Light slips through this pumpkin's square crochet windows while the supporting ribs keep its rounded shape. This crochet pumpkin lantern tutorial makes a removable fabric cover for a rigid LED lantern, so the cotton is decorative rather than responsible for supporting the lamp.
Design and Fit
A round squat six-rib burnt-orange cotton mesh pumpkin lantern over a rigid pumpkin-shaped LED lantern frame, olive crochet stem wrap, warm battery LED glow visible through square crochet openings. No face, no carved pumpkin, no candle. Entire handmade pumpkin visible.
Counts have been checked digitally; this original design has not been physically sample-tested. Gauge and final dimensions are estimates. Make a sample and check the assembled object before use.
Pattern Details
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Yarn Weight: DK
- Hook Size: 4 mm
- Finished Size: About 16 cm tall and 16 cm wide, determined by the rigid frame
- Gauge: Mesh gauge: 8 repeats and 9 rounds = 10 cm; swatch and match the frame before starting
- Estimated Time: 3–5 hours
- Terminology: US
Materials
- Burnt orange DK cotton, approximately 160 m; olive DK cotton, approximately 15 m
- 4 mm hook, blunt tapestry needle, scissors, six markers
- Rigid six-rib pumpkin-shaped frame approximately 16 cm tall and 51 cm at its widest circumference, with an enclosed battery LED made for that frame
- Six 45 cm orange cotton lacing strands; batteries specified by the LED manufacturer
Terms and Construction Notes
US terms: ch = chain; sc = single crochet; hdc = half double crochet; dc = double crochet; sl st = slip stitch; st(s) = stitch(es). Yarn over means wrap the working yarn over the hook. An increase here is the stated number of stitches in one base position. Mark the first actual stitch of a round. Joins and height chains never count unless a mesh space is explicitly included.
Step-by-Step Crochet
Pumpkin mesh sleeve
With burnt orange cotton, ch 80 loosely and join without twisting. There are 80 chain positions. (80 sts)
Round 1: Ch 1, sc in every chain; join to first sc. (80 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2 (not counted), repeat [dc in next sc, ch 1, skip next sc] 40 times; join to first dc. This is 40 dc plus 40 chain spaces, counted as 80 positions. (80 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2 (not counted), repeat [dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next chain space] 40 times; join to first dc. (80 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2 (not counted), repeat [dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next chain space] 40 times; join to first dc. (80 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2 (not counted), repeat [dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next chain space] 40 times; join to first dc. (80 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2 (not counted), repeat [dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next chain space] 40 times; join to first dc. (80 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2 (not counted), repeat [dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next chain space] 40 times; join to first dc. (80 sts)
Round 8: Ch 2 (not counted), repeat [dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next chain space] 40 times; join to first dc. (80 sts)
Round 9: Ch 2 (not counted), repeat [dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next chain space] 40 times; join to first dc. (80 sts)
Round 10: Ch 2 (not counted), repeat [dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next chain space] 40 times; join to first dc. (80 sts)
Round 11: Ch 2 (not counted), repeat [dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next chain space] 40 times; join to first dc. (80 sts)
Round 12: Ch 2 (not counted), repeat [dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next chain space] 40 times; join to first dc. (80 sts)
Round 13: Ch 2 (not counted), repeat [dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next chain space] 40 times; join to first dc. (80 sts)
Round 14: Ch 2 (not counted), repeat [dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next chain space] 40 times; join to first dc. (80 sts)
Round 15: Ch 1, work [sc in next dc, sc in next chain space] 40 times; join and fasten off. (80 sts)
Stem wrap
With olive, ch 9. Sc in the second chain from hook and each remaining chain. (8 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (8 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (8 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (8 sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (8 sts)
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (8 sts)
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (8 sts)
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (8 sts)
Assembly and Finishing
Switch off and remove the LED unit before fitting. Slip the mesh over the frame. Position the foundation ring at the lower neck and Round 15 at the upper neck. Thread an orange strand through every tenth stitch of each edge to gather it to the corresponding neck; knot to the frame, not the light unit. Align six mesh columns with the six rigid ribs. Lace along each rib through adjacent mesh spaces, securing the lacing at both necks; this forms pumpkin segments without pulling the sleeve against the lamp. Wrap the olive rectangle around the frame's existing stem and seam the two short sides; do not cover its switch or battery access. Reinstall the enclosed cool LED exactly as its manufacturer specifies. Do not use flame, wax candles, hot bulbs, exposed LEDs, mains wiring or a loose battery pack in yarn. If the frame or lamp does not permit a textile cover with the stated clearances and ventilation, use the pumpkin unlit. Display standing on a stable surface; the crochet stem is not a carrying handle.
Care and Display
Remove the sleeve and all electrical parts before cleaning. Hand wash cotton according to its label, reshape flat and dry completely before refitting. Turn the light off when unattended. Stop using it if the housing becomes warm or damaged.
Questions and Troubleshooting
Can I use a glass jar instead?
This sized tutorial uses a rigid pumpkin-shaped frame; a jar needs a different fit and does not produce the same ribbed silhouette.
What if the sleeve is too narrow?
Do not force it onto the frame. Match the mesh swatch first; change hook size and remake the swatch until 40 repeats span approximately 51 cm.
Can I put a candle inside?
No. Use only the compatible enclosed cool battery LED with all required clearances, or display the pumpkin unlit.
