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I used a space-dyed red yarn that I got last year from a Ravelry swap. I really like the way it came out. For whatever reason, it seems to have made the sweater look more “real”. Perhaps its the contrast with the regular yarn of the dog’s body. I used blanket stitch embroidery around his eye patch to make it stand out. I finished him off with an egglplant-colored scarf. He looks so cozy.

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Take advantage of this now so that you’ll have plenty of time to make these up for holiday gifts. They’re super quick and easy, so you’ll be able to stuff everyone’s stockings with time to spare.

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Autumn Leaves, California

So it may not be “officially” autumn for another week or so, but I for one can’t wait! I’ve heard people say that we don’t have seasons in California, but we do. They are more subtle, but are every bit as enjoyable as anywhere else. To celebrate the changing season, I’d like to share a pattern for making a crochet pumpkin.

This pumpkin is made in spiral rounds (like amigurumi), using the same techniques as my “Increasingly Evenly” tutorial. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, a super bulky wool/acrylic blend with a size “L” (8mm) crochet hook. The finished project is 7″ across and 9″ tall.

Pumpkin

AmyGurumi Pumpkin

Rnd 1 – Work 6 sc into magic ring or chain start. Pull ring closed
Rnd 2-8 – Increase evenly to 48 sts.
Rnd 9-14 – Work even (48 sts).
Rnd 15-21 – Decrease evenly to 6 sts; work in ends and begin stuffing when you have 18 sts left. Fasten off leaving long tail. Use tail to catch the front loop of each stitch and pull the remaining circle closed.

Stem

Rnd 1 – Work 4 sc into magic ring or chain start. Pull ring closed.
Rnd 2 – Work 2 sc into each st around (8 sts).
Rnd 3-7 – Work even (8 sts).
Rnd 8 – [Sc into next st; ch 5; sc in each ch; sl st] repeat around. To make fewer points around, sl st instead. You can also vary the number of chains to create a more uneven, “natural” look.

Vine

Ch 20. Sl st in each ch; fasten off.

This is a simple project that can you can use as a starting point for many variations. Try increasing to a greater number of stitches before working even if you’d like a larger pumpkin. For a taller pumpkin, work even for more rounds.

You can also achieve a different look by using the same pattern with a worsted weight yarn. Keep in mind that your pumpkin will be much smaller unless you increase the number of stitches.

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• I wanted the ends of the hair to look a bit tangled, so I chose Berrocco Comfort (yellow yarn in picture). Berrocco Comfort is a nylon/acrylic blend, and is similar to Lion Brand’s Microspun. Take care when crocheting with this style of yarn; it tends to split. It’s great, however, for applications like this where a bit of unraveling is desirable.
• I also wanted the suggestion of seaweed and some color contrast. I used Lion Brand’s Fun Fur (blue yarn in picture). This eyelash yarn is great for accents like hair, but can be very frustrating to use as the primary yarn for an amigurumi project.
• To get the look, cut a strand of either yarn to the desired length (about 4 inches, here). Insert your crochet hook into the head of the finished doll just under the post of the stitch where you want the strand of hair to be. Go under one side of the post and come up on the other side. Bend the strand of hair yarn in half (forming a “U” shape), and hook the yarn. Pull it under the post. Bring the ends of the hair yarn through the “U” (on top of the post) and pull. You’re essentially creating a slipknot.
• Continue looping strands of yarn in this manner over the head. Alternate between the microspun and eyelash yarns. For a very dense look (like mine), place a hair strand on every post in the hair area. For a less dense, more realistic look, try every other post or even every third post.

For more information about working with eyelash yarns, see these tips from PlanetJune.

For more information about creating amigurumi hair, see this tutorial from MyGurumi.

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Please leave your comment here at amygurumi.com, not on a syndication service that provides commenting. Don’t worry if you don’t see your comment immediately; first-time commenters have their posts held for moderation. I’ll be sure that everything is approved before the drawing happens.

Terms: Entries must be received by 8:00 a.m. on July 6 and must include a valid email address. Winner will be chosen randomly from valid entries. Prize is one PDF pattern file; no cash value. Prize not redeemable for cash; void where prohibited.

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