Yarn Pumpkins DIY: Easy No-Sew Fall Decor

Handmade yarn pumpkins in fall colors with cinnamon stick stems on a tray

Yarn pumpkins are soft, round pumpkins you make by wrapping yarn around a soft ball, then pulling in ridges with twine and adding a stick stem. They need no sewing and no carving. One pumpkin takes about 20 to 30 minutes once you have your supplies ready.

They are a sweet pick for fall because they last all season, they do not rot, and kids can help with the wrapping. You can make them in classic orange, or in cream, rust, sage and mustard for a softer look. Put a few on a tray and your table feels like fall right away.

What you will need

  • Chunky or medium yarn in your chosen colors, one ball makes 2 to 3 small pumpkins
  • Soft filling, like pillow stuffing, old clean socks, or tissue paper
  • Thin twine or strong thread for the ridges
  • Cinnamon sticks for stems, or small real twigs
  • Scissors
  • A large needle with a big eye, or a small crochet hook, optional but helpful
  • Hot glue gun or strong craft glue
  • Fake leaves, optional, for display
Balls of yarn in peach, mustard, rust and pink with gold scissors and wooden beads laid out as pumpkin making materials

If you are building a whole fall table on a budget, these pair well with dollar store fall crafts that use simple finds in a pretty way. Sites like The Crazy Craft Lady also share a lot of low cost fall ideas with dollar store items, which is handy if you want to make a full set for less.

How to make yarn pumpkins, step by step

  1. Make the soft center. Take a handful of stuffing and roll it into a ball about the size of a tennis ball for a small pumpkin, or a grapefruit for a larger one. Press it firm. If you use socks, roll them tight into a ball shape.
  2. Start wrapping. Hold the end of the yarn against the ball with your thumb. Wrap the yarn around the ball in all directions, turning the ball as you go. Keep the wraps close so the filling does not show through.
  3. Keep the shape round. Do not wrap in just one direction. Cross over the top, bottom and sides in a random pattern. Press the ball gently now and then to keep it round, not flat. Wrap until you can no longer see the filling. This usually takes a good few minutes of steady wrapping.
    4. A woman wrapping grey yarn around her fingers to build up the bundle that becomes the body of a yarn pumpkin
  4. Tuck the end in. Cut the yarn and tuck the tail under a few wraps with a needle or hook. Pull it snug so it does not come loose. Trim any extra bits that stick out.
  5. Shape the ridges. Cut a long piece of twine. Tie it around the middle of the ball and pull it in a little to make a dent. Turn the ball and tie again to divide it into sections, like the lines on a real pumpkin. Most pumpkins look good with 6 to 8 sections. Pull each line to the same depth so the shape looks even.
  6. Fix the top and bottom. The twine will meet at the top and bottom. Tie it off at the top and trim the ends short. If a section looks loose, add one more wrap of twine there.
  7. Add the stem. Put a dot of hot glue on the end of a cinnamon stick. Press it into the dent at the top of the pumpkin and hold it for a few seconds. It should sit a little tilted for a natural look. A short twig works the same way.
    8. A bundle of cinnamon sticks tied with twine, the simple natural material used for the stem of a yarn pumpkin
  8. Add a leaf if you like. Glue a small fake leaf next to the stem. You can also tie a tiny bow of twine around the stem.

How do you get neat ridges?

The trick is to pull slowly and evenly. If you pull one line much deeper than the others, the pumpkin will look lopsided. Work your way around twice. First make light dents all the way around, then go back and deepen them a little at a time. Press the center top down with your thumb as you tie, so the stem has a nice dip to sit in.

Two small red yarn pumpkins with deep neat ridges and twig stems held in a persons hands above a patterned rug

Best yarn and colors to use

Chunky yarn covers the filling faster and gives a cozy look. Medium yarn takes a bit longer but makes smoother, smaller pumpkins that are good for place settings. Cotton yarn gives a flat, matte finish. Acrylic yarn is cheap and comes in many colors.

Good color groups to try:

  • Classic: burnt orange, cream and brown
  • Soft: sage, cream and light mustard
  • Warm mix: rust, tan and deep green

If you enjoy yarn crafts in fall, you might also like a crochet pumpkin pattern for beginners for a different texture on the same tray.

Close up of yarn balls in warm fall shades of orange, red and variegated rust, ready for autumn pumpkin making

Display ideas for yarn pumpkins

  • Table center: Put 5 pumpkins in mixed sizes on a wood tray with fall leaves and a candle in the middle.
  • Mantel: Line up pumpkins in a row with a simple garland behind them.
  • Entry table: Place a small stack of two pumpkins next to a framed fall print or a bowl for keys.
  • Place settings: Make mini pumpkins and set one on each plate with a name card tied to the stem.
  • Gift topper: Tie a tiny yarn pumpkin to a wrapped gift or a jar of treats instead of a bow.

For more leaf and nature ideas that sit well next to yarn pumpkins, A Piece of Rainbow has a roundup of fall leaf crafts that use real leaves in simple ways.

A wicker basket holding three finished yarn pumpkins in rust orange and grey green with twig stems on a table

Tips for a good finish

  • Wrap tighter than you think you need to. Loose wraps slide and show gaps when you pull the ridges in.
  • Use the same twine color as your stem if you do not want the lines to stand out too much.
  • If the ball feels too soft, add more filling before you start the ridges. Once the twine is on, it is hard to fix.
  • Make pumpkins in odd numbers for display. Groups of 3 or 5 look better than even groups.
  • Store them in a box with tissue between them so they keep their shape for next year.
  • Keep real pumpkins and yarn pumpkins apart if you display both. Moisture from a real pumpkin can mark the yarn.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not cut the twine too short. You need enough length to go around the ball many times. Also, do not use very thin yarn for a large pumpkin, or you will be wrapping for a long time and the ridges will cut in too sharply. Last, add glue only at the stem. Too much glue on the yarn looks shiny and stiff.

FAQ

How long do yarn pumpkins last?

They can last for years if you store them dry and out of direct sun. Shake off dust with a soft brush each fall before you display them.

Can I make yarn pumpkins without stuffing?

Yes. You can wrap yarn around a foam ball or a rolled ball of old clean fabric. Stuffing gives the softest shape, but foam gives a very round, firm pumpkin.

What can I use instead of a cinnamon stick stem?

A small twig, a piece of cork, or a short stick of rolled brown paper all work. Cinnamon sticks are popular because they look like a real stem and smell nice.

Are yarn pumpkins safe around pets?

They are decor, not toys. Keep them out of reach if your pet likes to chew yarn, and check for loose twine or small glued parts.

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