The Harvest Glow Pumpkin Gnome Free Pattern – A Knitted Autumn Companion

Bring Autumn to Life with the Harvest Glow Pumpkin Gnome

There's something undeniably magical about handmade autumn décor. The crisp air, the warm colors, and the cozy feeling of a well-loved home all come together in this adorable Harvest Glow Pumpkin Gnome. This charming knitted amigurumi is the perfect weekend project for crafters of all levels. It's a wonderful way to use up scrap yarn from your stash, and the finished piece makes a delightful gift for friends, family, or even just for yourself. With its plump pumpkin body, jaunty cream hat, and friendly embroidered face, this little gnome is sure to become a seasonal favorite that you'll want to display year after year.

This pattern is designed with beginners in mind. It's worked flat in simple stockinette stitch pieces that are seamed together, making it an approachable introduction to amigurumi without the complexity of working in the round. The result is a soft, chunky, and wonderfully textured companion that captures the rustic spirit of autumn.

Materials Needed for Your Pumpkin Gnome

Before you begin, gather your supplies. This project is wonderfully portable and requires only a few basic materials:

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in four colors:
  • Orange: For the pumpkin body and ribs (approximately 100 yards)
  • Cream: For the gnome hat (approximately 50 yards)
  • Brown: For the stem (small amount)
  • Green: For the leaf (small amount)
  • Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice or any similar worsted weight yarn.
• Knitting Needles: US Size 5 (3.75 mm) knitting needles, or the size needed to obtain a comfortable tension. Straight needles are perfect for this project.
• Tapestry Needle: For seaming pieces together and weaving in ends.
• Fiberfill Stuffing: For giving your pumpkin a plump, huggable shape.
• Scissors: For cutting yarn.
• Black Yarn or Embroidery Floss: For embroidering the face.

Gauge: 5 stitches and 7 rows = 1 inch in stockinette stitch. Gauge is not critical for this project, but maintaining consistent tension throughout will ensure your pieces fit together neatly.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Harvest Glow Gnome

This pattern is worked flat in pieces and seamed together. All pieces are knitted in stockinette stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side) unless otherwise noted. Take your time, and enjoy the process of watching your gnome come to life!

Pumpkin Body (Make 1)

This is the main body of your gnome. It's a simple rectangle that is gathered at the top and bottom to create a plump pumpkin shape.

1. Using orange yarn, cast on 20 stitches.
2. Row 1 (Right Side): Knit all stitches.
3. Row 2 (Wrong Side): Purl all stitches.
4. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until your piece measures 4 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong-side row. This creates a square-ish piece that will become the pumpkin's body.
5. Next Row (Right Side): Knit 2 stitches together (k2tog) across the row. You will now have 10 stitches on your needle.
6. Next Row (Wrong Side): Purl all stitches.
7. Next Row (Right Side): Knit 2 stitches together (k2tog) across the row. You will now have 5 stitches on your needle.
8. Cut your yarn, leaving a long tail (about 12 inches). Thread this tail onto your tapestry needle. Slide the needle through the remaining 5 stitches on your knitting needle, then gently pull the yarn tight to gather the top of the pumpkin closed. Secure with a knot.
9. Now, sew the side seam of your knitted piece to form a tube. Use a mattress stitch or whip stitch for a neat finish.
10. Stuff the tube firmly with fiberfill. Make sure to push the stuffing all the way into the corners to create a nice, round shape.
11. Thread a separate piece of orange yarn onto your tapestry needle. Using a running stitch, sew around the bottom edge of the tube. Pull the yarn tight to gather the bottom closed, just like you did for the top. Secure with a knot and weave in the end. Set the pumpkin body aside.

Pumpkin Ribs (Make 6)

These long, thin strips are sewn onto the pumpkin body to create the classic ribbed pumpkin look.

1. Using orange yarn, cast on 3 stitches.
2. Row 1: Knit all stitches.
3. Row 2: Purl all stitches.
4. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the rib measures 4 inches long. Bind off all stitches.
5. Repeat to create a total of 6 ribs.
6. To attach the ribs, position them vertically around the pumpkin body. Start by placing one rib at the center front of the pumpkin. Then, place one on each side, and so on, until all 6 are evenly spaced. Pin them in place if needed.
7. Sew each rib onto the pumpkin body using a tapestry needle and orange yarn. As you sew, pull the yarn slightly tight. This gentle tension will help create the rounded, dimensional pumpkin shape. Weave in all ends.

Stem (Make 1)

A simple, sturdy stem sits proudly on top of your pumpkin.

1. Using brown yarn, cast on 6 stitches.
2. Knit in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row) for 2 inches.
3. Bind off all stitches.
4. Fold the knitted piece in half lengthwise, with the right sides together. Sew the long edges together to form a tube.
5. Turn the tube right side out. Stuff it lightly with a small amount of fiberfill.
6. Sew the stem securely to the top center of the pumpkin, right where you gathered the top closed.

Leaf (Make 1)

This cute little leaf adds a final touch of nature to your gnome.

1. Using green yarn, cast on 5 stitches.
2. Row 1: Knit all stitches.
3. Row 2: Purl all stitches.
4. Row 3: K1, knit front and back (kfb), k1, kfb, k1. You will now have 7 stitches.
5. Row 4: Purl all stitches.
6. Row 5: K2tog, k3, k2tog. You will now have 5 stitches.
7. Row 6: Purl all stitches.
8. Row 7: K2tog, k1, k2tog. You will now have 3 stitches.
9. Row 8: Purl all stitches.
10. Bind off all stitches.
11. Sew the leaf to the base of the stem, positioning it to one side for a natural look.

Gnome Hat (Make 1)

This jaunty, slightly floppy hat is the gnome's signature feature.

1. Using cream yarn, cast on 30 stitches.
2. Row 1 (Right Side): Knit all stitches.
3. Row 2 (Wrong Side): Purl all stitches.
4. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the piece measures 1 inch from the cast-on edge.
5. Next Row (Right Side): K2tog, k26, k2tog. You will now have 28 stitches.
6. Next Row (Wrong Side): Purl all stitches.
7. Next Row (Right Side): K2tog, k24, k2tog. You will now have 26 stitches.
8. Continue decreasing 2 stitches every right-side row (by working k2tog at the beginning and end of the row) until you have 10 stitches remaining on your needle.
9. Work even (knit on right side, purl on wrong side) for 1 inch. This creates the floppy tip of the hat.
10. Bind off all stitches.
11. Sew the side seam of the hat to form a cone shape.
12. Fold up the bottom edge of the hat by about ½ inch to create a brim.
13. Place the hat on top of the pumpkin, over the stem. Position it at a jaunty angle for extra charm. Sew the hat securely in place around the base.

Face (Optional)

Give your gnome a friendly personality!

1. Using black yarn or embroidery floss and your tapestry needle, embroider two small eyes on the front of the pumpkin body. Simple French knots or small straight stitches work perfectly.
2. Embroider a small smiling mouth below the eyes using a few backstitches or a curved line.

Finishing Touches

1. Weave in all remaining yarn ends carefully with your tapestry needle.
2. Give your gnome a gentle squeeze to shape him perfectly.

Congratulations! Your Harvest Glow Pumpkin Gnome is complete. Display him on a mantelpiece, bookshelf, or as a centerpiece to bring a touch of handmade warmth to your autumn home. This pattern is so much fun to make, you might find yourself creating a whole family of gnomes to gift to loved ones. Happy knitting!