I have another fun DIY pumpkin project for you today, friends! I am showing you how to make a yarn pumpkin out of a dollar store foam pumpkin. The results are adorable and I can’t wait for you to see them!
I love browsing my local dollar store for things that I can use in my crafts. A lot of times, you can find a decorative item that you can use as a starting point for a really fabulous decor piece. This project is a great example of what I mean.
I found foam pumpkins for a couple of dollars and decided to figure out how to make a yarn pumpkin out of one. Then I used braided yarn and some great little vintage items on my pumpkins and I love the way they turned out. I hope you do too!
How to Make a Yarn Pumpkin
There are a few ways that you can use your yarn for this project. You can use yarn on its own and wrap the pumpkin. Or you can twist it before adding it to the pumpkin body. I saw a lady who braided hers though and I loved the thickness and the texture of the braided yarn. So that is the method I went with. You can use whichever yarn method you like best though!
How to Make a Yarn Pumpkin Supply List
- Dollar store foam pumpkin
- Cream colored paint
- Paint brush
- Yarn ( I used decorative yarn)
- Hot glue gun
How to Make a Yarn Pumpkin Instructions
- Start by giving your pumpkin a coat or two of cream colored paint. I love neutral colors and a matte finish so I use Country Chic Chalk Paint for most of my projects.
- Next, remove the stem of the pumpkin and hollow out a small opening in the top of it. Then cut a similar hole in the bottom of the pumpkin.
- Next, cut three 20 inch strips of your yarn. Then tie them together at the top. Make two more of these bundles and then braid each of them. Tie the braid off at the end.
- Next tie three braided sections together at the top. Then braid them together and tie them off at the bottom.
- Now grab your glue gun and one completed section of yarn braid. Start at the top and follow a seam in the pumpkin with hot glue down to the bottom. Stick the end of your section down into the top of your pumpkin. Then push the yarn down onto the glue. Then follow the seam on the other side of the pumpkin and repeat the same process. Tuck the other end down into the top of the pumpkin.
- Continue adding your yarn braids until your pumpkin is covered. Then it’s time to dress it up!
- Use hot glue to add your stem. You can use anything you want for this. Sticks, dried pumpkin stems, spindles, or anything at all!
- Then decorate your pumpkin stem. I made a bow out of stained muslin shreds and tied it around the base of the stem. Then I added a neat vintage tag to that. You can use any of your vintage bits and bobs to do something similar.
Tips and Tricks
The easiest way for me to do all the yarn was to work in batches. I cut a ton of the ribbon sections. Then I knotted them all in sections of three. When I had a bunch of these sections, I started braiding them. Then when I had a good pile of braids I moved on to braiding the braids together.
The nice thing is that I was able to do a lot of the while sitting in front of the TV or listening to an audio book. I enjoy doing both of those things but I can’t just sit there. I know many of you are the same! So this is a great project to work on while relaxing with a show or a good book.
You Could Also Use Pre-Braided ribbon
If you aren’t crazy about the idea of doing all that braiding though, you have another option. I found some beautiful “chunky knit” ribbon at Hobby Lobby that I used for another pumpkin. I preferred the way my hand braided pumpkin turned out.
But the pre-braided pumpkin was really cute too. It looks like a corded sweater which gives it a warm cozy look for fall. So you do have another option if you don’t have the time or want to braid a bunch of ribbon. Either way you cover your pumpkin, you can still dress them up the same way.
The Wrap Up
And that’s how you make a yarn pumpkin out of a dollar store foam pumpkin. I would love to see how you use them in your own home. So if you post any pictures of your yarn pumpkins on social media, tag me so I can check them out! As always, I hope you love this project as much as I do. Happy crafting, friends!
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Very cute craft!