Crochet Gingham & Checker Pumpkins: Free Fall Pattern

I have been wanting to design a checker crochet pumpkin for SO long!

Two stacks of crocheted gingham pumpkins in pastel colors arranged on a wooden tray with pinecones and greenery.

Checker patterns have been everywhere, from pillows and blankets to home décor, and I absolutely love the modern, trendy look. I’ve had a checker pumpkin on my design list forever, so it was only a matter of time before that inspiration made its way into a pumpkin pattern.

And I am obsessed with how these turned out!

The Country Gingham Pumpkins combine that trendy checker look with the cozy, classic feel of gingham. The pattern includes both options, so you can go traditional and cozy with a three-colour gingham or keep it bold and modern with a two-colour checker design.

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A hand holding a stack of three small crochet pumpkins in shades of pink, green, and blue, each featuring a classic checker pumpkin pattern.

Project Overview

Add a cozy handmade touch to your fall décor with the Country Gingham Pumpkins. This pattern includes Small, Medium and Large pumpkins with two colourwork options: classic gingham or bold checker.

Worked from the bottom up in the round, front post double crochet stitches create a thick, ribbed texture while simple colour changes form the checkered design.

Customize your pumpkins with your favourite fall colours and finish with a rope or cinnamon stick stem. Make them individually or stack the different sizes for a beautiful fall display. A full step-by-step video tutorial is included.

Skill level: Intermediate

Sizes: S (M, L)

Yarn Weight: DK Weight #3

Yarn: MJ’s Off The Hook Designs Timeless Tones

Hook Sizes: 5 mm

Construction: Worked in the Round from the bottom up

Video Tutorial: https://youtu.be/TW1kwrtW0ao

A Modern Twist on the Crochet Pumpkin

I love a classic crochet pumpkin, but I wanted these to feel a little different from the pumpkins we’ve made in the past.

The checker trend was really the starting point for this design. I love how something as simple as alternating blocks of colour can completely change the look of a project. The checker version feels fun and modern, while the gingham version has that softer country look that is perfect for fall.

The front post double crochet stitches add a beautiful ribbed texture to the fabric and give the pumpkins that thick, cozy look I wanted.

Once they’re stuffed and shaped, those little blocks of colour really pop!

Three Crochet Pumpkin Sizes

The Country Gingham Pumpkins pattern includes three sizes: Small, Medium and Large. Make just one for a little pop of fall colour, group a few together, or crochet all three sizes and stack them for a cozy fall display.

Size & Yarn Requirements

Size	Finished Circ.	Finished Height	Gingham A/B	Gingham C	Checker A/B
Small	14″	2.5″	100 yds each	50 yds	125 yds each
Medium	17.5″	3″	140 yds each	70 yds	175 yds each
Large	21″	3.5″	180 yds each	90 yds	225 yds each

Yarn amounts are approximate. Gingham uses Colours A, B and C. Checker uses Colours A and B only. Amounts are listed per colour and have been rounded to allow for differences in tension and finishing.

Finished measurements may vary depending on how firmly the pumpkin is stuffed and shaped.

Gingham or Checker: Which One Will You Make?

This might be my favourite part of the pattern because you can get two completely different looks from the same design.

The Gingham Pumpkin uses three colours. Choose a darker shade for Colour A, a lighter coordinating shade for Colour B and a light neutral for Colour C. This gives you that classic gingham effect.

The Checker Pumpkin uses just two colours, A and B, for a bolder checkered look.

And you definitely don’t have to stick to traditional fall colours!

I love the idea of soft pinks, blues, greens and creamy neutrals mixed in with those warmer fall shades. Changing the colours can take these from classic country fall décor to something really modern and trendy.

Several crocheted pumpkins in various colors, including checkerboard and striped patterns, are arranged next to yarn balls, cinnamon sticks, and decorative greenery.

Made with Timeless Tones

Of course, I made my pumpkins in my MJ’s Off The Hook Designs Timeless Tones (CDN) from Mary Maxim.

Timeless Tones is a #3 DK weight premium acrylic with 273 yards per 100 g ball. The colour palette makes this pattern especially fun because there are so many shades that work beautifully together for gingham and checker combinations.

For my samples, I mixed shades including Oat Milk, Toasted Almond, Faded Denim, Petal Pink, Sweet Peony, Rosewater, Soft Thyme, Eucalyptus, Coastal Blue and Vanilla Frosting.

This is also a great project for playing around with colour combinations you may already have in your yarn stash.

Timeless Tones

Timeless Tones Canada SIte

Make Them Chunky!

Want an even bigger pumpkin?

You can use the exact same pattern to create a larger, chunky version!

Hold three strands of Timeless Tones together and use an 8 mm crochet hook, then follow the instructions for whichever pumpkin size you want to make.

This is such a fun way to change up the pattern and create bigger pumpkins without needing a completely separate set of instructions.

Video Tutorial

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Yarn Requirments

MJ’s Off The Hook Designs Timeless Tones (CDN)

DK Weight #3, 100% Premium Acrylic, 273 yds/100 g.

Crochet Hook

US H/8 (5 mm)

or the size needed to obtain the gauge

Hook Tray

Materials

Cardstock for Tags (CDN)

Hole Punch (CDN)

A crochet project in progress for a gingham pumpkin pattern with a gold hook, skeins of green and cream yarn, and a small dish of cinnamon sticks.

Gauge

7 sts and 7 rows equal to 2″ in front post double crochet

Suitable Yarn Substitutes

This pattern was designed using Timeless Tones DK Weight #3 yarn

273 yds/100 g = 2.73 yds per gram

When substituting yarn, look for a DK-weight yarn with a similar yards per gram ratio to achieve comparable results.

Suggested Substitutions

Mary Maxim Mellowspun DK (CDN): 284 yds/100 g = 2.84 yds per gram

Knit Picks Brava Baby: 273 yds/100 g = 2.73 yds per gram

Premier Basix DK (CDN): 306 yds/100 g = 3.06 yds per gram

Lion Brand Color Theory: 246 yds/100 g = 2.46 yds per gram

Adjust hook size if needed to achieve the correct gauge and maintain a soft, flexible fabric.

Abbreveations

Ch – Chain

Dc – Double Crochet

Fpdc – Front Post Double Crochet

Fpdc2tog – Front Post Double Crochet 2 Together

Rep – Repeat

Sl St – Slip Stitch

St(s) – Stitch(es)

Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc): Yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through remaining 2 loops.

Front Post Double Crochet 2 Together (fpdc2tog): Yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook.

Helpful Guides

How to read a crochet pattern

Crochet multiples explained

A Beginner’s Guide To Crochet Gauge

How to Substitute Different Yarn Weights in Crochet Patterns

Crochet Abbreviations and Pattern Terms Explained

Learn to Crochet Series

Hand holding a blue and white striped crochet pumpkin, surrounded by other small knit and wooden decorative pumpkins.

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Pattern

Notes: Pumpkins are worked from the bottom up in the round. Instructions are provided separately for the Small, Medium and Large sizes. Front post double crochet stitches create a thick, ribbed texture.

The Gingham Pumpkin uses three colours, A, B and C. The Checker Pumpkin uses two colours, A and B. Instructions are written for the Gingham Pumpkin. When the colour sequence differs for the Checker Pumpkin, the Checker colour is shown in parentheses.

When changing colours, work the final yarn over of the last stitch with the next colour. Do not cut or work over the unused yarn. Simply drop the unused colour behind the work and pick it back up when needed, creating floats along the inside of the pumpkin. The video tutorial demonstrates how to change colours and manage the floats.

The Small, Medium and Large pumpkins are worked with one strand of Timeless Tones and a 5 mm crochet hook. For a larger, chunky version of each size, triple the yarn using three strands held together and an 8 mm crochet hook. Follow the same pattern instructions for the corresponding size.

The technique for working three strands from a single ball of yarn is demonstrated in the video tutorial.

Small

Round 1:

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With A, Magic Ring, ch 2 (not included as a stitch here and throughout), work 14 dc in ring, pull ring tight, sl st in first dc to join—14 sts.

Round 2 (Incr.):

Ch 2, work 2 fpdc first st, change to B (drop A), work 2 fpdc next st, change to A (drop B), * work 2 fpdc next st, change to B, work 2 fpdc next st, change to A; rep from * around, sl st in first fpdc to join—28 sts.

Round 3 (Incr.):

With A ch 2, work 1 fpdc first st, work 2 fpdc next st, change to B, work 1 fpdc next st, work 2 fpdc next st, change to A, * work 1 fpdc next st, work 2 fpdc next st, change to B, work 1 fpdc next st, work 2 fpdc next st, change to A; rep from * around, sl st in first fpdc to join—42 sts.

Round 4 (Incr.):

With A ch 2, work 1 fpdc first 2 sts, work 2 fpdc next st, change to B, work 1 fpdc next 2 sts, work 2 fpdc next st, change to A, * work 1 fpdc next 2 sts, work 2 fpdc next st, change to B, work 1 fpdc next 2 sts, work 2 fpdc next st, change to A; rep from * around, last st do not change to color A, keep B, sl st in first fpdc to join—56 sts.

Round 5:

With B, ch 2, *work 1 fpdc in each of next 4 sts, change to C (A for Checker), work 1 fpdc in each of next 4 sts, change to B; rep from * around, last st, do not change to A, keep B, sl st in first fpdc to join—56 sts.

Round 6:

Rep Round 5.

Round 7:

Rep Round 5, changing to A in the last st—56 sts.

Rounds 8-10:

Rep Round 5, alternating A and B, changing to B in the last st of Round 10—56 sts.

Rounds 11-13:

Rep Rounds 5 to 7, changing to A in the last st of Round 13—56 sts.

Round 14 (Decr.):

With A, ch 2, work 1 fpdc in each of first 2 sts, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to B, work 1 fpdc in each of next 2 sts, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to A, *work 1 fpdc in each of next 2 sts, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to B, work 1 fpdc in each of next 2 sts, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to A; rep from * around, sl st in first fpdc to join—42 sts.

Round 15 (Decr.):

With A, ch 2, work 1 fpdc in first st, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to B, work 1 fpdc in next st, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to A, *work 1 fpdc in next st, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to B, work 1 fpdc in next st, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to A; rep from * around, sl st in first fpdc to join—28 sts.

Round 16 (Decr.):

With A, ch 2, work 1 fpdc2tog over first 2 sts, change to B, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to A, *work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to B, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to A; rep from * around, sl st in first fpdc to join—14 sts. Cut B. Fasten off A, leaving a long tail for creating the pumpkin indents.

Medium

Rounds 1-4:

Work Rounds 1 to 4 of Small Pumpkin—56 sts.

Round 5 (Incr.):

With A, ch 2, work 1 fpdc in each of first 3 sts, work 2 fpdc in next st, change to B, work 1 fpdc in each of next 3 sts, work 2 fpdc in next st, change to A, *work 1 fpdc in each of next 3 sts, work 2 fpdc in next st, change to B, work 1 fpdc in each of next 3 sts, work 2 fpdc in next st, change to A; rep from * around, changing to B in the last st, sl st in first fpdc to join—70 sts.

Round 6:

With B, ch 2, *work 1 fpdc in each of next 5 sts, change to C (A for Checker), work 1 fpdc in each of next 5 sts, change to B; rep from * around, sl st in first fpdc to join—70 sts.

Rounds 7-8:

Rep Round 6.

Round 9:

Rep Round 6, changing to A in the last st—70 sts.

Rounds 10-13:

Rep Round 6, alternating A and B, changing to B in the last st of Round 13—70 sts.

Rounds 14-17:

Rep Rounds 6 to 9, changing to A in the last st of Round 17—70 sts.

Round 18 (Decr.):

With A, ch 2, work 1 fpdc in each of first 3 sts, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to B, work 1 fpdc in each of next 3 sts, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to A, *work 1 fpdc in each of next 3 sts, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to B, work 1 fpdc in each of next 3 sts, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to A; rep from * around, sl st in first fpdc to join—56 sts.

Round 19 (Decr.):

Round 20 (Decr.):

Round 21 (Decr.):

Large

Rounds 1-4:

Work Rounds 1 to 4 of Small Pumpkin—56 sts.

Round 5:

Work Round 5 of Medium Pumpkin—70 sts.

Round 6 (Incr.):

With A, ch 2, work 1 fpdc in each of first 4 sts, work 2 fpdc in next st, change to B, work 1 fpdc in each of next 4 sts, work 2 fpdc in next st, change to A, *work 1 fpdc in each of next 4 sts, work 2 fpdc in next st, change to B, work 1 fpdc in each of next 4 sts, work 2 fpdc in next st, change to A; rep from * around, changing to B in the last st, sl st in first fpdc to join—84 sts.

Round 7:

With B, ch 2, *work 1 fpdc in each of next 6 sts, change to C (A for Checker), work 1 fpdc in each of next 6 sts, change to B; rep from * around, sl st in first fpdc to join—84 sts.

