Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. As soon as September hits, I pull out my favorite oversized sweater, grab a mug of tea, and start thinking about how I can cozy up the house. This year, I wanted to lean into that warm, rustic vibe, and what better way to do it than with pumpkins? Not just any pumpkins though—yarn pumpkins! They’re easy to make, budget-friendly, and add that extra touch of handmade charm to your décor. I tried three different ways to make them, and honestly, if I can pull these off, anyone can.
The Toilet Paper Roll Trick
Okay, so this method… I’m actually kinda proud of it. I’ve done plenty of DIYs, and let me tell you, not all have gone smoothly (there was that time I glued my fingers together trying to make a wreath). But this one? Super simple. All you need is a toilet paper roll, yarn, and some stuffing. If you’re like me and constantly have random craft supplies floating around the house, you’re probably set. I even ended up using some old pillow filling as stuffing.
First, I cut the toilet paper roll into two strips. I’m not about precision, so I eyeballed it—one wider (about 5.5 cm) and the other narrow (1 cm). No ruler? No problem! The yarn covers all your "mistakes," so you’re safe.
Place a little holofiber or stuffing on the wider strip. You could glue it down if you’re a perfectionist, but honestly, I was too excited to bother. Just wrap, wrap, wrap!.
I grabbed my orange yarn (classic pumpkin vibes), and started wrapping it around the wider strip, which I’d stuffed with, yep, old pillow fluff.
Once the yarn covered everything, I secured the ends with my trusty glue gun. Hot glue and I have a love-hate relationship, but I use it all the time. Spoiler: I used a lot of glue. Like, more than necessary. But I’ll take extra glue over an unraveling pumpkin any day!.
By slightly bending the top and bottom edges of the strip, you start to give it that classic, round pumpkin shape.
For the stem, I wrapped the smaller strip of the roll in green yarn and twisted it into a little spiral. Easy peasy.
Oh, and I even snuck outside to grab a twig for some extra fall flair. Who knew a twig could elevate the whole thing? Seriously, try it—you’ll feel like a craft genius. And if you run out of stuffing, don’t stress. One time, in a similar craft, I straight-up used an old sock for the core, and guess what? No one noticed.
Always make a bunch of these cuties! In the end, you'll show you some cool arrangements you could make with them.
The Hair Bun Donut Pumpkin (Yeah, Really)
So, here’s the deal: grab one of those foam hair donuts—you know, the ones people use to get those perfect, ballerina-style buns. If you don’t already have one stashed away in your bathroom, they’re cheap and easy to find. When I first heard about this method, I was like, “Huh? Hair accessories for pumpkins?” But it turned out super cute. I’ll be real with you—this takes a bit longer than the toilet paper roll trick, but the donut shape makes for a perfect round pumpkin.
Once you’ve got your donut, start wrapping your yarn through the center. You’ll be going around and around (and around…), pulling the yarn tightly each time so it covers the foam completely.
Once the donut is fully wrapped, use a needle to thread the yarn through the middle a few times to give it that classic pumpkin shape. You can use another color to make it even more interesting. I like to pull the yarn nice and tight to create those ridges pumpkins have. You know the ones I’m talking about? That classic pumpkin look with little indents? Yeah, you can totally mimic that just by adjusting the tension on the yarn. It’s one of those small details that makes a big difference.
Now, finishing touches! Cut a small leaf out of felt—green is a solid choice, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can switch it up with a deep mustard or burgundy felt. I’ve tried both, and they both scream fall. Glue that baby onto the top of your pumpkin.
Grab a twig from outside or, if you’re feeling extra fancy, a cinnamon stick. Pop it in the center for the stem, and you’re done!.
DIY Styrofoam Ball Yarn Pumpkin
I’ll be honest—this method takes a bit more time and patience, but the payoff? Totally worth it, especially if you want a bigger, more dramatic pumpkin for your fall décor. I used a 10 cm Styrofoam ball for mine, and let’s just say it’s the pumpkin that gets noticed.
Start by cutting off small slices from the top and bottom of your Styrofoam ball so it’s slightly flattened. I used a craft knife and let’s just say, I was a bit nervous I’d end up cutting off more than I should. Take your time with this part.
In the center of the flattened ball, carve out a little hole. This is where you’ll start threading the yarn.
Take a long piece of yarn (make sure it’s long enough—you’ll be using a lot) and start threading it through the hole, wrapping it tightly around the ball. I used a big darning needle to make this part easier, but you could probably manage without if you're patient. I've used somewhere between 15 and 20 meters of yarn.
Keep wrapping until the entire ball is covered in yarn. It’s gonna take a little while, but turn on some music or a podcast—it’s worth it.
As usual, I couldn't leave it without a twig.
For the finishing touch, I made a little curly vine out of pipe cleaners. I wrapped one around a pencil to get that perfect spiral and glued it along with a twig on top of the pumpkin.
These cuties look amazing as part of a fall centerpiece or even mixed into a cozy arrangement on a mantel.
The absolute best thing about these DIY yarn pumpkins? They don’t have to be perfect to look super cute. Seriously, no one’s going to notice if your yarn isn’t wrapped perfectly or if your stem’s a little crooked. They have this lovely handmade charm that makes them feel cozy, no matter what. Plus, you can switch up the colors and textures to match whatever fall vibe you’re going for. I’ve done classic orange, but also some fun mustard yellows and even a deep browns—it’s fall, so anything goes, right?
All these yarn pumpkins shine when they’re part of a larger display. Try mixing them with some smaller pumpkins (whether yarn, real, or faux), pinecones, and even a few candles. The different sizes and textures come together to create that perfect autumn centerpiece—one that looks like you spent hours curating, but really, it’s all about throwing a bunch of pretty things together and hoping for the best. And guess what? It works!