Crocheted Pumpkins and Leaves

Today, I am sharing some crocheted pumpkins and leaves I made recently.

After making this set of pumpkins for a friend, I decided to make myself some

along with the crocheted leaves.

I used these fabulous YouTube tutorials...
Pumpkins - Bella Coco
Pumpkins stalks - Tuula Maaria
Leaves - Blossom Crochet

I really recommend visiting their YouTube channels, as you will find there there
 are lots of tutorials to follow with easy instructions.

For the pumpkins I used Hobbycraft Knitcraft Everyday DK in Orange and Rust
and for the leaves I used scraps of leftover yarn in my stash.

When I taught myself to crochet four years ago, I made a few pumpkins
using some green wool that I had been practicing with.
 I wasn't experienced enough to make the stems, so I used
some twigs instead! They're still securely in place and come out every year,
along with the 'Memory' pumpkins I made with my husband's socks.

Crocheted Pumpkins

 'Memory' Pumpkins

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x

A Fabric Covered Pumpkin

 After watching a few videos on YouTube, I thought I would have a go
at covering a polystyrene pumpkin which I bought on eBay with a
piece of fabric left over from a fat quarter.

It turned out to be quite simple, with the bonus of not using any glue.
I started by removing the stalk and making the centre hole bigger using scissors
and a chopstick!

Next, I placed the the pumpkin onto the fabric and started bringing the sides
up to the centre, using the chopstick to press the fabric into the hole.
Lastly, I placed the stalk back into the pumpkin to finish. 

I added it to my autumnal display, which includes the crochet pumpkin and
memory sock pumpkin which I made last year.

The details of how I made the pumpkins can be found HERE and HERE

The polysterene pumpkins came in a set of three, so I think I'll use some
different fabric to cover the other two.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Janice x

Crocheted Pumpkins

 I taught myself to crochet just over 40 years ago when my sister was expecting my first nephew. I could already knit and thought it would be nice to crochet clothes for him as well. 

Sadly, I only managed a make one matinee jacket (do babies wear those anymore?) which seemed to take me ages to crochet, so I quickly decided it wasn’t for me and gave up. Knitting was certainly much quicker and easier for me, and would enable me to make all sorts of clothes for him.

Fast forward to this year, when I decided to give it another try. I found some pink wool I had from making pom-poms with my great nieces. I bought myself a crochet hook, watched Bella Coco Crochet tutorials on YouTube, and practiced the different stitches and made a couple of Granny squares.

I found a ball of green Aran wool in Aldi which I found much nicer to use.

just kept practising and I soon found it coming back to me and I was enjoying 

it this time round.

Next, using Sarah-Jayne’s pumpkin pattern HERE I decided to give it a try. 

Her instructions on are really easy to follow, especially when you can 

pause and re-wind the video numerous times.

I made the smaller one first which I was pleased with, then decided to make a 

larger one to go with it.

Here they are alongside the memory ones I made recently from

my husband’s socks which can be found HERE

I am just waiting for some wool to arrive to try making an Infinity scarf.

I am hoping this will keep me busy whilst we’re in our second lockdown

and through the winter months.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Janice x

'Memory' Pumpkins

After seeing lots of handmade pumpkins on social media just recently,

 I thought I'd join the club and have a go at making myself some!

I've watched various tutorials on YouTube, and apart from knitting or crocheting 

them myself, they can also be made from old jumpers, shirts and socks.

I still have the majority of Harty's (my late husband) clothes which I plan to

donate to charity as well as using some to make a few memory projects.

I thought his 'walking' socks could be put to good use for the pumpkins.

I used a combination of tutorials, the main one being from Rosie Henshaw which
you can find HERE. I love watching her videos, she is very creative with
a lovely style and personality.

I made one large and one small pumpkin from one sock and I

used these hair bun donuts which I bought in Poundland.

I completed them using thread to give the pumpkin some shape and with
pieces of twig from the garden. 

Here are a couple of autumnal arrangements I have made with them. 

I think Harty would be pleased with my up-cycling and I have a feeling I 

will be making some more.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Janice x