Felted Pumpkin

Materials:
2 balls Crystal Palace Iceland (100% Wool; 109 yds per 100g ball) in color Pumpkin
1 ball Crystal Palace Iceland in color Forest Green
16" circular needle in U.S. size 10.5 (6.5 mm)
24" circular needle in U.S. size 11 (8 mm)
set of U.S. size 11 (8 mm) double pointed needles (dpns)
tapestry needle

Gauge:
Not important for this project. It can be knit with smaller yarn and appropriate needles for a smaller version of the pumpkin. (Be sure to use yarn that will felt.)

Instructions:

Stitches Used:
K: Knit
P: Purl
M1L: Make one left
M1R: Make one right
K2tog: Knit two together
K3tog: Knit three together
ssk: Slip the next two stitches knitwise, one at a time, then knit the two slipped stitches together
Sl1 ssk psso: Slip one, slip slip knit the last two slipped stitches together then pass slipped stitch over the knit stitch left
Kfb: Knit through the front and back of a stitch

Body of pumpkin:
Cast on 50 sts with the 10.5 needle and join in circle.
Row 1 (Right side): K to end.
Row 2 (Wrong side): P to end.
Row 3: K to end.
Row 4: Increase 10 sts evenly across row. [60 sts]
Row 5: *K8, p2* six times. [60 sts] Change to size 11 needles.
Row 6: *K1, M1L, k8, M1R, k1, p2* six times. [72 sts]
Row 7 and all remaining odd numbered rows: Work in pattern.
Row 8: *K1, M1L, k8, M1R, k1, p2* six times. [84 sts]
Row 10: *K1, M1L, k10, M1R, k1, p2* six times. [96 sts]
Row 12: *K1, M1L, k12, M1R, k1, p2* six times. [108 sts]
Row 14: *K1, M1L, k14, M1R, k1, p2* six times. [120 sts]
Row 16: *K1, M1L, k16, M1R, k1, p2* six times. [132 sts]
Rows 17 to 33: Work in pattern. [132 sts]
Row 34: *K1, k3tog, k12, sl1 ssk psso, k1, p2* six times. [108 sts]
Row 36: *K1, k3tog, k8, sl1 ssk psso, k1, p2* six times. [84 sts]
Row 38: *K1, k3tog, k4, sl1 ssk psso, k1, p2* six times. [60 sts] Switch to dpns.
Row 40: *K1, k3tog, sl1, ssk, psso, k1, p2* six times. [48 sts]
Row 42: *K1, sl1 ssk psso, k1, p2* six times. [24 sts]
Row 44: *K2tog, P2tog* six times. [12 sts]
Cut yarn and pull tail through remaining 12 sts.

Pumpkin top:
Cast on 60 sts with the 10.5 needle and join in circle.
Row 1 (Right side): *K8, p2* six times. [60 sts]
Row 2 (Wrong side): *K8, p2* six times.
Row 3: *K8, p2* six times.
Row 4: *K8, p2* six times.
Row 5: *K8, p2* six times. Change to size 11 needles.
Row 6: *K1, k3tog, sl1 ssk psso, k1, p2* six times. [48 sts]
Row 7: Work in pattern.
Row 8: *K1, sl1 ssk psso, k1, p2* six times. [24 sts]
Row 9: Work in pattern.
Row 10: *K2tog, p2tog* six times. [12 sts] Change to Forest Green yarn.
Row 11: *K1, p1* six times. [12 sts]
Row 12: *K2tog, k1* four times. [3 sts]
Work 4 inches of i-cord for stem. (I-cord: Worked on double pointed needles. Knit one row, then slide all stitches to the right side of the needle without turning and knit across with the working yarn at the "wrong" end of the needle for the first stitch.)

Vine and leaves:
Work 3 stitch i-cord for 6 inches, then make leaf as follows:
Row 1 (Right side): K1, kfb, k1. [4 sts]
Row 2 and all even rows: P across.
Row 3: K1, kfb, kfb, k1. [6 sts]
Row 5: K1, kfb, k2, kfb, k1. [8 sts]
Row 7: K1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1. [6 sts]
Row 9: K1, k2tog, ssk, k1. [4 sts]
Row 11: K2tog, ssk. [2 sts]
Row 13: K2tog. [1 st]
Bind off.

Start the 3 st i-cord at the base of the leaf you just completed and work 6 inches of i-cord and another leaf two times.

Attach the vine and leaves to the stem of the pumpkin. Felt and enjoy!

This pattern is courtesy of K2Tog, 1230 Solano Ave., Albany, CA 94706, (510)526-9276.

©Janie Cavalli