Easy Crochet Bernat Cottage Pumpkin: 5 Easy Fall Decor Ideas

There is something undeniably satisfying about holding a finished amigurumi project that looks as dimensional and textural as this Bernat Cottage Crochet Pumpkin. It is cute, useful, and incredibly giftable, offering a cozy, rustic charm that instantly signals the arrival of fall. The soft, squishy feel of the yarn combined with the distinct, raised ridges makes this piece display-worthy on any mantel or shelf. It is a tidy, manageable project that rewards the maker with a professional-looking decor item that feels handmade and heartfelt.

Why the Finished Piece Stands Out

What truly makes this pumpkin stand out is the unique construction method and the specific yarn choice. Unlike many amigurumi patterns that are worked in continuous rounds, this piece is crocheted flat in one long strip. This technique allows for the creation of dramatic, three-dimensional ridges using alternating sections of back-loop single crochet and wider double crochet sections. As you work, the piece naturally begins to ripple and puff, creating a dynamic texture that is visually striking.

The Bernat Cottage yarn is the perfect partner for this design. Its soft, marled colors and rustic, country-home aesthetic highlight the texture beautifully. Because the yarn features beautiful color transitions, no two pumpkins will look exactly alike; the color shifts will fall differently depending on where they occur in your skein. Whether you choose a soft neutral like Almond or a brighter shade from the line, the resulting pumpkin will have a unique, artisanal quality that elevates simple fall decor.

Project Overview

This amigurumi pumpkin is designed to be a quick and satisfying home decor project. It utilizes a bulky weight yarn to work up quickly while still achieving a substantial, high-quality finish. The construction is surprisingly simple: you crochet a long rectangular strip, join the ends to form a tube, and then cinch the top and bottom closed to create the classic pumpkin shape. The result is a plump, five-ridged pumpkin that is perfect for autumn styling.

Materials

• Yarn: Bernat Cottage Yarn – 1 skein. (The author used color Almond, but the line includes brighter and more colorful shades).
• Hook: Size I (5.5 mm) crochet hook.
• Stuffing: Polyfil fiber stuffing.
• Tools: Tapestry needle, Scissors.
• Stem: Faux pumpkin stem.
• Adhesive: Hot glue or E6000 (for securing the stem).

Gauge and Finished Size

Finished Size: Approximately 8 inches tall (not including stem) x 11 inches wide x 28 inches round.

Yarn Usage: Approximately 123 grams (about 144 yards) are used for one pumpkin, leaving plenty of yarn leftover from the skein.

Abbreviations

Note: Standard US crochet terms are used.

• SC: Single Crochet
• DC: Double Crochet
• SC Decrease: Single Crochet Decrease
• Chain: Chain
• Turn: Turn work

Pattern Notes

This pumpkin is crocheted flat in one long strip. Alternating sections of back-loop single crochet and wider double crochet sections create the raised pumpkin ridges. Your piece will naturally begin to ripple and puff as you crochet, and that is exactly what you want! Once the ends are joined, the bottom and top are cinched closed to create the pumpkin shape.

Pattern Instructions

Base and Ridges

Foundation: Chain 21, SC in second chain from hook and in each chain across. Chain 1, turn. (20 SC)

Rows 2-4: Working in back loops only, SC in each stitch across. Chain 1, turn. (20 SC)

Row 5: At the end of Row 4, chain 2 and turn. Working in back loops only, *2 DC in first stitch, DC in next stitch; repeat from * across. Chain 2, turn. (30 DC)

Rows 6-8: Working in both loops, DC in each stitch across. Chain 2, turn. (30 DC)

Row 9: At the end of Row 8, chain 1 and turn. Working in back loops only, *SC Decrease, SC in next stitch; repeat from * across. Chain 1, turn. (20 SC)

Rows 10-12: Working in back loops only, SC in each stitch across. Chain 1, turn. (20 SC)

Repeat Rows 5-12: Repeat Rows 5-12 three more times for the Pumpkin Ridges.

Rows 37-40: Repeat Rows 5-8. (30 DC)

Row 41: At the end of Row 40, chain 1 and turn. Repeat Row 9. (20 SC)

You now have five raised pumpkin sections.

Assembly

Joining the Strip

Do not fasten off. Bring the two edges of the crocheted strip together. The final row has 20 stitches, matching the 20 stitches at the beginning of the piece. Slip stitch the final row to Row 1 to form a tube. Be sure you are joining to the stitches of Row 1 and not into the original foundation chain. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for finishing.

Closing the Bottom

Once you have slip stitched the two ends of your pumpkin strip together, fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. You will cinch both the bottom and top of the pumpkin closed, working one end at a time.

1. Start with the end closest to your yarn tail. This will become the bottom of the pumpkin.
2. Thread the yarn tail onto a tapestry needle. It is easiest to cinch the opening closed in two steps:
3. Step 1: Sew through the recessed single crochet sections. Work your needle under about two stitches of one SC section, then reach behind the raised section and work under about two stitches of the next SC section. Continue around the entire opening. Pull the yarn firmly to begin drawing the center closed.
4. Step 2: Work around the opening again, this time catching the edges of the raised pumpkin sections. Pull firmly as you go until the opening is completely cinched closed.
5. Secure the yarn, but do not cut it yet.

Stuffing and Closing the Top

1. Stuff the pumpkin generously with poly-fil. Be sure to push stuffing out into each of the five raised pumpkin sections so they stay full and rounded.
2. Bring your long strand of yarn up through the center of the stuffed pumpkin and out through the top opening. If your remaining yarn tail isn’t long enough, simply attach a new long strand of yarn.
3. Repeat the same two-step cinching process on the top: first gather the recessed single crochet sections, then gather the raised sections.
4. Before pulling the top completely closed, add your faux pumpkin stem.
5. Position the stem in the center and secure it with hot glue or E6000.
6. Once the stem is in place, pull the remaining stitches tightly around it to close the opening. Secure your yarn and weave in the end.

Tips

• Cinching Firmly: Don’t be afraid to pull the yarn firmly while cinching! The tighter you gather the top and bottom, the more defined those five pumpkin sections will become.
• Color Choices: Bernat Cottage comes in a pretty mix of soft neutrals, warm oranges, pinks, purples, and blues. A few pumpkins in different colorways would make the prettiest little fall collection.
• Stem Sourcing: The faux pumpkin stems used in this project are made by a small business called Your Heart’s Content. Supporting handmade makers adds a special touch to your decor.

FAQs

What type of yarn is best for this pumpkin?

The pattern specifically calls for Bernat Cottage Yarn, a #5 bulky weight, 100% acrylic yarn with a soft, squishy feel and beautiful color transitions. Its rustic look and texture are ideal for creating the raised ridges.

How do I create the pumpkin ridges?

The ridges are created by alternating sections of back-loop single crochet (which creates recessed lines) and wider double crochet sections (which create raised bumps). You work these sections in rows, turning your work at the end of each row.

Do I need to fasten off after finishing the rows?

No, you should not fasten off after completing the final row of the strip. You will join the two edges of the strip together with slip stitches to form a tube before fastening off to leave a tail for assembly.

How do I close the top and bottom of the pumpkin?

You cinch the openings closed using a two-step sewing process. First, sew through the recessed single crochet sections to gather the center. Then, sew around the opening again, catching the edges of the raised sections to pull everything tight. This creates the classic pumpkin shape.

Can I use a different yarn if I don’t have Bernat Cottage?

While Bernat Cottage is recommended for its specific texture and color transitions, you can use a similar bulky weight yarn. Keep in mind that the final size and the prominence of the ridges may vary depending on the yarn’s weight and stitch definition.