Last weekend, my sister and I spent the afternoon walking through a local fall festival. There were handmade wreaths, caramel apples, stacks of pumpkins, and every kind of Halloween decoration you could imagine. One vendor had the cutest display of smiling ghosts tucked inside pumpkins, and we both stopped to admire it. My sister looked at me and said, “You need to crochet one of those.” By the time we got home, the idea was already stuck in my head.

That evening, after everything had quieted down, I headed to my craft room and searched through my yarn baskets. I found just enough plush chenille yarn in orange, white, and brown to give it a try. I put on my favorite playlist, settled into my chair, and started crocheting. Watching the tiny ghost peek out from the top of the pumpkin made me smile with every few rows. It was one of those projects that came together so naturally that I finished it in a single evening.

I’m excited to share this Free Amigurumi Pattern Cute Ghost in Pumpkin with you today. It’s a fun, beginner-friendly project that’s perfect for celebrating the cozy fall season. Whether you’re decorating your home, making gifts for friends, or adding something special to your craft fair table, this adorable little ghost in a pumpkin is sure to be a favorite. Grab your favorite hook, gather your plush yarn, and let’s crochet this charming Halloween friend together.

Materials Needed

• Brown, white, & orange yarn (I use Parfait Chunky)
• Optional pink & green yarn
• Crochet hook (I use a 4.5mm)
• Safety eyes (I use 12mm)
• Stuffing
• Scissors
• Stitch marker
• Yarn needle

Abbreviations

• BO = bobble stitch
• DEC = decrease
• FLO = front loop only
• FO = fasten off
• INC = increase
• MR = magic ring
• R = Round
• SC = single crochet
• SL ST = slip stitch
• ST(S) = stitch(es)

Pattern Instructions

Stem & Ghost

• Begin with the stem of the pumpkin using brown yarn.
• Round 1: Work 4 single crochet into a magic ring (4 stitches).
• Rounds 2-3: Single crochet in each stitch around (4 stitches).
• Change color to white: leave 2 loops on the hook, do not complete the last single crochet, cut the brown yarn, pull through white yarn, and tie the two short tails together inside to secure.
• Round 4: Working in the front loops only, work 3 single crochet into each stitch around (12 stitches).
• Round 5: Repeat (1 single crochet, 1 increase) 6 times (18 stitches).
• Round 6: Repeat (2 single crochet, 1 increase) 6 times (24 stitches).
• Rounds 7-9: Single crochet in each stitch around (24 stitches for 3 rounds).
• Round 10: 9 single crochet, 1 bobble stitch, 4 single crochet, 1 bobble stitch, 9 single crochet (24 stitches).
• Note: Each bobble stitch consists of 6 loops on your hook.
• Insert 12mm safety eyes between Round 8 and Round 9, leaving 2 to 3 visible stitches between them.
• Note: Place the eyes directly above the bobble stitches and centered between the arms.
• Round 11: Decrease 12 times (12 stitches).

Pumpkin Body

• Change color to orange.
• Round 12: Working in the front loops only, work 3 single crochet into each stitch around (36 stitches).
• Rounds 13-15: Single crochet in each stitch around (36 stitches for 3 rounds).
• Round 16: Repeat (4 single crochet, 1 decrease) 6 times (30 stitches).
• Rounds 17-18: Single crochet in each stitch around (30 stitches for 2 rounds).
• Begin stuffing the head section.
• Round 19: Repeat (3 single crochet, 1 decrease) 6 times (24 stitches).
• Round 20: Repeat (2 single crochet, 1 decrease) 6 times (18 stitches).
• Stuff the body generously.
• Round 21: Repeat (1 single crochet, 1 decrease) 6 times (12 stitches).
• Finish adding stuffing if needed.
• Ensure all yarn tails from previous color changes are trimmed and tucked inside.
• Round 22: Decrease 6 times (6 stitches).
• Fasten off, leaving an extra-long yarn tail for shaping the pumpkin ribs.
• Thread your needle through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close the opening.

Sewing the Ribbing

• Use the long orange yarn tail to form the pumpkin ridges.
• Insert your yarn needle into the top of the pumpkin where it joins the ghost base.
• Pull the needle out through the bottom center point where you closed the opening.
• Re-insert the needle back through the bottom center point every time you create a new rib line.
• Gently pull the yarn tail taut to indent the side of the pumpkin until the exterior line disappears into the crease.
• Shift to a new position about 5 to 6 stitches away from the previous rib and repeat the threading process.
• Repeat this indenting process 5 to 6 times around the pumpkin (spaced about 6 stitches apart for a total of 5 ribs).

Final Touches

• Weave in the remaining yarn tail securely to finish off the pumpkin.
• Verify that your pumpkin features distinct, visible ridges.
• Optional: Add a green tendril vine by making a slip knot with green yarn on the side of the stem, chaining 8, and working 3 single crochets into each chain starting from the second chain from the hook (21 single crochets total).
• Optional: Embroider blush lines right beside and below each eye using pink yarn (about one stitch wide).

Tips for Success

• Secure plush yarn joins tightly: When working with chenille or super bulky yarn, make sure to knot your color change tails together firmly inside the plush so they do not slip out later.
• Keep tension consistent on bobbles: The bobble stitches form the ghost’s cute little hands, so pull each loop evenly to ensure both arms turn out the exact same size.
• Double-check safety eye washers: Before stuffing the head tightly, push the safety eye backings until they click completely into place so they stay secure.
• Stuff in small pinches: Add polyester fiberfill in small pieces, focusing around the neck transition to keep the head upright without making the plush lumpy.
• Pull ribbing tails firmly: When creating the pumpkin ridges, give the yarn tail a firm, steady tug to create deep, defined sections, but avoid pulling so hard that the yarn snaps.
• Use strong matching yarn for shaping: If your plush orange yarn tends to break when pulled tight, thread your needle with a smooth, heavy-duty acrylic or cotton yarn in a matching shade just for the ribbing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of yarn works best for this project?

Super bulky chenille or velvet yarn, like Parfait Chunky, works wonderful because it hides stitches well and creates a soft, squishy finished plush.

Can I use regular medium weight acrylic yarn instead?

Yes, you can use worsted weight yarn with a smaller hook, such as a 3.5mm, which will make a smaller, equally adorable mini pumpkin ghost.

How do I stop my magic ring from snapping with plush yarn?

To prevent plush yarn from breaking, chain 2 and work your initial single crochets directly into the second chain from your hook instead of pulling a magic ring closed.

How do I keep the ghost upright on top of the pumpkin?

Packing enough stuffing firmly into the neck transition area during rounds 19 through 21 helps support the head so it does not tilt.

Do I have to add the green tendril and pink blush?

While optional, adding embroidered pink blush and the green curly vine gives your plush extra personality and charm.

Conclusion

I hope you have so much fun making this Free Amigurumi Pattern Cute Ghost in Pumpkin for your home or as a sweet gift. It is such a delightful weekend project that comes together in just a couple of hours. Happy crocheting!