How to Make Yarn Pumpkins

Yarn pumpkin garland

These little yarn pumpkins will look sweet adorning your mantel throughout the fall! The pumpkins were the result of a crafting accident of sorts. I had thought of making pumpkins out of yarn pom-poms (I know, enough with the pom-pom crafts!!), but they didn’t turn out great. The round shape of the pom-pom didn’t feel very pumpkin-like. But in the midst of making the pom-pons, I noticed that they look quite a bit like squat little pumpkins right before you cut them into pom-poms!

Hands holding a fall pumpkin garland

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So pretty much these are unfinished pom-poms. You can make one in 5 minutes – here’s how!

Supplies for Yarn Pumpkin Craft

How to Make a DIY Yarn Pumpkin

If you’ve never made a pom-pom before, refer to my pom-pom tutorial for more detailed step-by-step instructions. Here’s the condensed version:

Step 1: Wrap yarn 120 times

Wrap yarn around four fingers (or a piece of cardboard as wide as your four fingers!) about 120 times or so.

How to wrap yarn around your hand

Step 2: Wrap a piece of yarn around the middle

Cut a ~10 inch piece of yarn and stick it between your fingers to wrap it around the big yarn loop

How to add a piece of yarn across the middle of the wrapped yarn

Step 3: Tie the yarn tightly

Line up the piece of yarn in the middle of the yarn loop, and tie – pulling taut and wrapping around the backside as well.

How to tie a knot to cinch in the middle of the yarn ball

Step 4: Add pipe cleaner stem

You now have your basic pumpkin shape. Cut a 2 inch piece of pipe cleaner and tie to the pumpkin using the two loose strands of yarn from Step 3. Don’t trim the strands yet!

How to make yarn pumpkins - just like making a pom-pom!
How to add a pipe cleaner stem to the yarn pumpkin

Wrap the pipe cleaner around itself to form the stem.

How to make yarn pumpkins - just like making a pom-pom!

Step 5: Form pumpkin shape

Pretty up your pumpkin by tucking in any loose loops.

How to form the yarn pumpkin

A completed yarn pumpkin

How to Make a Yarn Pumpkin Garland

Step 6: Tie pumpkins to twine

Once again using the loose strings on the pumpkin to tie them around the twine. Space out each pumpkin 6 inches or so along the twine. Continue making pumpkins until you have enough for your yarn pumpkin garland!

How to tie yarn pumpkins to a garland

I like to hang my pumpkin garland along the mantel or across the front of our kitchen island. These yarn pumpkins would also look cute as stand-alone yarn pumpkins scattered down the middle of your dining table or mixed in with some real mini pumpkins on the mantel as well!

Easy DIY Yarn Pumpkins

Like this easy yarn pumpkin craft?

Then don’t miss these other easy fall craft ideas!

Fall Craft Ideas from Design Improvised

Yarn pumpkins with pipe cleaner stem
Yield: 10

Yarn Pumpkins (PRINTABLE INSTRUCTIONS)

Active Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour
Estimated Cost: $10

These sweet yarn pumpkins couldn't be easier to make and look so sweet strung into a garland for fall!

Instructions

  1. Wrap the orange yarn around a piece of cardboard that is 3 inches wide 120 times. Carefully slide the yarn off the cardboard.
  2. Take an 8 inch length of yarn and tie it around the middle of the wrapped yarn, pulling taught and double knotting it. Form your round pumpkin by pushing in any loose yarn loops.
  3. Cut a 2 inch piece of green pipe cleaner and tie it to the top of the yarn using the two loose ends.
  4. Twist the pipe cleaner into a stem.
  5. If you want, you can use the two loose ends of the yarn to tie the pumpkin to twine and create a garland. Trim the excess yarn.

Notes

These pumpkins look cute scattered on a table as part of your fall decor if you don't want to turn them into a garland!

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21 Comments

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  3. These are adorable! 😀 I can’t seem to make pom poms to save my life (they always come out lopsided or otherwise wonky) so this garland is a great way to get around that.

    1. Haha, I can relate! As many pom-poms as I’ve made in my life, I still make plenty of wonky ones. 🙂 If you don’t have a pom-pom maker, those can help make more perfect pom-poms! Here’s a link to what I’m referring to: https://rstyle.me/+DWXLQrUT8KybWvjdrpmoeg. Regardless, I hope you try the pumpkin garland!

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  6. I HAVE SCROLLED ALL THE WAY DOWN
    STILL CANNOT FIND THE YARN SINGLE THREAD PUMPKIN. WHERE IS IT???????
    THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE CRAFTS AND COOKING. AND STILL, STILL CANNOT
    FIND THEM. EVERYONE I SPEAK WITH
    IS OF THE SAME OPINION!

    1. Hi Mary Jane, I’m not sure what you’re referring to as the “yarn single thread pumpkin”. Please clarify as I’d love to help you find what you are looking for. I apologize for any confusion! – Haeley of Design Improvised

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  8. I’m thinking of adding these to wooden rings to use as napkin rings for Thanksgiving. Thanks for the great tutorial!

  9. hello and ty!! Does the center piece of yarn go all the way around pumpkin or thru the center of loop plz. thx again!

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