Harvest Moon Pumpkin Pillow Free Pattern – Knit a Cozy Autumn Accent

Bring the warm glow of a harvest moon into your home with this stunning knitted pumpkin pillow. Featuring rich, earthy tones and an intricate cable texture that mimics natural pumpkin ridges, this plush accent piece is the perfect project for cozy autumn evenings. Knitted in the round with soft, chunky worsted weight yarn, this pillow is both a rewarding knitting challenge and a beautiful addition to your fall decor. Whether you're an experienced knitter looking for a satisfying project or a confident beginner ready to learn cable techniques, this pattern will guide you through every step to create a handmade treasure you'll be proud to display.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in three colors:
  • Burnt orange (Main Color – MC): approximately 400g
  • Deep teal (Contrast Color 1 – CC1): approximately 100g
  • Cream (Contrast Color 2 – CC2): approximately 50g
• Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) circular knitting needle (16-inch length) and double-pointed needles (DPNs) for smaller sections
• Notions: Stitch markers, cable needle, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors
• Filling: Polyester fiberfill (optional, for a stuffed pillow)

Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always check your gauge to ensure your pillow turns out the correct size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pumpkin pillow is knitted in the round from the bottom up, with a beautiful cable pattern that creates the illusion of pumpkin ridges. The stem is knitted separately and attached, while the leaves are crocheted for a delightful contrasting texture. Follow along carefully, and you'll have a gorgeous handmade pillow in no time.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• K: knit
• P: purl
• K2tog: knit two stitches together (decrease)
• P2tog: purl two stitches together (decrease)
• C4F: cable 4 front – slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle
• C4B: cable 4 back – slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle
• St(s): stitch(es)
• Rnd: round
• Rep: repeat

Pillow Body (Knitted in the Round)

Step 1: Cast On and Ribbing
CO 96 stitches with MC. Join in the round, being extremely careful not to twist your stitches. Place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round to mark your starting point.

Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 6 rounds. This creates a neat, stretchy edge for the bottom of your pillow.

Step 2: Begin Cable Pattern
Now you'll start the beautiful cable pattern that gives this pillow its pumpkin-like ridges. The pattern repeats 4 times around the pillow.

• Rnd 1: *K6, P2, C4F, P2, K6, P2, C4B, P2*; rep from * to * around (4 repeats total).
• Rnd 2: *K6, P2, K4, P2, K6, P2, K4, P2*; rep from * to *.
• Rnd 3: *K6, P2, K4, P2, K6, P2, K4, P2*; rep from * to *.
• Rnd 4: *K6, P2, C4B, P2, K6, P2, C4F, P2*; rep from * to *.
• Rnd 5: *K6, P2, K4, P2, K6, P2, K4, P2*; rep from * to *.
• Rnd 6: *K6, P2, K4, P2, K6, P2, K4, P2*; rep from * to *.

Repeat Rounds 1–6 until the piece measures 10 inches from the cast-on edge. This will give you a nicely proportioned pillow body.

Step 3: Shape the Top (Decrease Section)
Now you'll gradually decrease stitches to close the top of the pillow, creating that classic pumpkin shape. Follow each round carefully, keeping track of your stitch count.

• Rnd 1: *K6, P2, K2tog, K2, P2, K6, P2, K2tog, K2, P2*; rep from * to * (88 sts).
• Rnd 2: *K6, P2, K3, P2, K6, P2, K3, P2*; rep from * to *.
• Rnd 3: *K6, P2, K2tog, K1, P2, K6, P2, K2tog, K1, P2*; rep from * to * (80 sts).
• Rnd 4: *K6, P2, K2, P2, K6, P2, K2, P2*; rep from * to *.
• Rnd 5: *K6, P2, K2tog, P2, K6, P2, K2tog, P2*; rep from * to * (72 sts).
• Rnd 6: *K6, P2, K1, P2, K6, P2, K1, P2*; rep from * to *.
• Rnd 7: *K6, P2tog, P1, K6, P2tog, P1*; rep from * to * (64 sts).
• Rnd 8: *K6, P1, K6, P1*; rep from * to *.
• Rnd 9: *K2tog, K4, P1, K2tog, K4, P1*; rep from * to * (56 sts).
• Rnd 10: *K5, P1*; rep from * to *.
• Rnd 11: *K2tog, K3, P1, K2tog, K3, P1*; rep from * to * (48 sts).
• Rnd 12: *K4, P1*; rep from * to *.
• Rnd 13: *K2tog, K2, P1, K2tog, K2, P1*; rep from * to * (40 sts).
• Rnd 14: *K3, P1*; rep from * to *.
• Rnd 15: *K2tog, K1, P1, K2tog, K1, P1*; rep from * to * (32 sts).
• Rnd 16: *K2, P1*; rep from * to *.
• Rnd 17: *K2tog, P1, K2tog, P1*; rep from * to * (24 sts).
• Rnd 18: *K1, P1*; rep from * to *.
• Rnd 19: *K2tog*; rep from * to * (12 sts).

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail (at least 12 inches). Thread the tail through a tapestry needle, pass it through the remaining 12 stitches, pull tight to close the top, and secure with a knot. Weave in the end.

Stem (Knitted Flat)

Step 1: With CC1 (deep teal), CO 8 stitches.

Step 2: Work in stockinette stitch (Knit on the right side, Purl on the wrong side) for 4 inches. This will create a nice, rolled stem.

Step 3: Decrease: K2tog across the row (4 stitches), then K2tog twice (2 stitches). Cut the yarn, thread through the remaining stitches, and pull tight to secure.

Step 4: Sew the stem to the top center of the pillow, curling it slightly for a natural, organic look. Use the long tail to stitch it securely in place.

Leaves (Crocheted)

Step 1: With CC2 (cream), make a magic ring.

Step 2: Rnd 1: Ch 2 (counts as first dc), work 8 dc into the ring. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the ch-2. (8 dc)

Step 3: Rnd 2: Ch 3, work 2 dc in the same stitch, *ch 2, skip 1 stitch, 3 dc in next stitch*; rep from * to * around, ending with ch 2, skip last stitch, join with a slip stitch to the top of the ch-3. (4 leaf points)

Step 4: Rnd 3: Slip stitch into the next dc, *ch 3, work 2 dc in the same stitch, ch 2, skip the ch-2 space, 3 dc in the next dc*; rep from * to * around, join with a slip stitch. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Step 5: Sew the leaves to the base of the stem, arranging them attractively around the stem.

Finishing

• Weave in all loose ends carefully using a tapestry needle.
• Stuff the pillow firmly with polyester fiberfill before closing the top if you want a plush, 3D pillow. Alternatively, leave it unstuffed for a flat decorative piece that can be hung or displayed on a shelf.
• Optionally, add a few stitches through the center from top to bottom to create deeper ridges. Thread a long piece of MC yarn through a tapestry needle, insert it at the top center, and pull it through to the bottom center. Repeat a few times around the pillow, pulling gently to cinch the ridges, and secure the ends.

Your Harvest Moon Pumpkin Pillow is now complete! Display it on your sofa, armchair, or bed to add a touch of handmade autumn charm to your home. The rich burnt orange, deep teal stem, and cream leaves create a beautiful color palette that celebrates the season. Happy knitting!