How to Make Yarn Pumpkins

Transform yarn and glue into charming pumpkins for a cozy fall DIY!

Hard

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These yarn pumpkins are made by wrapping glue-soaked yarn around a balloon and letting it dry hard. After deflating, you add a pipe cleaner stem for a cute, no-carve decoration. Perfect for autumn crafting!

Directions

Get your supplies ready: a balloon, orange yarn, white glue (Aleene's Tacky Glue works best), and brown and green pipe cleaners.

Inflate a 12-inch balloon to about half full. Larger balloons need more yarn; smaller ones create an egg-like shape. Find a balance.

Cut around 21 strands of yarn, each roughly 36 inches long. Use a table or ruler to measure. Longer strands can tangle when soaked in glue.

Pour glue into a small bowl. Each pumpkin uses about one 2-ounce bottle. For easier handling, add three bottles at once. (Note: Avoid dollar store white glue; a mix of half Aleene's Tacky Glue and half water gives firmer results.)

Tie one yarn strand to the balloon's end. Hang the balloon from a kitchen cabinet handle—this keeps it off flat surfaces and makes the process cleaner.

Dip a yarn strand into the glue bowl, swirling gently with a plastic fork to coat it completely. Hold the end and run the yarn between the fork's tines to remove excess glue. This leaves enough glue to hold shape without dripping. Avoid using your fingers as that removes too much glue.

Press the glue-covered yarn end onto the balloon (start at top or bottom) and wind it around, pressing down ends to secure. Repeat with all strands.

Hang the wrapped balloon to dry—for instance, in a coat closet with jackets pushed aside. Place an old towel or tarp underneath to catch drips.

Let it dry for a full 24 hours. The glue hardens nicely, leaving a firm pumpkin.

Before deflating, press your fingers under the yarn all around the balloon to detach the glue. This prevents the balloon from pulling yarn inward and ruining the shape.

Make a tiny hole near the balloon's knot to let air out slowly. As it shrinks, detach any missed yarn spots.

Once deflated, pull the balloon out through an opening in the yarn.

Create the stem and vine by wrapping pipe cleaners around your baby finger. Tuck the spiral stem into the yarn—no glue needed; it stays put. Your yarn pumpkin is done!

If using standard white glue, your pumpkin may be soft and flexible. For a firmer result, mix half Aleene's Tacky Glue with half water.