Rounds 8-10:

Rep Round 7.

Round 11:

Rep Round 7, changing to A in the last st—84 sts.

Rounds 12-16:

Rep Round 7, alternating A and B, changing to B in the last st of Round 16—84 sts.

Rounds 17-21:

Rep Rounds 7 to 11, changing to A in the last st of Round 21—84 sts.

Round 22 (Decr.):

With A, ch 2, work 1 fpdc in each of first 4 sts, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to B, work 1 fpdc in each of next 4 sts, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to A, *work 1 fpdc in each of next 4 sts, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to B, work 1 fpdc in each of next 4 sts, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to A; rep from * around, sl st in first fpdc to join—70 sts.

Round 23 (Decr.):

Round 24 (Decr.):

Round 25 (Decr.):

Round 26 (Decr.):

With A, ch 2, work 1 fpdc2tog over first 2 sts, change to B, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to A, *work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to B, work 1 fpdc2tog over next 2 sts, change to A; rep from * around, sl st in first fpdc to join— 14 sts. Cut B. Fasten off A, leaving a long tail for finishing.

Finishing

Stuff the pumpkin firmly with polyester fibrefill.

If using rope for the pumpkin stem, cut a piece approximately 3″ long. Alternatively, use a cinnamon stick or another preferred material for the stem.

Thread the long tail onto a yarn needle. Weave through every other stitch around the top opening. Insert the rope stem into the centre of the pumpkin and pull the tail firmly to close the opening around the stem. If desired, add a small amount of hot glue around the base of the stem for extra security. To secure the opening, weave the yarn through the thicker layer of stitches around the top in one direction, then weave back through in the opposite direction. Pull firmly to tighten and secure the opening.

Next, use the remaining tail to create the pumpkin indents. At a colour transition between A and B, weave the yarn down through the post stitches, following the line of the colour change to the bottom of the pumpkin. Bring the yarn through the bottom of the pumpkin and back up through the centre top opening. Pull firmly to create an indent along the side of the pumpkin. Skip 8 (10, 12) sts for Small (Medium, Large), then weave the yarn down through the post stitches to the bottom of the pumpkin. Bring the yarn back up through the centre top opening and pull firmly to create the next indent.

Continue in this manner around the pumpkin, spacing the indents evenly and pulling each one firmly to shape the pumpkin. Once all indents are complete, securely weave in the remaining tail and trim.

Printable PDF PAttern

Three crocheted, pumpkin-shaped pillows in green, red, and brown gingham pumpkin patterns sit on a white sofa next to a plaid throw blanket.

Looking for beginner projects?

What is the difference between the gingham and checker crochet pumpkins?

The Gingham Pumpkin uses three colours to create the softer, traditional gingham effect. The Checker Pumpkin uses two colours for a bolder, more modern checker design. Both versions are made using the same basic pumpkin construction.

Is the Country Gingham Pumpkin pattern beginner-friendly?

I would rate this pattern Intermediate because it uses front post double crochet stitches, colour changes and floats. However, the construction itself is quite repetitive once you get going, and the step-by-step video tutorial walks you through the techniques used in the pattern.

Do I need to cut the yarn every time I change colours?

No. The unused colour is dropped behind the work and picked back up when needed. This makes the colourwork much easier and avoids having dozens of ends to weave in when your pumpkin is finished.

Can I use a different yarn for this crochet pumpkin?

Absolutely. Gauge isn’t critical for this project, which makes it a fun pattern for experimenting with different yarn weights.
A lighter yarn with a smaller hook will create a smaller pumpkin, while heavier yarn or multiple strands held together with a larger hook will create a bigger, chunkier pumpkin.
Whatever yarn you choose, use a hook that gives you a firm fabric with minimal gaps so the stuffing stays hidden.

How can I make a larger crochet pumpkin?

One of my favourite options is to hold three strands of DK yarn together and use an 8 mm crochet hook. Simply follow the same instructions for your chosen size.
You can also experiment with heavier yarn weights and larger hooks to create even more sizes.

Can I sell my Finished Product?

Yes! You may sell finished items made from MJ’s patterns, but please credit:
“Pattern by MJ’s Off The Hook Designs Inc.”

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I hope you love our Checker Pumpkin Pattern. You might also love these crochet patterns:

This pattern is designed by Michelle Moore of MJ’s Off The Hook Designs Inc., based in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada. Your go-to source for modern, easy crochet patterns. Published on October 5, 2026.

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