A whimsical spiral garland that alternates tiny smiling ghosts and jolly jack-o-lantern pumpkins along a navy spiral rope. This pattern uses small amigurumi shapes, simple facial embroidery, and an internal wire or cord for a stable hanging spiral. Perfect for seasonal decor, door frames, mantels, or spooky cute displays.
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— Notes & Gauge :
Info :
This pattern is written in US terms. Gauge is flexible for decorative garland; however, for tight amigurumi fabric, work with a firm tension so stuffing does not show through. Using 3.25–3.5mm hook with worsted yarn will create small motifs similar to the photos. Measurements: each ghost is approximately 3.0-3.5 cm tall; pumpkins approx 3.0-3.5 cm diameter; spiral rope diameter approx 1.0-1.4 cm. Make one ghost and one pumpkin to practice before making the full garland.
— Ghost (Head & Body) :
Round 3 :
(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Round 4 :
(2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Round 5 :
(3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
Round 6 :
(4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
Round 7 :
(5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)
Round 8 :
(6 sc, inc) x 6 (48)
Round 9-12 :
1 sc in each st (48)
Info :
Place safety eyes between rounds 10-11, approximately 8-10 stitches apart depending on how wide you want the face. For a cute look use 6-8 stitches apart for smaller eyes. Use stitch markers to mark the center front for facial placement.
Round 13 :
(6 sc, dec) x 6 (42)
Round 14 :
(5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)
Info :
Begin check-fitting eyes and embroider smile now if using black yarn for the mouth. If using safety eyes, secure their washers now but do not fully stuff until you confirm placement and expression.
Round 15 :
(4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
Round 16-18 :
1 sc in each st (30)
Info :
Start stuffing the body firmly but not overly tight. The ghost should be soft and slightly squishy; add fiberfill a little at a time to avoid lumps and to keep the round dome smooth.
Round 19 :
(1 sc, inc) x 15 (45)
Round 20 :
1 sc in each st (45)
Info :
Round 19 creates extra flare to form the ghost's skirt. Adjust the number of increases if you want a wider or narrower skirt; keep stitch counts consistent in following rounds.
Round 21 :
1 sc in each st (45)
Round 22 :
1 sc in each st (45)
Info :
For a slightly ruffled edge without changing stitch count, make picot loops on the next round by chaining 2 and slip stitching back into the same stitch after each sc. This keeps counts the same but produces a pretty wave.
Round 23 :
(sc in next st, ch 2, sl st in same st) x 45 (45)
Round 24 :
FO leaving a 15-20 cm tail for sewing and attaching to hanging cord; weave tail into last round and knot if desired (45)
Info :
Finish stuffing as you close; the skirt should be lightly stuffed (a little fiberfill inside the flare) but the main fullness is in the dome. Weave tail through front loops of the last round and pull to close slightly if you want a flatter bottom edge before sewing onto the hanging line.
— Ghost Arms (Make 2) :
Round 3-5 :
1 sc in each st (12)
Info :
Arms are tiny and slightly curved. You can insert a small piece of wire to pose the arm if you want it to wave; wrap the wire in a little fiberfill before continuing to avoid poking through the yarn.
Round 6 :
(2 sc, dec) x 3 (9)
Round 7 :
1 sc in each st (9)
Round 8 :
FO leaving a long tail for sewing (9)
Info :
Stuff the arm lightly; the fingers on this ghost are suggested by a slight flattening or an embroidery line rather than separate tiny fingers. Sew arms to the sides of the ghost body between rounds 12-15 of the head/body section so they sit about one third down from the crown.
— Pumpkin Body :
Round 3 :
(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Round 4 :
(2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Round 5 :
(3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
Round 6 :
(4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
Round 7 :
(5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)
Round 8-14 :
1 sc in each st (42)
Info :
These even rounds create a full, rounded pumpkin. Work tightly and keep consistent tension so the pumpkin holds shape. If you'd like a slightly smaller pumpkin, stop increases earlier and proceed to even rounds sooner.
Round 15 :
(5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)
Round 16 :
(4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
Round 17-20 :
1 sc in each st (30)
Info :
Begin to stuff the pumpkin firmly at this point. Small amounts of stuffing will create a nice firm ball; avoid overfilling, you want some give so the embroidered grooves can pull the fabric in slightly to mimic pumpkin segments.
