The Glowing Jack-O'-Lantern Treat Bucket: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Cozy, Illuminated Halloween Bag

Introducing the Glowing Jack-O'-Lantern Treat Bucket

Ditch the plastic pumpkin pail and craft a soft, glowing treat bucket that will be the envy of the neighborhood. This crochet pattern uses a clever construction to create a textured, 3D pumpkin shape with a built-in handle and a secret pocket for a battery-operated tea light. Perfect for Halloween, this cozy, illuminated bag is both a fun kids' craft and a charming piece of home decor. The ribbed texture, achieved by working in the back loop only, gives it a classic pumpkin look, while the crocheted face adds a playful, spooky touch.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) cotton or acrylic yarn in orange (main color), green (stem), and black (face). Approximately 150 yards of orange, 20 yards of green, and 10 yards of black.
• Hook: US Size G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook
• Gauge: 16 sc x 18 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. Gauge is not critical for this project, but consistency will ensure a neat shape.
• Other: Yarn needle, scissors, small piece of felt or fabric (about 2x3 inches) for the tea light pocket, battery-operated tea light.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Abbreviations

ch = chain, sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet, sl st = slip stitch, inc = increase (2 sc in same stitch), dec = decrease (sc 2 together), st(s) = stitch(es), rnd = round, BLO = back loop only.

Notes

The bucket is worked in continuous rounds from the bottom up. The face is crocheted separately and sewn on. The stem is crocheted and attached. A small pocket for a tea light is created inside.

BOTTOM (Orange)

Work in continuous rounds. Do not join at the end of each round unless specified.

• Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, ch 1, work 6 sc into ring. Pull tight. (6 sts)
• Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
• Rnd 3: *Sc in next st, inc* repeat around. (18 sts)
• Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sts, inc* repeat around. (24 sts)
• Rnd 5: *Sc in next 3 sts, inc* repeat around. (30 sts)
• Rnd 6: *Sc in next 4 sts, inc* repeat around. (36 sts)
• Rnd 7: *Sc in next 5 sts, inc* repeat around. (42 sts)
• Rnd 8: *Sc in next 6 sts, inc* repeat around. (48 sts)
• Rnd 9: *Sc in next 7 sts, inc* repeat around. (54 sts)
• Rnd 10: *Sc in next 8 sts, inc* repeat around. (60 sts)
• Rnd 11: *Sc in next 9 sts, inc* repeat around. (66 sts)
• Rnd 12: *Sc in next 10 sts, inc* repeat around. (72 sts)
• Rnd 13: *Sc in next 11 sts, inc* repeat around. (78 sts)
• Rnd 14: *Sc in next 12 sts, inc* repeat around. (84 sts)
• Rnd 15: *Sc in next 13 sts, inc* repeat around. (90 sts)
• Rnd 16: *Sc in next 14 sts, inc* repeat around. (96 sts)
• Rnd 17: *Sc in next 15 sts, inc* repeat around. (102 sts)
• Rnd 18: *Sc in next 16 sts, inc* repeat around. (108 sts)

SIDES (Orange)

• Rnd 19-30: Sc in each st around. (108 sts each rnd) - This creates the straight sides of the bucket.

RIDGE DETAIL (Optional but recommended)

This creates the ribbed pumpkin texture.

• Rnd 31: Working in BLO, sc in each st around. (108 sts)
• Rnd 32-33: Sc in each st around (through both loops). (108 sts)
• Rnd 34: Working in BLO, sc in each st around. (108 sts)
• Rnd 35-36: Sc in each st around. (108 sts)
• Rnd 37: Working in BLO, sc in each st around. (108 sts)
• Rnd 38-39: Sc in each st around. (108 sts)
• Rnd 40: Working in BLO, sc in each st around. (108 sts)

HANDLE (Orange)

• Rnd 41: Ch 1, sc in next 10 sts, ch 40 (or desired handle length, long enough to go over a child's arm), skip 40 sts, sc in next 28 sts, ch 40, skip 40 sts, sc in remaining 10 sts. (20 sc + 2 handle chains)
• Rnd 42: Sc in each sc and in each ch across the handle. (20 sc + 40 sc per handle = 100 sts total)
• Rnd 43: Sc in each st around. (100 sts)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

FACE (Black)

Make two triangles for eyes and one for the nose, and a mouth shape. You can freeform these or follow a simple pattern:

• Eye (make 2): Ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (3 sc). Turn, ch 1, sc in each st (3 sc). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
• Nose: Ch 3, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (2 sc). Turn, ch 1, sc in each st (2 sc). Fasten off.
• Mouth: Ch 10, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (9 sc). Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Sew the face pieces onto the front of the bucket, positioning them to your liking. Use the tails to stitch them securely.

STEM (Green)

• Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (5 sc). Turn, ch 1, sc in each st (5 sc). Repeat until the stem is about 2 inches long. Fasten off, leaving a tail. Sew the stem to the top center of the bucket, between the handles.

TEA LIGHT POCKET (Optional, inside)

Cut a small rectangle of felt or fabric (about 2x3 inches). Sew it to the inside of the bucket near the bottom, leaving the top open to insert a battery-operated tea light. This keeps the light secure and diffuses the glow.

FINISHING

Weave in all ends. Insert a battery-operated tea light into the pocket. The bucket is ready for trick-or-treating!