This jack-o’-lantern stands approximately 5 inches tall and is suitable for all crocheters. I hope you enjoy this pattern, and if you post pictures, please hashtag #laurajaworski & tag me @bugburrypond I can see & share your creations.
You can find all of my free crochet patterns here.
Happy crocheting & Happy Halloween! 🎃
Skill Level: Easy
Size:
The large jack-o’-lantern stands approximately 5 inches tall when made with a size 4 hook and worstedweight yarn.
For the smaller jack-o'-lantern, see the Sweet Little Pumpkin Free Crochet Pattern 🎃
Supplies:
Worsted weight yarn (orange, brown, black)
4.0 mm hook
Needle for sewing
Extra-long needle (optional but recommended)
Polyester or other stuffing
Stitch marker, safety pin, or small piece of yarn to count rounds
Scissors
Hot glue (optional)
Push pins (optional)
Black felt (optional)
Abbreviations:
MC = Magic circle
St = Stitch
Sc = Single crochet stitch
2tog = Crochet two together, also known as decrease (invisible decrease preferred)
Ss = Slip stitch
Rep = Repeat
Ch1 = Chain one
BLO = Back loop only
RS = Right side (the front side of your work)
F/o = Finish off
A note about the magic circle:
Also known as a magic loop or magic ring. If you prefer not to use a magic circle, simply create a slip knot, chain two, and begin by placing your first round of stitches into the first chain. Pull tightly on your tail to close the gap and continue with the pattern as written. Once you have worked a few more rounds, weave your yarn tail back and forth on the underside to secure your piece and close any remaining gap.
A note about working in a spiral vs. joined rounds:
The pumpkin portion of this jack-o’-lantern is worked in a spiral which means that each round continues into the next without a slip stitch and chain.
A note about counting stitches:
Using a stitch marker, safety pin, or small piece of yarn to mark the first stitch of each round will help you track your progress. Move the marker as you complete each round.
A note about BLO:
For the back loop only round, you will work all of your stitches into the back loop of each stitch. For all other rounds, work into both loops of each stitch.
A note about gauge:
The size of your jack-o’-lantern will be determined by a number of factors; your hook, the yarn you’ve chosen, and even how tightly or loosely you crochet can significantly change the size of your work.
Click here for The Pumpkin Pie Free Crochet Pattern 🎃
A note about reading the pattern:
Before beginning a pattern, it helps to read through the abbreviations list. If you need help with a technique, refer to a written or video tutorial, or keep a crochet book handy. Below is a round from the pattern, followed by a detailed description of the instructions.
Rnd 4: 2sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (24)
Beginning round four, add one single crochet into each of the next two stitches. Add two single crochet stitches in the following stitch. Repeat the pattern of one single crochet in each of the next two stitches followed by an increase until you reach the end of round four. There should be 24 stitches in your completed round.
A note about the standing single crochet stitch:
To complete a standing single crochet stitch, begin by placing a slip knot on your hook. Insert your hook into the stitch space, yarn over & pull up a loop, yarn over again & pull through both loops on your hook to complete the stitch.
Now let’s get started!
Pumpkin (beginning at the bottom, with orange yarn):
Rnd 1: MC with 6sc (6)
Rnd 2: 2sc in each st (12)
Rnd 3: 1sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (18)
Rnd 4: 2sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (24)
Rnd 5: 3sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (30)
Rnd 6: 4sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (36)
Rnd 7: 5sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (42)
Rnd 8: 6sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (48)
Rnd 9: 7sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (54)
Rnd 10: 8sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (60)
Rnd 11: 9sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (66)
Rnd 12: 10sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (72)
Rnd 13: 11sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (78)
Rnd 14-29: 1sc in each st (78)
Rnd 30: 11sc then 2tog, rep (72)
Rnd 31: 10sc then 2tog, rep (66)
Rnd 32: 9sc then 2tog, rep (60)
Rnd 33: 8sc then 2tog, rep (54)
Rnd 34: 7sc then 2tog, rep (48)
Rnd 35: 6sc then 2tog, rep (42)
(Begin stuffing your pumpkin; you can continue stuffing as you close. Stuff firmly but not so firmly that it stretches the stitches.)
Rnd 36: 5sc then 2tog, rep (36)
Rnd 37: 4sc then 2tog, rep (30)
Rnd 38: 3sc then 2tog, rep (24)
Rnd 39: 2sc then 2tog, rep (18)
Rnd 40: 1sc then 2tog (12)
Rnd 41: 2tog x 6 (6)
F/o, leaving an extra-long tail for sewing. Weave the tail around the front loops of the six remaining stitches and pull to close; knot to secure.
You will now cinch the top middle of your pumpkin to the bottom middle of your pumpkin (see photos). Using a long needle, bring the yarn tail from the top center of your pumpkin to the bottom center of your pumpkin and pull tightly, cinching to your desired shape. Next, insert your needle one stitch over from the bottom center and loop the yarn tail from the bottom center back up to the top center, pulling tightly. Repeat this step until your pumpkin is cinched and well secured. Bring your yarn tail out of a stitch on the bottom of the pumpkin; do not snip.
