This is a very last-minute Halloween craft:  A Crochet Pumpkin Segment Ball.  We have had visitors all day – and what a nice visit it was – so I have not had time to post until now.  Not that these few extra hours will really have made a difference.  Anyone who wants to make something for Halloween will no doubt already have made it.  This ball was designed for the occasion, however, so post the pattern I will.

The pumpkin segment ball is a simplified version of my Original Crochet Amish Puzzle Ball.  It is only 6 cm high when completed, so makes for a very cute little thingy.  Yes, I did say cute.  But in keeping with the Halloween spirit, and if you are moved to do so, you can always embroider a scary face on this little crochet pumpkin.

Crochet Pumpkin Segment Ball Pattern

Materials

• 4 mm crochet hook (US G/6  UK 8)
• Double knit or worsted weight yarn (#3 or #4) in Orange and Dark Green
• Stuffing
• Yarn needle

Abbreviations

US Terminology (US/UK Conversion HERE)

• Ch – Chain
• Sc – Single crochet
• Sc2tog – Single crochet 2 together
• Sl st – Slip stitch
• St/sts – Stitch/stitches
• () – Repeat instructions between parentheses the number of times specified.

Instructions

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The wedges are basic single crochet circles worked in the round.  They are worked in a spiral, so you do not have to join at the end of each round.  Just continue around, making the first stitch of each round in the first stitch of the previous round.

A Little Help With The Lids

If you have never made one of my puzzle balls, working into the rows of the lids can be a bit daunting.  So, before I tell you how to attach the wedges (circles) to the lids, I thought I would give you a quick run-down of the lids.

Although the lids only have 14 rows, there are actually 15 “holes” along the sides of the lids.  Here’s why:  working into the second ch from the hook in row 1 of the lids causes that second ch st to gape, giving you an “extra” hole.

Attaching the Segments

To attach the lids to the wedges (circles), place one of the circles face-down (with the wrong side towards you).  Place one of the “chain of lids” on top of the circle as in the picture below.

With a slip knot already on your hook, insert your hook into the first row of the wedge lid AND any stitch around the side of the circle (so both layers) and make a sc.  Continue making a sc into each row of the lid (see photo above) and each stitch around the outside of the circle until you have worked into all the rows up the side of the lid (so 15 sc’s).  See photo below.

At this point, the lid will be standing up from the circle, sort of like a bra-cup.  This is exactly what you want it to do, so don’t fret because it’s not lying flat!

Slip stitch into the ch stitch between the two wedge lids.  Place another circle (wedge) behind the second wedge lid, again with the wrong side facing you.  Now insert your hook into the first row of the second wedge lid AND any stitch around the outside of the circle and make a sc.  Continue making a sc into each row of the lid AND each st of the circle until you have made 15 sc’s.  The last sc should fall in the last row of the wedge lid.

You will now close the wedges by working down the other side of both lids and circles.  So, starting in the same (last) row of the lid and the NEXT stitch around the outside of the circle, make 15 sc’s through both layers.  Remember to stuff as you go!

When you have stuffed and completed one wedge, sl st into the ch st between lids again and then continue working 15 sc’s through both layers of the last wedge, stuffing as you go. 

When you get to the end, ch 1 and fasten off, leaving a 15 cm (6″) yarn end.  Use your yarn needle to attach the two ends to each other so that you have a 2-wedge segment.

Repeat with the other two segments so that you end up with 3 segments, each containing 2 wedges… sort of like an orange.  Finally, attach the stem to the top of one of the segments using the 15 cm (6″) yarn end from the stem.

To assemble your teensy crochet pumpkin, just slip the segments over each other, keeping the one with the stem for last.

I’ve added a spooky border to my photo (using PicMonkey) to make this crochet pumpkin less cute, but I am afraid it hasn’t worked.

This pattern will also make a great crochet ball for a baby and a super simple puzzle for a toddler.  Why not try to make one with coloured wedges and black lids?  Like an inverted round Rubix cube…

If you are feeling more adventurous, you can always try the Mini Crochet Amish Puzzle Ball or the Crochet Kiwi Puzzle.  And if you would rather bake than crochet, have a look at my Skeleton Cookies.  They were made using a DIY cookie cutter.  Who knew empty canned-food tins could be so useful!

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