Halloween

Greetings, everyone! I’m pleased to announce that Spidey is now live! You can find him in my Payhip and Etsy shops, and soon on LoveCrafts. Use the coupon code SPIDEY on Payhip, Etsy, or here on the website for 20% off until Halloween.

Spidey is an enjoyable, spooky knit. He’s created through the use of two-color twisted stitches, along with some unusual stitches like cluster stitches and a k5tog (instructions included) that emphasize the three-dimensional qualities of the motif. You can actually stuff the spider’s abdomen! Fun and creepy, this pumpkin will be a great addition to your fall décor. (I did actually have a dream about spiders while designing this pumpkin!)

While it is written for two colors, this pumpkin can also be knit in a single color, since the spider is 3-D. Be sure to allow for enough yardage if making this option. I think the design would be great knit in natural to create a “ghost” pumpkin.

This pattern provides a chart for the spider section of the pumpkin. The instructions for that section are also written out line-by-line. These instructions are provided at the end of the pattern and need not be printed if one is using the chart.

Skills Needed: Working in the round, reading colorwork charts (line-by-line instructions for the charted sections are also included), knitting through the back loop, yarnovers, kfb, m1 and m1p increases, k2tog, ssk, p2tog and p2tog tbl decreases, twisted stitches, and i-cord (instructions included).

Measurements, approximate (These will vary depending on amount of fiberfill used):
Circumference: 33 in [84 cm]; diameter: 10.5 in [27 cm]; height: 7 in [18 cm].

Yarn:
MC: 300 yds [275 m] Manos Del Uruguay Alegria (Fingering; 75% Merino Superwash/25% Polyamide; 445yds/100 g) in Cusco.

CC: 125 yds [115 m] Malabrigo Sock (Fingering; 100% Superwash Merino Wool; 440 yds/100 g) in Black.

Stem: 30 yds [27m] Yama Yarn Merino Linen Singles (Fingering; 90% South African Merino/10% Linen; 394 yds/100 g) in Terre Verte BG.

Needles:
Base of Pumpkin, Crown, and Stem: US size 2 (2.75 mm) double pointed needles and 16 in. (40 cm) circular needle.

Colorwork Section of Pumpkin: US size 3 (3.25 mm) 24 in. (60 cm) circular needle.

Gauge: 33.5 sts and 32 rnds = 4″ [10 cm] in charted pattern st on larger needles. This pattern is worked at a tighter gauge than normal so the fiberfill does not show through fabric.

Other Materials: Stitch markers if desired, small tapestry needle, tape measure, 1 bag (16 oz.) polyester fiberfill (you will not need the entire bag).

Spidey is, of course, Pumpkin-a-Long eligible. As a reminder, there are weekly pattern prizes for participation and a drawing for some great prizes at the end (US Thanksgiving) to be chosen from among finished pumpkin projects. The deets are here: The 2021 Pumpkin-A-Long (PAL).

Thank you all, and I hope you have as much fun knitting Spidey as I did designing him!

Pumpkins forever!

xoxo

Carol

I’m thrilled to announce my newest pattern, Large Colorwork Pumpkins! Inspired by a love of all things Fall and an enduring love of colorwork, this softee pattern is just pure fun to knit and creates a lovely work of art. One pattern, four motifs. There is also an optional top that makes more of an oblong pumpkin.

This pumpkin is pretty much life-sized, about 12 by 12 inches, depending on which motif you choose and how much stuffing you use.

Knit using worsted weight yarn on size 5 needles, you will need about 200 yds each of two contrasting colors and some scrap yarn for the tendrils. You will also need fiberfill – my favorite after making three of these is Cluster Stuff by Morning Glory.

And the button! While the button is optional, I think it really adds personality to each pumpkin. This button came straight out of Mom’s button tin, and I think it was perfect!

This button is a ceramic button from One of a Kind Buttons. Her buttons are fabulous!

Within the pattern are instructions for the various increases, decreases and i-cord. However, the pattern does presume that you have a working knowledge of colorwork and working in the round.

Here is Ravelry user cascott’s Haunted Village pumpkin. Isn’t it adorable? I love how she staged it with her homegrown real pumpkins! I have added more detail to the Haunted Village motif since this pumpkin was knitted.

For even more options, you can knit this pattern using sock yarn and smaller needles – I would suggest US Size 1 or 2. This pumpkin ended up being about 6 or 7 inches in diameter.