Cozy season, here we come! This little crochet pumpkin coaster works up fast, uses just scraps of yarn, and looks adorable sprinkled across your coffee table—or strung into a quick garland for fall.

The base is a simple flat circle in hdc with easy shaping to suggest pumpkin lobes, then a tiny stem and leaf in brown yarn and green.

Add optional surface “ribs,” or keep it clean and simple.

Either way, this one-sitting make is beginner-friendly and giftable.

Before You Get Started

A few tips to set you up for success:

Choose 100% cotton: it’s absorbent (great for drinks), lies flat, and handles moisture well. But any DK yarn will do.
Use a 4.0 mm (G/6) hook (or size for a neat, flat fabric).
Gauge isn’t critical—just aim for a flat circle. If it ripples, go down a hook size; if it cups, go up a size or add an increase round.
Make one… then make a set for gifts! These also look cute appliquéd as an applique on blankets, totes, or potholders.

Tools/Materials Needed

DK weight yarn in pumpkin orange/30-40g
Small scraps of brown yarn (stem) and green (leaf)
4.0 mm (G/6) crochet hook
Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker

Skill level: Beginner

Finished size: ~10–14 cm / 4–4.5-5″ across (easily adjusted)

Abbreviations (US Terms)

ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
hdc inc = (2 hdc in next st)
dc = double crochet
MR = magic ring
inc = increase (2 sts in same st)
st(s) = stitch(es)
BLO = back loop only

Notes

Work the coaster base in joined rounds; ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
Cotton helps the coaster lie flat and handle condensation.
For a more pumpkin-y look, add the optional surface slip-stitch “ridges.”

How To Crochet The Pumpkin Coaster

This step-by-step walks you through a tidy, flat base with two gentle shaping rounds to suggest pumpkin lobes.

The shaping keeps counts clear (no guesswork!).

Pumpkin Base (Orange)

Rnd 1: MR, ch 1, 8 hdc into ring, tighten, sl st to first hdc. (8)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 hdc in each st around, sl st to first hdc. (16)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, (hdc inc, hdc in next st) rep around, sl st. (24)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, (hdc inc, hdc in next 2 sts) rep around, sl st. (32)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, (hdc inc, hdc in next 3 sts) rep around, sl st. (40)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, (hdc inc, hdc in next 4 sts) rep around, sl st. (48)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, (hdc inc, hdc in next 5 sts) rep around, sl st. (56)

Stop here for a simple round coaster, or continue with the shaping rounds below for a subtle pumpkin silhouette.

Gentle Pumpkin Shaping

Rnd 8 (BLO): Ch 1, sc in next 6, (hdc in next 7, hdc inc) x 2; sc 12, (hdc 7, hdc inc) x 2; sc 6, sl st to join. (60 sts total; +4 increases this round)

Why this works: 2 increases on each “side” of the pumpkin = +4 stitches overall, softly widening the sides.

Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc 6, dc 5, (dc 4, dc inc) × 2, dc 3, sc 12, dc 5, (dc 4, dc inc) × 2, dc 3, sc 6, sl st to join. (64 sts total; +4 increases this round)

This round smooths the edge and slightly accentuates the lobes with taller dc on the sides.

Fasten off orange. We’ll add the stem at the round join so it sits at the “top.”

Want a larger coaster/trivet? Add one or two more increase rounds after Rnd 7 before you shape (e.g., Rnd 8: (hdc inc, hdc 6) = 64; Rnd 9: (hdc inc, hdc 7) = 72), then work the shaping logic similarly (keep increases balanced on each side).

Stem (Brown)

Join brown yarn at the round join (top of pumpkin).
Stem: Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 4 ch (5 sc total). Sl st back into the same top stitch on the coaster to anchor.
Fasten off and weave the brown tail down the back of the stem to firm it up.

Leaf (Green) + Optional Tendril

Join green 1–2 stitches to the right or left of the stem base (where it looks nicest).
Leaf: Ch 6; working back along the chain: sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch.
Rotate slightly and sl st into the stem base stitch (or adjacent stitch) to tack the leaf in place.
Fasten off and weave in.

Optional curly vine: After tacking the leaf, ch 12; work 2 sc in each ch back to the base (it will curl like a vine). Sl st to the base and fasten off.

Optional Pumpkin Ridges (Surface Slip Stitches)

With orange (or a slightly darker orange), create 4–5 evenly spaced vertical lines:

Insert hook near the center (Rnd 1), yarn over with working yarn, pull up a loop.
Surface sl st straight out toward the edge, following a column of stitches; keep tension relaxed.
Fasten off on the last round and weave ends on the back.
Repeat to make several “ribs.”

Blocking (Optional)

Light steam or wet block to flatten.

Shape the stem and leaf neatly while drying.

Adjustments & Variations

Bigger/Smaller: Add/remove an increase round before the shaping rounds.
Two-tone rim: Switch to a lighter/darker orange for Rnd 9 for a subtle outline.
Textured ribs (no surface crochet): Work Rnds 3–5 in BLO to build in soft ridges.
Applique: Make the pumpkin without the stem/leaf and stitch it as an applique onto totes, blankets, or placemats.

Quick Troubleshooting

Rippled edges: Hook is too large or you added extra stitches—go down a hook size or recount.
Cupping: Hook is too small—go up a hook size or add one more increase round before shaping.
Ridges too tight: Keep surface sl sts loose; they should sit on top, not pull the fabric.

Grab all 7 of my Halloween Crochet Patterns here…

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Free Printable

Want to keep this tutorial handy while you crochet? Grab the free printable version of the pattern below!

Whether you’re curled up on the couch or crafting on the go, this easy-to-follow card makes it simple to work through each round at your own pace.

Yield: Crochet pumpkin coaster

Crochet Pumpkin Coaster

Make a quick fall favorite with this beginner Crochet Pumpkin Coaster tutorial—worked in hdc with a tiny stem, leaf, and optional curly vine.

Learn the exact stitches, simple shaping, and finishing in minutes.

Perfect as coasters, an applique on blankets, or strung into a cozy garland—grab your hook, a bit of brown yarn, and let’s go (with a touch of dc for polish).

Prep Time 10 minutes

Active Time 20 minutes

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Difficulty Basic/Beginner

Estimated Cost $10

Materials

DK weight yarn in pumpkin orange/30-40g
Small scraps of brown yarn (stem) and green (leaf)

Tools

4.0 mm (G/6) crochet hook
Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker