# Bobble Crochet Pumpkin Pillow Free Pattern
Oh, this pillow makes my heart happy! A big squishy pumpkin in raised bobble stitches on a tweedy cream background, with a brown stem, curly green vines, and an orange crab-stitch border — it’s got that perfect rustic farmhouse vibe for fall. The main stitch is herringbone half double crochet (don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds and I’ll walk you through it), and the bobbles pop right off the surface in the most satisfying way.
This is rated intermediate because of the color changes, but honestly? A confident advanced beginner can totally tackle it. The pattern uses a chart for the pumpkin panel, and Rows 10 and 11 are written out below so you can see exactly how to follow it.
What You’ll Need
- Worsted weight (4) yarn, about 700 yards total:
- Three skeins of “I Love This Yarn Tweed” (5 oz / 142 g / 252 yds / 230 m per skein) in Ivory Tweed
- One skein of “I Love This Yarn” (7 oz / 199 g / 355 yds / 325 m per skein) in Burnt Pumpkin
- About 10 yards of brown worsted weight yarn for the pumpkin stem (I used Lion Brand Pound of Love in Taupe)
- 15–20 yards of green worsted weight yarn for the vines (scraps are perfect)
- Size H (5.00 mm) crochet hook
- 18-inch pillow insert (or other stuffing material)
- Scissors and yarn needle
Size & Gauge
- Each panel is approximately 18 inches square (the back panel may be slightly smaller) and fits an 18-inch pillow insert.
- Gauge: 14 sts x 12 rows = 4-inch square, worked in herringbone half double crochet.
Pattern Notes
- The pillow is made of two flat panels worked in rows, then joined around the pillow insert.
- The pattern includes a chart for the front (pumpkin) panel — the chart is the main guide for Rows 12–52.
- Color changes: When working the last stitch of the “old” color, stop before the final “pull through” of the stitch (for hhdc and sc there will be two loops left on the hook; for a bobble there will be five loops left), then pull through with the “new” color and continue. When told to “carry” the unused yarn, lay it on top of the row you’re working into and crochet right over it.
- You’ll be looking at the “wrong side” of the bobbles while you make them — that’s normal!
- A row of hhdc is worked after every bobble row, so all the bobbles end up on the same side.
- Since the wrong sides of the panels end up inside the pillow, you don’t need to cut and weave in yarn at every color change — just drop the yarn when you’re not using it and cross it over the back to pick up later.
- The pumpkin stem is worked in regular hdc, NOT herringbone half double crochet.
- The chain 1 used for turning does NOT count as a stitch.
Special Stitches
Herringbone half double crochet (hhdc): Yarn over and insert your hook into the stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch AND through the next loop on your hook. Then yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops on your hook.
Bobble (bo) — also called a dc4tog cluster: [Yarn over, insert the hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through two loops] 4 times, all in the same stitch. You’ll have 5 loops on your hook — yarn over and pull through all 5 loops. Stitch complete! Your next stitch will be a single crochet.
Reverse single crochet (rsc) — also called crab stitch: Worked exactly like a regular single crochet, but in the reverse direction. For right-handed crocheters, insert your hook into the stitch to your RIGHT (instead of your left), yarn over, pull up a tall loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.
Front Panel
With Ivory Tweed (or your background color of choice), chain 63.
Row 1: Hhdc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Ch 1, turn. <62 hhdc>
Rows 2–9: Hhdc in each stitch. Ch 1, turn. <62 hhdc>
From here you’ll follow the chart to build the pumpkin. Row 10 starts where the black arrow points on the chart. Rows 10 and 11 are written out below as an example of how to follow the chart.
Row 10: Hhdc in the first 20 sts with ivory (when completing the 20th hhdc, change to orange — carry the unused yarn until instructed to drop it).
Work [bo in next st, sc in next] two times, bo in next st (change to ivory when completing the bo), 1 sc in the next two sts using ivory (change back to orange).
Work [bo in next st, sc in next] three times, bo in next st (change to ivory when completing the bo), 1 sc in the next two sts using ivory (change back to orange).
Work [bo in next st, sc in next] two times, bo in next st (change to ivory when completing the bo — drop the orange yarn here), 1 sc in the next st.
Hhdc in the next 20 sts. Ch 1, turn. <62 sts (40 hhdc, 10 bo, 12 sc)>
Row 11: Using ivory, hhdc in each stitch. Ch 1, turn. <62 hhdc> (Note: do NOT carry any unused yarn through this row.)
Rows 12–52: Continue following the chart.
Pumpkin stem rows: Continue following the chart for the stem rows, changing to brown yarn when indicated. Remember: the stem itself is worked in regular half double crochet, NOT herringbone — use hhdc only for the ivory stitches on either side of the stem.
Fasten off at the end of Row 52 and weave in the ends (or just tuck them to the side that will face inward when you join the panels).
Vines (make 4)
Using green yarn, chain 20.
Row 1: Work 2 sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Fasten off and use the tail ends to tie each vine to the base of the pumpkin stem. (Tip: attach the vines to the front panel before you assemble the pillow.)
Make four vines and tie them around the base of the stem, using each set of tails to tie around a stitch.
Back Panel
With Ivory Tweed (or your background color of choice), chain 63.
Row 1: Hhdc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Ch 1, turn. <62 hhdc>
Rows 2–52: Hhdc in each stitch. Ch 1, turn. <62 hhdc>
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Assembly
- Lay the two panels together with the “wrong sides” facing in. Line up the stitches and row ends as best you can.
- Attach the orange yarn at one corner with a slip stitch through both panels. Chain 1.
- Work reverse single crochet evenly around to join the two panels — pull your loops up tall and keep your stitches loose so the edges don’t pucker. I placed a rsc in every stitch along the top and bottom, and about every other row along the sides.
- For the corners: place one rsc before the corner, rotate your work, and place one rsc after the corner.
- Stop after you’ve joined three sides, then stuff in your pillow insert (or other stuffing).
- Continue the rsc border across the last side until you reach where you started. Slip stitch to the base of your first rsc to join. Fasten off, weave in the ends — and your bobble pumpkin pillow is done!
*Alternative border: you can join the panels with regular single crochet instead — work 2 sc in each corner and join the round with a slip stitch.*
Sophie’s Tips
- Keep a sticky note on your chart to mark your current row — colorwork charts are so much easier when you don’t lose your place!
- Don’t stress about the back of the panel looking messy — it all ends up hidden inside the pillow.
- This makes a wonderful housewarming or fall birthday gift. 🎁
Happy making! 🎃
