Basic Pumpkin

I often like to use a very basic pattern to start a new project.  I think if you have a jumping off point, you can get creative from there and really make something your own.  With Fall and Halloween just around the corner, here is a basic pumpkin pattern.

Basic Pumpkin

Materials:

*I Hook

*Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Pumpkin and Spring Green

*Scissors

*Poly-Fill or grocery bags (of other filler material of your choice)

*Notes:

Special Stitches used: DCdec=Double Crochet Decrease

-Instructions for DCdec: YO and insert hook into stitch.  YO and pull through 1 loop.  YO and pull through 2 loops.  YO and insert hook into next stitch.  YO and pull through 1 loop.  YO and pull through 2 loops.  YO and pull through remaining 3 loops. 

Start with Pumpkin.

Make a Magic Circle, or Ch 4 and sl st into first chain made. Ch 2.

R1: 8 DC in center.  Sl st in first DC.  Ch 2.

R2: 2 DC in each stitch.  Sl st in first DC.  Ch 2.

R3: *2 DC in next stitch, 1 DC in following stitch* Continue to end of round.  Sl st in first DC.  Ch 2.

R4: *2 DC in next stitch, 1 DC in next 2 stitches* Continue to end of round.  Sl st in first DC.  Ch 2.

R5-10:DC in each stitch around.  Sl st in first DC.  Ch 2.

R11-14: DCdec in next 2 stitches.  DC to end of round.  Sl st in first DC.  Ch 2.

R15: Dcdec to last stitch.  DC in last stitch.  Sl st in first DC.  Fill with Poly-Fill or other filler material.

R16: Change color to Spring Green.  Ch 2.  DCdec around.  Sl st in first DC.  Ch 2.

R17: DC around.  Sl st in first DC.  Tie off and hide ends.

I used grocery bags to fill my pumpkin and I am able to pull a grocery bag out of the stem of the pumpkin.  If you do not want this small hole at the top, simply sl st across the stitches after DCing around in R17.