Pumpkin Stem (beginning at the top, with brown yarn):
Rnd 1: MC with 6sc (6)
Rnd 2: 2sc in each st (12)
Rnd 3: 1sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (18)
Snip your yarn & f/o using the invisible finish technique; weave your yarn tails on the back of your piece to secure. Next, attach your brown yarn to the back loop of the first stitch of rnd 3 with a standing single crochet stitch (see pattern notes) & continue as follows:
Rnd 4: BLO 1sc in each remaining st (18)
Rnd 5-9: 1sc in each st (18)
F/o, leaving an extra-long tail for sewing.
Note: if you prefer not to use a standing single crochet stitch, you can attach your yarn to the back loop of the first stitch of rnd 3 with a ch1 & continue with the pattern as written.
You can also go straight from rnd 3 to rnd 4 (with or without a ch1 between rounds, depending on your preference) without snipping your yarn. Just keep in mind that the transition will create a slight dip in your work.
Eyes (with black yarn, make two):
Row 1: Ch2, 2sc in the back bump of the 1st chain (2)
Row 2: Ch1 & turn, 2sc in the 1st st, sc (3)
Row 3: Ch1 & turn, sc, 2sc in the next st, sc (4)
Row 4: Ch1 & turn, sc, 2sc in the next st, 2sc (5)
Snip your yarn & f/o.
You will now add a border to your eye (see photos):
Working on the RS of your work, attach your black yarn to the middle stitch of row 4. Ch1 & sc in the same st, 2sc (which will take you to the end of the row), then ch2.
Working down the rough side of the left edge: 4sc
Working into the triangle point (the first ch in row1): Sc, ch2, sc
Working up the rough side of the right edge: 4sc, ch2
Working into row 4: 2sc
Snip your yarn & f/o using the invisible finish technique. Weave your yarn tails on the back of your piece to cover any noticeable gaps, being careful not to warp the triangular shape. Finger block your eyes into shape. Note: the last row of your border will be the bottom of the eye when placed on your pumpkin.
Mouth (with black yarn):
(Note: the ch2 does not count as a stitch when crocheting the mouth)
Round 1: MC, ch2, 6dc into the MC (6)
Round 2: Ch2 & turn, 2dc in each st (12)
Round 3: Ch2 & turn, *1dc, 2dc in the next st*, rep (18)
Ch1, then complete your mouth by adding a row of 12sc across the top straight edge, followed by a ch1 (see photos). As there are no workable stitches along this edge, add your stitches wherever you can comfortably fit your hook. Snip your yarn & f/o using the invisible finish technique. Note: to complete the invisible finish technique, work into the stitches along the curved edge of your pumpkin, finishing in your ch1 space. Finger block your mouth into shape.
Alternately, you can use black felt to create the eyes & mouth for your jack-o'-lantern, cutting the shapes that you like and hot gluing them to your pumpkin.
Completing Your Jack-O’-Lantern:
Attaching the stem:
Stuff your stem just enough to hold its shape, making sure not to overstuff. Add a small amount of stuffing to the indent in the top center of your pumpkin, then pin the stem in place. Sew your stem to the pumpkin. When your stem is attached nicely, bring your brown yarn tail out of the same stitch as your orange tail. Knot the two tails together, then hide them in the body of your pumpkin.
Alternatively, follow the below method to attach your stem:
After stuffing and pinning your stem into place, tack the first side of your stem down by bringing your brown yarn tail through the body of your pumpkin and out of a stitch on the bottom. Bring the yarn tail through the same stitch, then up through a stitch on the opposite side of your stem. Continue working your way around the stem in this manner, sewing across one stitch of the stem, out through a random stitch in the bottom of the pumpkin, up through the same stitch, then back up to the next stitch of your stem. When your stem is attached nicely, bring your yarn tail out of the same stitch as your orange tail. Knot the two tails together, then hide them in the body of your pumpkin.
Adding the eyes & mouth:
Pin your eyes & mouth into place & stitch them to your pumpkin. When your eyes and mouth are nicely attached, bring your yarn tails out of the same stitch on the bottom of your jack-o’-lantern. Knot the tails together, then hide them in the body of your pumpkin. Alternatively, create your face using black felt & hot glue.
Complete your jack-o’-lantern by gently finger blocking the overall shape.
Click here for all of my free crochet patterns.
And now you’re done! I hope you enjoy this jack-o’-lantern & if you post pictures, please hashtag #laurajaworski & tag me @bugburrypond so I can share your work! You can find me @bugburrypond on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me.
Happy crocheting and have a beautiful day 💕
Laura
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Copyright © 2022 Laura Jaworski, The Happy Jack-O’-Lantern Free Crochet Pattern.
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