Pick-pocketed Pumpkin Pattern

The one thing I love about being a rogue in-game is the ability to pickpocket. There are so many fun, little junk items that really add that extra hint of specialness to this game. One of my favorite “pickpocket-ables” is A Jack-o’-Lantern, which is also the inspiration for this knitting pattern.


As you can see, this pumpkin is pretty small – it’ll fit in your pocket!

This little Jack-o’-Lantern will knit up quickly. And, this pattern is flexible enough to knit with any yarn and needles, so, a larger pumpkin could be made from this, if desired. It’s also knit on straight needles – perfect for those leery of knitting with small, fiddly double pointed needles!

How to Make this Pumpkin

Materials

  • Any type of yarn, and any amount (depending on the size). I used a fine weighted cotton yarn that I had laying around.
     
  • Any straight needles to obtain the correct gauge for your yarn. I used US size 3 needles (3.25 mm) for my yarn.
     
  • Black embroidery floss (if you want to stitch a face on your pumpkin).
     
  • A small amount of a green yarn for stem.
     
  • Tapestry needle.

Abbreviation List

  • CO = cast on yarn, preferably long tail cast on.
  • St(s) = stitch(es).
  • K = Knit (K1 = knit one, K2 = knit 2, and so on).
  • P = Purl (P1= purl one, and so on).
  • KFB = Knit front to back, an increase.
  • K2tog, (K3tog) = Knit 2 (3) stitches together, a decrease.

Let’s Knit!
This pattern works the base in first, and then moves up along the sides.

CO 6 sts

~Base~
Row 1: K across
Row 2: K across
Row 3: KFB into each st. (12 sts)
Row 4: K across
Row 5: KFB into each st. (24 sts)
Row 6: K across
Row 7: (KFB, K1) repeat across. (36 sts)

~Side and Top~
Row 8: K6, P1, K8, P1, K6, P1, K8, P1, K3, P1
Row 9: K1, P3, K1, P8, K1, P6, K1, P8, K1, P6

Repeat Rows 8 and 9 four more times, then start the decreasing rows below –

Row 10: K4, K2tog, P1, K4, K2tog, K2, P1, K4, K2tog, P1, K4, K2tog, K2, P1, K1, K2tog, P1 (31 sts)

Row 11: K1, P2, K1, P7, K1, P5, K1, P7, K1, P5

Row 12: K2tog, K2tog, K1, P1, K2tog, K2tog, K2tog, K1, P1, K2tog, K2tog, K1, P1, K2tog, K2tog, K2tog, K1, P1, K2tog, P1 (20 sts)

Row 13: K1, P1, K1, P4, K1, P3, K1, P4, K1, P3

Row 14: K3tog, P1, K3tog, K1, P1, K3tog, P1, K3tog, K1 K3tog (10 sts)

    Your knitting should look something like this before finishing the pumpkin. You can see where the sides and base fold from each other.

~Finishing~
Cut the knitting yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread a tapestry needle onto the tail, and thread the yarn through the remaining stitches on the needle. Cinch the pumpkin closed.

I found it easier to stitch my pumpkin’s face at this point while it was not sewn up. You can choose to stitch a scary face, like the icon on the Jack-o’-Lantern item, a cute one, or even a silly face from the carved pumpkins found in-game during Hallow’s End. Or…just leave it a “fall time” pumpkin with no face…it’s really all up to you.

Once the face is, or is not stitched, finish the pumpkin by sewing the base and sides together. I left the yarn I cinched the top of the pumpkin alone, and used an additional piece of yarn to sew the sides together. Once those were sewn up, I stuffed the pumpkin with fiberfill. This made it easier to match up the base line, which I sewed up with the CO yarn tail.

With the yarn that was used to cinch the pumpkin closed, I made a few gathering stitches around the top, and then poked the yarn down into the pumpkin and out the base, pulling tightly as I tied off that yarn. This made a cute little dimple at the top of the pumpkin.

    For the stem, I just used a slightly heavier weighted yarn and thread it at the top of the pumpkin. Then I made 3 to 4 consecutive knots to resemble a stem. This will work fine for petite pumpkins, but, for larger ones, I would opt to make a short I-cord (technique and video found here) and attach that to the pumpkin for a stem, rather than the knots.
    Knitting this pumpkin small makes a great Hallow’s End gift for kitties. Along with the stuffing, just add a small jingle bell. You’re cat will love it like mine does ^_^

Happy Hallow’s End and Happy Knitting!

Copyright © 2010 Kirina
Please don’t steal someone else’s work! This pattern is intended for your personal use/enjoyment only. Any reproduction of this pattern, or the selling of this pattern and/or its final product, is strictly prohibited unless you have my permission first.

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