Oh My Gourd

Oh My Gourd! So many possibilities! Go fancy, go scary, go monochromatic or multicolored. Mix and match your beads, or explore one size, type, or style. Make in worsted or fingering weight yarn. Beads will help your pumpkin hold its gourd shape with light stuffing. Use more stuffing for a traditionally shaped round pumpkin.

Skills Needed: Working in the round, kfb and kfbf increases, k2tog and centered double decreases,

beading. 

Measurements, approximate (these will vary depending on amount of fiberfill used):

In Worsted Weight: Diameter: 7 in [18 cm]; Height:  9 in [23 cm].

In Fingering Weight: Diameter: 5 in [13 cm]; Height:  4 in [10 cm].

Needles: 

For Worsted Weight: US size 5 (3.75 mm) double pointed needles and 16 in. (40 cm) circular needles.

For Fingering Weight: US size 1 (2.25 mm) double pointed needles and 16 in. (40 cm) circular needles.

Gauge:  Gauge is not important for this pattern except that it is worked at a tighter gauge than normal so the fiberfill does not show through fabric.

Beads: 500 small (3 or 4 mm) beads, 100 large (8-10 mm) beads. If beading tendrils: 72 small beads for each small tendril; 90 small beads for each large tendril.

Other Materials: Beginning-of-round stitch marker, additional stitch markers if desired, small tapestry needle, 1 bag (16 oz.) polyester fiberfill (you will not need the entire bag), crochet hook for large beads (must be smaller than the hole in the beads), small sewing needle (must fit through hole in small beads) and thread (any color).

Construction

Pumpkin is worked bottom up, starting with a striped base. The body is created with a series of beads knitted into the fabric. The small beads are loaded onto the yarn and then knit into the fabric, using knits through the back loop to keep the beads on the front side of the fabric. The large beads are placed onto the existing stitch with a crochet hook and the stitch slipped onto the RHN, then knit through the back loop on the next round. Finally, through the use of central double decreases, a crown is made. A small stem is knit on and the pumpkin is complete. If desired, beaded or non-beaded tendrils may be added.