I found myself digging through my stash bin, looking for that perfect balance of spooky and sweet, when I decided to pull out my Red Heart Super Saver in Carrot and Cafe Latte. It wasn’t just about making a pumpkin; it was about capturing that squishy, comforting texture of a fresh dumpling while weaving in a bit of Halloween magic. The decision to use these specific fibers gave the project an intentional, tactile feel that just begged to be squeezed, leading to a collection that is as much about the yarn choice as it is about the characters.
Yarn and Color Notes
One of the joys of this project is how the yarn choice defines the personality of each dumpling. For the classic Pumpkin, the Carrot and Cafe Latte combination creates a warm, autumnal vibe that feels right at home on a fall mantel. The Black Cat dumpling relies on the deep contrast of Black yarn with Lavender Purple ears, allowing the bright green safety eyes to pop with personality. For the Frankenstein character, the Spring Green base paired with the Black yarn creates a distinct, jagged hairline that brings the monster to life. Finally, the Ghost dumpling utilizes Red Heart Super Glow yarn in Lunar White, which looks innocent in daylight but transforms into a glowing green surprise when the lights go out. These color decisions aren’t just aesthetic; they help differentiate the characters while keeping the base shape consistent.
Project Overview
This Halloween Dumplings Set features four adorable amigurumi characters: a Pumpkin, a Black Cat, Frankenstein, and an Ultra Rare Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost. All four characters share the same basic dumpling shape, which is designed to fit perfectly inside plastic dumpling steamer baskets (optional). The project is a great way to use up small amounts of yarn and experiment with different facial features and embellishments.
Materials
- Red Heart Super Saver Yarn: Carrot, Spring Green, Cafe Latte, Black, and Lavender Purple.
- Red Heart Super Glow Yarn: Lunar White (for the Ghost).
- Crochet Hook: Size H (5.0 mm). Note: You may need to go up a hook size if using the Super Glow yarn.
- Stuffing: Poly-fil fiber stuffing.
- Notions: Tapestry needle, safety eyes and noses (sizes vary by character), and a small amount of black yarn for embroidered smiles.
- Optional: Plastic dumpling steamer baskets.
Gauge and Finished Size
The finished dumplings are approximately 4 inches wide. There is no specific gauge requirement, but ensure your tension is consistent to maintain the shape. The plastic containers these fit into typically measure approximately 4 inches wide by 2 inches tall.
Abbreviations
- SC = Single Crochet
- HDC = Half Double Crochet
- DC = Double Crochet
- SC Decrease = Single Crochet Decrease
- Ch = Chain
- St = Stitch
Pattern Notes
This pattern uses the same basic dumpling shape for all four characters. You will follow the basic instructions below and then refer to the specific character sections for color changes and facial details.
Important: Choose your safety eyes and nose before starting. Each character has unique facial features. For example, the Black Cat uses green safety eyes and a pink safety nose, while the Ghost uses black safety eyes and an oval safety eye for its mouth. Safety eyes and noses must be attached before closing and stuffing your dumpling. You will add them after completing Round 11.
Yarn Note: Red Heart Super Glow is slightly thicker and slicker than regular Red Heart Super Saver. If you find yourself pulling your stitches too tightly, do not overcompensate by tightening your tension. You may want to go up a hook size if needed.
Pattern Instructions
Basic Crochet Dumpling Pattern
Starting with your main yarn color:
Round 1: Magic ring, Ch 1, make 10 SC in ring, join, Ch 1. (10 SC)
Round 2: 2 SC in each stitch around, join, Ch 1. (20 SC)
Round 3: 2 SC in first stitch, SC in next stitch, repeat around, join, Ch 1. (30 SC)
Round 4: 2 SC in first stitch, SC in next 2 stitches, repeat around, join, Ch 1. (40 SC)
Rounds 5–9: SC in each stitch around, join, Ch 1. (40 SC)
Round 10: SC Decrease, SC in next 2 stitches, repeat around, join, Ch 1. (30 SC)
Round 11: SC in each stitch around, join, Ch 1. (30 SC)
Adding the Face
Time to add your dumpling’s face! Refer to your chosen Halloween character for the correct safety eyes, nose, and facial details. Insert the safety eyes and nose now, securing the backs on the inside of your dumpling before continuing. Most dumplings use 9mm safety eyes between Rounds 8 and 9, approximately 4 stitches apart. Use a tapestry needle and black yarn to embroider a tiny smile. You can also embroider any smiles at this point, or wait until the dumpling is finished.
Once your facial features are in place, add Poly-fil stuffing and continue with Round 12. Stuff with Poly-fil, but don’t overstuff! You want to keep that soft, squishy dumpling shape.
