Autumn Harvest Pumpkin
Hello Lovelies!
School is quickly approaching and I know every parent has been struggling with the many decisions they have to make.
I can’t tell you how many hours and days I have thought about what the right decision is for my children. I have been sick to my stomach, brought to tears, anxious and I have flip flopped so many times on what to do. It’s exhausting.
With the information changing constantly, me needing to have control of this situation and not having all my questions answered is exhausting and heartbreaking.
I don’t know a single parent who is taking the decision lightly and they are weighing out all the options.
How do you cope with stress?
There is not one parent that has decided to put their children in school to make them an “experiment” and sending them to their death. (Yes, people have said this).
There is not one parent who has decided to keep their children in distance learning or home school that is bubble wrapping or hindering their growth and living in fear. Some kids thrive on distance learning, others do not.
Some parents have the resources to support at distance learning, others do not. Some children are struggling greatly with being at home and others are completely fine with it.
You don’t know all the reasons why another has made the choices they did and you don’t get to know them either. You don’t have to justify your decision.
Let’s show more compassion and understanding!
2020 has been hard enough. Whatever your choices are, I support you and respect that decision. We all come from different walks of life so one decision isn’t going to fit everyone. Please be kind.
While running through all the decisions I must make for my family, my stress is at an all time high. So, I do what I do best – Crochet!!
Crocheting lets me unwind and calm down. It helps me work through the anxiety and it helps me to think rationally and logical.
This is how the Autumn Harvest Pumpkin came to be and I hope it can help you while you make it as it helped me.
PATTERN - Autumn Harvest Pumpkin
What you need:
3.75 mm crochet hook (or hook to obtain gauge). Any worsted weight (4) yarn. I used Vanna’s Choice and ILTY. Between 100 – 200 yards
Measuring tape
Scissors
Tapestry needle
Gauge with 3.75 mm hook:
Gauge isn’t important. Just keep your stitches tight.
Size: 2 sizes
Stitches you will be working with:
CH: Chain
DC: Double Crochet
SC: Single Crochet
SLST: Slip Stitch
ST: Stitches
Notes: Written in US terminology. All CH 1 do not count as a stitch. You can use any 4-weight yarn. When you are switching colours, you can carry the yarn from the previous row rather than cutting your yarn each row. You will work your stitches over the carried strand of yarn.
Pattern for large pumpkin : 3.75 mm hook
With main colour : CH 36
Row 1 : SC in the second CH from the hook, [DC in next ST, SC in next ST] 17 times, turn. (35 STS)
With accent colour :
Row 2 : CH 1, DC in next ST, [SC in next ST, DC in next ST] 17 times, turn. (35 STS)
With main colour :
Row 3 : CH 1, SC in next ST, [DC in next ST, SC in next ST] 17 times, turn. (35 STS)
Repeat rows 2 and 3 for rows 4 – 44.
Row 45 : Fold your piece in half SLST your last row to your first row, fasten off and leave a long tail to close the bottom of your pumpkin. Turn your piece inside out so that the SLST seam is inside your work.
Pattern for small pumpkin : 3.75 mm hook
With main colour : CH 30
Row 1 : SC in the second CH from the hook, [DC in next ST, SC in next ST] 14 times, turn. (29 STS)
With accent colour :
Row 2 : CH 1, DC in next ST, [SC in next ST, DC in next ST] 14 times, turn. (29 STS)
With main colour :
Row 3 : CH 1, SC in next ST, [DC in next ST, SC in next ST] 14 times, turn. (29 STS)
Repeat rows 2 and 3 for rows 4 – 38.
Row 39 : Fold your piece in half SLST your last row to your first row, fasten off and leave a long tail to close the bottom of your pumpkin. Turn your piece inside out so that the SLST seam is inside your work.
Pumpkin Stump : 3.75 mm hook
With Brown Yarn : CH 16
Row 1 : SC in the 2nd CH from the hook, SC in the next 14 STS, turn. (15 STS)
Row 2 : CH 1, SC across, turn. (15 STS)
Row 3 : CH 1, SC across. (15 STS)
Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew.
How cute are these little leaf tags from Idaho Taylor Made
Closing / Finishing Your Pumpkin
- Using the tail and tapestry needle, weave your tail through every second row of the edge of your work. Cinch it tight and whip stitch the hole fully closed. Fasten off and weave in ends.
- Stuff your pumpkin but not too firm or it will make it difficult to shape.
- Attach a long piece of yarn about 2 arm lengths long to the open edge and repeat #1 instructions but do not weave in ends.
- Once your piece is cinched and whip stitched, take your yarn tail and wrap it around the pumpkin until it meets where you started. Pull it tight to make the indent around the pumpkin, secure it with a whip stitch.
- Rotate your pumpkin and repeat #4 until you have the desired amount of indents on your pumpkin. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
- Fold ST 1 to ST 15 of your stump together. Using your long tail, sew the ends together. Position the stump on the top of your pumpkin and sew it to the pumpkin with the remaining yarn tail. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
- Now you can add any accessories you would like.
There you have it!
You have made your very own Autumn Harvest Pumpkin.
If you want a printed version of this pattern, click on over to my Ravelry site here where you can buy and download instantly.
I love to see your finished items, so feel free to use #autumnharvestpumpkin when you are posting your photos, so I can admire your work!
The photographs and pattern contained in the document are the property of A Knotty Habit Designs. You may not reproduce, redistribute, or share this pattern. You may sell your finished items but please give credit to A Knotty Habit Designs.
Waylynn Sunglasses Case
8 Comments
Kristy
Danielle, thank you for so beautifully putting into words how those of us with school age children are thinking/feeling. As parents, we only want what’s best for our children. This year has definitely been a challenge on many levels. Like you, I crochet to help relieve stress. Thank you for another beautiful pattern. Fall is my favorite season, and I’m going all out for decorations this year!
Danielle Arseniuk
Thank you, I really just want people to see that this is so hard every direction you turn. We can all use some grace and compassion right now.
You are welcome. Fall is also my favourite season. There is something about all the colours.
Linetta Liberto
I’m not a parent of school age children but I have a 4 year old granddaughter. I know that her parents had to make this decision as well, I don’t envy any of you. I’m only sorry that y’all had to decide something like this. Bless all of you, you’re in my prayers. Also, beautiful pumpkins!!
Danielle Arseniuk
It was a decision we took very seriously and one of the hardest decisions I have had to make recently. I feel for every parent having to make this decision and I hope that parents know that whatever decision they make, it’s the right one for their family.
Thank you! I am loving pumpkins right now!
Darlene
I love these. They’re beautiful. What colors did you use for the pumpkins that have alternating white? I love that color palate.
Danielle Arseniuk
Thank you so much! The variegated yarn is Yarn Bee Dazzling – Sunburst and I am unsure what the light cream is.
Jenette
These pumpkins are adorable. When making the rows should I be working the SC into the top of the previous row’s DC (and the DC into the top of the previous row’s SC)? TYIA
Danielle Arseniuk
Thank you so much! Yes, you are correct!