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    Home » DIY Projects

    How to Make Felted Yarn Pumpkins For Fall

    by Patti Estep · Sep 27, 2022

    Jump to How-to Card
    Yarn pumpkins in orange and white with pine cones over white pumpkin an white ball of yarn.

    Learn how to make yarn pumpkins. Use them for your fall decor now, then later you can use them in the dryer.

    Felted dryer ball yarn pumpkins

    The art of felting is something I've long admired. Some of the projects I've seen are so pretty and I love all the vibrant colors and the soft look of the wool. Of course, this technique takes some time to master, and I find myself just adding to the list.

    So this fall craft is not really about needle felted pumpkins. Instead, it's a simple project made with white and orange wool yarn that becomes felted in the process of washing and drying them. In fact, when you tire of these guys feel free to use them as dryer balls in the laundry.

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there’s no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

    Handmade yarn pumpkins and pinecones in a dough bowl.

    Making Felted Yarn Pumpkins

    Supplies

    • package of 100% Wool Roving Yarn
    • white glue
    • twigs from the yard
    Three different dryer balls
    The one on the left is all yarn. The other two are wrapped tennis balls.

    Start by wrapping pieces of yarn around each other and rolling them into a ball. I tried this process in three different ways.

    Some I made by wrapping the yarn around a tennis ball, thus leaving you with more yarn to make the second ball.

    Yarn with plastic ornament

    I also tried using a plastic Christmas ornament just because it was lighter. In the end, I like the one that was entirely yarn as they ended up with a nicer shape for the pumpkins.

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    wool blend yarn ball
    Left = 50% wool Right = 100% wool

    What Kind of Yarn Do You Use to Make the Pumpkins?

    I used three types of wool yarn for this project. The best was the roving wool yarn. The worsted wool was not a bad second choice but did not give that felted look I liked. The third (green on the left) was only 50% wool and did not work at all.

    One 100% yarn ball as a pumpkin next to one with yarn covering a tennis ball.
    The little pumpkin on the right is wrapped over a tennis ball. Both are 100% wool roving yarn.
    • Once you have created your ball of wool place it in a sock or pantyhose and tie it in a knot.
    • Run it through the washer using hot water and detergent, and then through the dryer on high heat. Feel free to wash a load of clothes with them.
    • Remove from the sock/hose and let dry.
    • To turn them into adorable yarn pumpkins, just poke a hole in the middle and glue a small twig for the stem with white glue or a hot glue gun. You could also use a piece of green pipe cleaner and curl it to create a vine.
    Hand crafted yarn pumpkins, a tree branch and some pinecones.

    This easy yarn pumpkin craft will give you cute pumpkins you can use in a dough bowl as a beautiful centerpiece, or as a nice mantle decoration.

    When you are done using the pumpkins for decoration, you can remove the stem, and use them in your dryer instead of dryer sheets.  You can even add a few drops of essential oil to scent your clothes.

    Wouldn't these adorable pumpkins make a nice gift?

    Patti signature

    More DIY Pumpkin Crafts

    • Heirloom Pumpkins with Fabric
    • Large Pumpkin Topiary
    • Primitive Fabric Pumpkins
    • Scrap Wood Pumpkins
    • Alcohol Ink Pumpkins
    Dough bowl filled with felted yarn pumpkins and pine cones for fall decor.
    Dryer ball pumpkins
    Print

    How to Make Yarn Pumpkins

    Learn how to make easy diy yarn pumpkins as a fun addition to your seasonal fall decor that can later be used as dryer balls with this easy tutorial.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Active Time1 hour hr
    Additional Time2 hours hrs
    Total Time3 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course: Home Decor Projects
    Yield: 1
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $10

    Equipment

    • Scissors
    • Washing machine
    • Clothes Dryer

    Materials

    • 100 % Wool Roving Yarn I used white and orange yarn
    • White glue
    • Twigs from the yard

    Instructions

    • Start by rolling the yarn into a ball.
    • Place it in a sock or pantyhose and tie it closed.
    • Run the yarn ball through the washing machine using hot water and detergent.
    • Then through the dryer on high heat.
    • Remove the ball from the sock/hose and let it dry completely.
    • Finally, poke a hole in the middle and glue a small twig for the stem.

    Notes

    Display your yarn pumpkins in October for Halloween all the way through Thanksgiving. Then afterward if you want you can remove the stem, and use them in your dryer instead of dryer sheets.  You can even add a few drops of essential oil to scent your clothes.
    Tried this project?Tag @hearthnvine on Instagram
    « How to Make Dried Orange Slices
    Cheesy Meatball Casserole »

    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. divya sharma

      March 17, 2017 at 1:20 am

      They are so pretty and cute. I love them Thanks for sharing.

      • Patti Estep

        March 17, 2017 at 6:44 am

        Hi Divya,

        I had be wanting to try this craft for awhile and making the pumpkins turned out to be a great fit. They still looked great a year later.
        Thanks for stopping by,
        Patti

    2. Chloe Crabtree

      August 01, 2016 at 8:42 pm

      I just found these adorable pumpkins and I love them! I have seen such cute felting projects but had no idea I could do it in the dryer...at least with balls (or pumpkins). I am going to try these! I have shared them over on FB and Twitter and pinned to my craft board. I would love it if you would come by and share these at Celebrate Your Story! Here is the link if you can come and join us: http://celebrateanddecorate.com/celebrate-story-37-2/

      • Patti Estep

        August 02, 2016 at 7:06 am

        Hi Chloe,

        So glad you like the dryer ball pumpkins. They were very fun to make.
        Have a great week!
        Patti

    3. Kelly

      September 26, 2015 at 1:24 pm

      LOVE this, Patti! Sharing!! xo

      • Patti

        September 26, 2015 at 2:59 pm

        Thanks Kelly!

    4. Hannah

      September 21, 2015 at 3:57 pm

      So cute--I love this idea!

      xx Hannah // http://www.HomemadeBanana.com

      • Patti

        September 21, 2015 at 3:59 pm

        Thanks Hanna!

    5. Carole West @ Garden Up Green

      September 20, 2015 at 8:18 am

      Very cleaver - I love this! I to would like to learn how to felt. It would be awesome since I actually have access to sheep fiber too, just not enough hours in the day right now. This project is great you're pumpkins are cute!

      • Patti

        September 20, 2015 at 9:41 am

        Thanks Carole,
        They were fun to make! One of these days we'll get a chance to learn felting. 🙂
        Have a great weekend,
        Patti

    Trackbacks

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