Finishing the Body
Round 12: SC Decrease, SC in next stitch, repeat around, join, Ch 1. (20 SC)
Round 13: SC in each stitch around, join, Ch 1. (20 SC)
Round 14: SC Decrease all the way around, join, Ch 1. (10 SC)
Round 15: SC in each stitch around, join, fasten off, leaving a long tail. (10 SC)
Using a tapestry needle and the long yarn tail, weave underneath the stitches of Round 15 and pull to cinch the top closed. This creates the classic pinched dumpling top! Weave in ends securely.
Pumpkin Dumpling
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Carrot, Cafe Latte, and Spring Green.
Follow the basic dumpling pattern using Carrot yarn until the final round.
Pumpkin Stem: Change to Cafe Latte for Round 15 and work one additional round of 10 SC in brown (Round 16). Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Cinch the top closed as directed in the original pattern to create a little brown pumpkin stem.
Pumpkin Vine: With Spring Green yarn, Ch 10. Work 2 SC in the second chain from hook and 2 SC in each remaining chain. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Attach the curly green vine to the side of the brown stem.
Frankenstein Dumpling
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Spring Green and Black.
Begin the basic dumpling pattern in Spring Green. At Round 11, change to Black yarn. Alternate one regular SC with one elongated SC worked into the stitch directly below the next stitch. Continue alternating around the round to create a jagged black hairline. Finish the remaining rounds of the dumpling in Black yarn. Add black safety eyes and a sweet embroidered smile.
Tip: When making the elongated stitches, reach down into the previous round so the black stitches extend into the green section. This gives Frankenstein his signature uneven hairline!
Black Cat Dumpling
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Black and Lavender Purple.
Work the entire basic dumpling pattern using Black yarn. For the face, use bright green safety eyes and a little pink safety nose. These colorful features really stand out against the black yarn!
Crochet Cat Ears (Make 2)
Starting with Lavender Purple yarn:
Ch 4. SC in second chain from hook, HDC in next chain, DC in last chain. Join Black yarn and turn. SC along one side of the ear, make 2 SC at the top point, then SC down the opposite side, leaving the bottom edge unworked. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Make two ears and stitch them securely onto the top of the dumpling, positioning one ear behind and to the side of each eye. Those little purple ear centers and green eyes give this black cat so much personality!
Ultra Rare Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost Dumpling
Yarn: Red Heart Super Glow in Lunar White.
This ghost looks like an adorable white ghost in daylight, but when the lights go out, it glows a fun green color! For the face, add two small black safety eyes and an oval black safety eye for the open mouth. It’s the perfect little surprised ghost expression!
Assembly
- Insert the safety eyes and nose now, securing the backs on the inside of your dumpling before continuing.
- Most dumplings use 9mm safety eyes between Rounds 8 and 9, approximately 4 stitches apart.
- Use a tapestry needle and black yarn to embroider a tiny smile. You can also embroider any smiles at this point, or wait until the dumpling is finished.
- Once your facial features are in place, add Poly-fil stuffing and continue with Round 12. Stuff with Poly-fil, but don’t overstuff! You want to keep that soft, squishy dumpling shape.
- Using a tapestry needle and the long yarn tail, weave underneath the stitches of Round 15 and pull to cinch the top closed. This creates the classic pinched dumpling top!
- Weave in ends securely.
- For the Pumpkin, attach the curly green vine to the side of the brown stem.
- For the Black Cat, make two ears and stitch them securely onto the top of the dumpling, positioning one ear behind and to the side of each eye.
Tips
When making the elongated stitches for Frankenstein, reach down into the previous round so the black stitches extend into the green section. This gives Frankenstein his signature uneven hairline! If you are looking for more Halloween inspiration, you might also enjoy our adorable crochet Halloween bat pattern for more spooky-cute ideas.
FAQs
What size safety eyes should I use?
Most dumplings use 9mm safety eyes, placed between Rounds 8 and 9, approximately 4 stitches apart. However, always check the specific character instructions for variations.
Can I use a different yarn?
Yes, you can use any worsted weight yarn. However, note that Red Heart Super Glow is slightly thicker and slicker than regular Super Saver, so you may need to adjust your hook size.
How do I make the Frankenstein hairline?
In Round 11, change to Black yarn and alternate one regular SC with one elongated SC worked into the stitch directly below the next stitch. This creates the jagged, uneven look.
Do the dumplings fit in the plastic baskets?
Yes, the finished dumplings are approximately 4 inches wide, which fits perfectly into the RMS brand viral squishy dumpling plastic containers (approximately 4 inches wide by 2 inches tall).
What if I don’t have safety eyes?
You can embroider the eyes and nose using yarn instead. The pattern includes instructions for embroidering a tiny smile using black yarn.
Where can I find the plastic dumpling containers?
The containers pictured are from the RMS brand, found at Five Below and Walmart. Similar plastic dumpling containers are also available on Amazon.
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