Crochet a flat pumpkin face – free pattern

Note: turn and ch 1 after each row unless stated otherwise
R1: with orange yarn ch 13, skip 1st ch, sc in 12 ch [12 st]
R2: (sc, 2 sc in next st, sc in next) x 4 times [16 st]
R3-4: sc in each st [16 st]
R5: (sc in 2 st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next) x 5 times [20 st]
R6-7: sc in each st [20 st]
R8: (sc in 2 st, sc2tog, sc in next) x 4 times [16 st]
R9-10: sc in each st [16 st]
R11: (sc in 1st, sc2tog, sc in next) x 4 times [12 st]
R12: sc in each st [12 st]. NB no turning chain at end.
R13: (sl st in 1st st, hdc in 2nd st, dc in next 2 st, hdc in 5th st, sl st in 6th) x 2 times.
Row 13 forms the bottom of your pumpkin. Bind off.

Turn your shape upside down. Now work into the 12 loops along the top edge left from your first (foundation) row of single crochet.
Put your hook through the 1st loop & pull a yarn loop through. This acts as a slip stitch & now repeat row 13 above, starting with the hdc in the 2nd loop, to form the top curves of the pumpkin.

If you are not familiar with crocheting into both sides of the foundation chain, here’s a photo & video tutorial from Wool & the Gang.

To neaten the pumpkin edges, instead of binding off, ss down the left side, across the bottom curves & up the right side. Bind off at the top right corner.
Be sure to add enough slip stitches so your shape will flatten once blocked. If in doubt, add a few. I made 14-16 sl st on each side. Along the bottom I did 2 sl st in each hdc & dc.
Bind off & weave in all ends.

If your pumpkin does not lie flat, soak it in water for 15 mins approx, squeeze excess water out with a towel & leave to dry. You can use a few pins to secure the shape if you like. Acrylic dries quite quickly.

Using green yarn, put hook through a central slip stitch in the top row. Pull through a loop of yarn and ch 7.
Skip 2 ch, hdc in 5 ch, sl st into a central slip stitch on the top of the pumpkin to complete the stalk. Bind off & weave in ends.

Your pumpkin is broken up into 7 horizontal bands (top & bottom curves with 5 straight bands in between).
Using an embroidery needle with black yarn or floss, come up about 4 stitches in from left side at the bottom of band 3. Then make a right diagonal stitch putting your needle down at the top of band 3. Now bring your needle back up at the bottom of band 3 about 5 stitches in from the left. These 3 points form the left eye triangle. Fill in the triangle with vertical or diagonal stitches.

Repeat for the right eye, starting 4 stitches in from the right. This leaves 4-5 stitches between the eyes.

Starting 4.5 bands down from the top, approx in line with the mid point of the left eye, bring your needle up and then down about 4 stitches to the right and half a band down (5 bands down from the top). Next bring your needle up another 4 stitches right, in line with the centre of the right eye and the left corner of the mouth. Bring your needle back down at the centre to complete the top mouth line.

Bring your needle up 2 rows of single crochet downwards (mid band 6). Then put your needle down at the top left mouth corner, back up at the bottom centre and down at the top right corner to complete the mouth outline.

Fill this roughly with short vertical stitches, which you could leave as is for a jagged smile. Otherwise, make a couple of long horizontal stitches across the mouth on top of these to fill it fully for a solid black smile.

You can make your pumpkin a bit more robust for hanging etc by spraying it with stiffening spray & leaving it to dry. I used Dylon spray starch.