Crochet Covered Pumpkins: My Most Popular Craft

Back in 2011, I created some faux pumpkins and gourds covered with vintage crochet doilies.  Of all the craft projects I've presented on my blog, it's been the most popular.  Better Homes and Gardens Online  picked it up a while back, and it was featured in Daphne's Diary, a magazine that's popular just about everywhere except the U.S. (oh, well!)  It's a favorite at FaveCrafts, an online craft magazine, and because I used Mod Podge for Fabric for the project, it popped up at Mod Podge Rocks, too.  

Because of the popularity of my "Crochet Covered Pumpkins," I thought it deserved a re-run this year, for those of you that haven't seen it.

You'll need a grouping of doilies for this project.  These can be found at most antique malls, flea markets, and online. There are many offered in groups on Ebay.  Just do a "search" for "vintage crochet doilies." Sometimes craft stores sell new ones, but I like vintage doilies, so that's what I used.  Besides an assortment of crochet doilies in shades of white, cream, and ecru, you will need the following materials:

Dried real gourds or craft store faux pumpkins and gourds.

Mod Podge for Fabric

Paintbrush or foam brush

Spray paint in an off-white or ivory.  I used Krylon Ivory with a satin finish for my project.

Tin foil and wax paper or a paper plate

Here are a few of the pumpkins/gourds I used:

 

The image below shows how I was deciding where to place the crochet pieces on the pumpkin.  It's nice to have a pile of pieces to choose from, and you might have to cut up doilies to make them fit properly:

 I covered the stems with tin foil to avoid painting them.  You could also use masking tape:

I gave the gourds and pumpkins a couple thin coats of "Ivory" spray paint:

Place the doily pieces on a paper plate or piece of wax paper.  Coat evenly on both sides with Mod Podge for Fabric:

Place the crochet piece on your pumpkin and pat it down.  Keep going until you are satisfied with how your pumpkin looks. Allow to dry.  You're done!

 

For those of you that aren't into neutral color decorating, I can envision this project done quite differently.  You could skip the step of painting the pumpkins before applying the doilies and wait until the end when the applied doilies have dried, then spray paint the finished pumpkins any color:  pink, aqua, gold, or silver for a completely new twist......

Mitzi

Comments

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Adorable!!!! Thanks for sharing for those of us that have recently found you! Love your blog! xo
Julie :)

[Tamara @ Etcetorize]

Definitely worth a rerun. Never thought I'd say this about a gourd, but they are gorgeous~

[Donna Wilkes]

Love this, Mitzi. This weekend will be the time to gather supplies for next fall - everything on sale.

[Mitzi Curi]

Thanks, Donna! I should gather some faux pumpkins for next year.....

Mitzi