pool noodle and taper the top to look pumpkin like. Some people have even put yarn around bubble wrap or made “donuts” out of fabric to wind yarn around.
What size of hole do I need in my foam pumpkin?
The apple corer that we used makes a 3/4 inch hole in the pumpkin. This was fine for our small (2 inch diameter, 1-1/2 inches tall) and medium sized (3-1/4 inch diameter, 3 inches tall) pumpkins – though it was tight for the “harvest” coloured yarn to fit in the medium size. You definitely need a larger hole than you think – with our large pumpkins I still used the apple corer, but then cut the hole bigger with a utility knife so the hole was at least half the diameter of the pumpkin. The hole size will vary based on the pumpkin size and yarn used. It’s a bit of trial and error to see what works with the supplies you have. It’s better to have a larger hole, since you can always add more yarn – whereas if the hole is too small and you run out of room, you basically have to start over again (not that I’m speaking from experience or anything…).
Chunky yarn adds cozy style to dollar store pumpkins. Making a chunky yarn pumpkin is such a fun way to keep your hands busy while watching TV – and you’ll end up with chic autumn decor at the end of your episode!
Here’s even more awesome pumpkin crafts:
Tree Stump Pumpkins
Yarn Pumpkins using Balloons
Tissue Paper Pumpkin Favours
Our book Low-Mess Crafts for Kids is loaded with 72 fun and simple craft ideas for kids! The projects are fun, easy and most importantly low-mess, so the clean up is simple!
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