Plum Butterfly Pumpkin Pillow Crochet Free Pattern
Plum Butterfly Pumpkin Pillow Crochet Free Pattern
Introduction
This plum butterfly pumpkin pillow is a sweet little twist on classic fall decor: a round, squishy pumpkin in deep plum, dressed up with mauve ridges and two butterfly wings perched on top. It's written for crocheters who are comfortable with single crochet shaping and ready to try a slightly more involved amigurumi project. The finished pillow is about 10 inches (25 cm) across and 4 inches (10 cm) tall, soft and lightweight, with a smooth single-crochet surface that makes the mauve ridges and wings really pop. Tuck it on a shelf, a couch, or a fall tablescape for a preppy, cozy touch.
Materials Needed
- Yarn (worsted weight cotton): Color A (plum) — 200 yds; Color B (mauve) — 50 yds; Color C (dark brown) — 5 yds
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6)
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, small amount of polyester fiberfill for stuffing
- Finished size: Approx. 10 inches (25 cm) diameter, 4 inches (10 cm) tall
Abbreviations
- MR — magic ring: an adjustable loop you work the first stitches into
- sc — single crochet
- inc — increase: work 2 sc in the same stitch (adds 1 stitch)
- dec — decrease: work 2 sc together into 1 stitch (removes 1 stitch)
- ch — chain
- sl st — slip stitch
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- Rnd / R — round / row
- [ ] x6 — repeat the instructions in brackets 6 times
Gauge
16 sc x 18 rnds = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. Work a small swatch in the round and measure across the middle; if your stitches are larger than this, go down a hook size so the pillow keeps its intended size.
Tips Before You Start
- Use a stitch marker at the start of each round — the body is worked in a continuous spiral, so the beginning of the round shifts as you go.
- Stuff the body firmly but not rock-hard before closing the final rounds, so the pumpkin holds its round, slightly flattened shape.
- Keep your tension even on the increase and decrease rounds; uneven tension is the most common cause of a lumpy pumpkin.
- Lay the wings flat and pin them in place before sewing so you can check they sit symmetrically with their inner edges touching.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Pumpkin Body (Color A)
Worked in a continuous spiral in plum. Place a marker in the first stitch of each round.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts)
Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts)
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts)
Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48 sts)
Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] x6 (54 sts)
Rnd 10: [8 sc, inc] x6 (60 sts)
Rnd 11: [9 sc, inc] x6 (66 sts)
Rnd 12: [10 sc, inc] x6 (72 sts)
Rnds 13–24: sc in each st around (72 sts)
Rnd 25: [10 sc, dec] x6 (66 sts)
Rnd 26: [9 sc, dec] x6 (60 sts)
Rnd 27: [8 sc, dec] x6 (54 sts)
Rnd 28: [7 sc, dec] x6 (48 sts)
Rnd 29: [6 sc, dec] x6 (42 sts)
Rnd 30: [5 sc, dec] x6 (36 sts)
Rnd 31: [4 sc, dec] x6 (30 sts)
Rnd 32: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24 sts)
Rnd 33: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18 sts)
Rnd 34: [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts)
Rnd 35: dec x6 (6 sts)
Stuff the body firmly, then fasten off and weave the yarn tail through the final 6 stitches to close.
Ridges (Color B)
Each ridge is a 1-stitch-wide, 12-row-tall vertical line of single crochet running from Rnd 24 down to Rnd 13. Make 6 ridges in total, spaced 12 stitches apart around the body.
Ridge 1: Join B to any stitch on Rnd 24. Ch 1, sc in the same st, then sc in each st around (72 sts). Fasten off.
Ridges 2–6: Repeat Ridge 1 five more times, working each ridge in a vertical line from Rnd 24 down to Rnd 13, spaced 12 stitches apart around the body.
Wings (make 2, Color B)
Worked flat in mauve from a 6-stitch center out to 42 stitches, then decreased back to 6.
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6 sts)
Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts)
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts)
Rnds 8–10: sc in each st around (42 sts)
Rnd 11: [5 sc, dec] x6 (36 sts)
Rnd 12: [4 sc, dec] x6 (30 sts)
Rnd 13: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24 sts)
Rnd 14: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18 sts)
Rnd 15: [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts)
Rnd 16: dec x6 (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Make a second wing the same way.
Antennae (make 2, Color C)
Row 1: Ch 15, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (14 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Make 2.
Assembly and Finishing
Sew the wings to the top of the pumpkin body, positioning them symmetrically on either side of center with their inner edges touching. Sew the antennae to the top center of the pumpkin between the wings, curling the ends slightly as you go. Weave in all ends securely. Lightly steam or mist and shape the pillow and wings flat, then let it dry fully before displaying.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap plum and mauve for cream and rust for a more traditional fall palette.
- Add a small fabric or felt leaf under the wings for an extra preppy accent.
- Use a slightly larger hook for a loftier, softer pillow, or a smaller hook for a firmer, denser one.
