Pumpkins and a Pattern

Sometimes I get these ideas in my head that just work at me until I give in to them. They'll start with a color or a texture, then evolve into something more substantial.  That's how it was with these pumpkins.  I started thinking about nubby, burnt orange wool, the color of autumn.  The wool soon became a pumpkin.  Then there was no helping me; I was off to the yarn store.

Now I must give you fair warning.  I have never written a knitting pattern prior to this, so if there are mistakes or it doesn't make sense, let me know and I'll try to explain it better.  I will use standard abbreviations and terms.   So, if I can read my writing, I'll give you the pattern now!  This is for the pumpkin just above.  I used 4 double pointed, size 8 needles, and Malabrigo worsted wool in Rhodesian 123.  The stem I did on size 4 double points, and used Malabrigo worsted in Lettuce 37.

For the pumpkin, using your main color, cast on 9 stitches, evenly spaced over 3 needles.  Place a marker at the beginning stitch of first round.
Round 1:  Knit in front and back (kfb) of each stitch. 18 stitches
Round 2: *slip (sl) 1, k2; repeat from * around.
Round 3: *k1, kfb 2; repeat from * around. 30 stitches
Round 4: *sl1, k4; repeat from * around
Round 5: *k1, kfb 4; repeat from * around. 54 stitches
Round 6: *sl 1 k8; repeat from * around
Round 7: *k1(kfb k1) 4 times; repeat from * around. 78 stitches
Round 8: *s1 k12; repeat from * around
Round 9: *k1 (k2 kfb) 4 times; repeat from * around. 102 stitches
Round 10: *s1 k16; repeat from * around
Round 11: knit all stitches
Round 12: *s1 k16; repeat from * around
Round 13: *k1 k2tog k12 k2tog; repeat from * around
Round 14: *s1 k14; repeat from * around
Round 15: *k1 k2tog k10 k2tog; repeat from * around
Round 16: *s1 k12; repeat from * around
Round 17: *k1 k2tog k3 k2tog k3 k2tog; repeat from * around
Round 18: *s1 k9; repeat from * around
Round 19: *k1 k2tog k2 k2tog k1 k2tog; repeat from * around

Before continuing, lightly stuff the pumpkin with stuffing of choice.  I used wool roving.

Round 20: * s1 k6; repeat from * around.
Round 21: *k1 (k2tog) 3 times; repeat from * around
Round 22: *s1 k3; repeat from * around
Round 23: *k1 k2tog k2 k2tog k1; repeat from * around
Round 24: * s1 k2; repeat from * around
Round 25: *k1 k2tog; repeat from * around
Round 26: k2tog around


Cut thread (with at least a 5 inch tail) and pull through all remaining stitches.  Pull up to tighten, then use a crewel needle to sew in the thread end.


Stem:
With green and smaller needles, cast on 6 stitches over 3 needles
Round 1: knit all stitches
Round 2: *kfb k1; repeat from * around
Round 3: knit all stitches
Round 4: *k1 kfb k1; repeat from * around
Round 5: knit all stitches
Round 6: knit all stitches
Round 7: bind off knitwise

Using green yarn, stitch stem to pumpkin.
*****EDIT****** Thank you to Emimintz for finding a typo!  Round 13 had an 8 in front of the K1 that should have been an *.  I'm going to knit through this again today to see if I can find any more mistakes:)

I hope you like this pumpkin pattern!  Feel free to make as many as you want for yourself or to share with your friends.  Now I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but please do not make these and sell them on Etsy.

Coming soon!  A spider web crochet pattern!  OOooooo!  Spooky!