Round 21 :
(3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
Round 22 :
(2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
Round 23 :
(1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Round 24 :
6 dec (6) — leave a 20-25 cm tail for closing and for sewing to the hanging line; do not completely close before attaching stem (6)
Info :
After stuffing and before completely closing, insert a short loop of thin cord or hanging thread through the top center to secure the pumpkin on the hanging line. Also, to create pumpkin grooves, embroider 6 vertical lines from top to bottom using doubled black or deep orange yarn and a yarn needle, then pull gently and tie off inside to create segmenting. Alternatively, use a thin green/brown embroidery to accent segments very lightly.
— Pumpkin Stem :
Round 3-6 :
1 sc in each st (12)
Round 7 :
(2 sc, dec) x 3 (9)
Round 8 :
(1 sc, dec) x 3 (6)
Round 9 :
FO leaving a 15 cm tail for sewing (6)
Info :
Sew the stem to the top center of the pumpkin before fully cinching the top closed if possible. Stuff the stem very lightly or leave unstuffed to keep it short and upright. You can create a slightly twisted stem by crocheting one or two extra rounds FLO for texture.
— Spiral Rope / Cord (Make 1 long spiral) :
Info :
This spiral forms the visible navy rope that wraps in a helix. Use a thin flexible wire (12-16 gauge) or heavy craft cord as a core and crochet a tight tube around it. The tube is worked as continuous rounds of the same stitch count to create a consistent diameter. Gauge: 12 sc around produces a rope approx 1.0-1.4 cm diameter depending on yarn; increase to 16 sc for thicker rope.
Round 3-6 :
1 sc in each st (12)
Info :
After round 6 you will have a small cylinder. Begin inserting your wire/core through the center before continuing the long even rounds. If you prefer a removable core, push the wire through after about 10 rounds when the tube is stable.
Round 7-120 :
1 sc in each st (12) — continue for desired length (recommended 110-130 rounds depending on how many spirals you want). For the project in the photo, make approximately 110–125 rounds to allow three ghosts and three pumpkins spaced comfortably in a spiral.
Info :
To make a long rope manageable, work in continuous rounds (do not join) and use a stitch marker to mark every 20 rounds for counting. You may prefer to crochet multiple shorter tubes and seam them together inside the core if your wrist prefers shorter sessions.
Round 121 :
FO leaving a long tail for wrapping the ends and creating a hanging loop (12)
Info :
If your core is wire, bend one end into a loop for hanging. Wrap the yarn tail around the loop and sew into place to hide the core. If using craft cord, make a small loop at the top by folding the cord and sewing a few passes with yarn.
— Eyes, Mouths & Facial Details :
Info :
Choose 5–6 mm safety eyes for the pumpkins and ghosts. For child-safe toys you may prefer to embroider eyes using black yarn. The mouths on the ghosts in the photo are embroidered with black yarn into a broad smile; pumpkins show small triangle or curved mouths. Attach or embroider while the head is still open enough to reach inside for securing washers and ensuring stitches are hidden.
Round 1 :
For embroidered mouth: use tapestry needle and black yarn, stitch two small straight stitches for the corners then a curved backstitch across to make a smile. Secure ends inside and knot, then weave in tails.
Round 2 :
For pumpkin face: position safety eyes between round 9-11 and embroider a small nose and mouth with black yarn (or use 3 mm safety nose if you have one). Leave a small negative space between eyes and mouth to keep the face centered.
Info :
Placement tip: measure 4–6 stitches from the center front for each eye and ensure the same spacing top to bottom. Use pins to test look before securing eyes or embroidery.
— Assembly & Hanging Line Attachment :
Round 1 :
Decide spacing: for 3 ghosts + 3 pumpkins alternating, allow 12-15 rounds of rope between each motif for looping into the spiral. Mark these positions on the rope with removable pins or stitch markers before sewing.
Info :
To achieve the spiral look in the photo, wrap the rope around the core gently into a helix; if your core is wire you can bend into a spiral and then slide the rope into the coil pockets so motifs sit centered between coils. Use thin fishing line or sewing thread to hang each motif from the core through the center of the rope for an invisible look.
Round 2 :
Sew pumpkin and ghost tops to a short length of hanging thread (approx 10-15 cm each) before attaching to the rope. Thread the hanging line through the top center of each motif and knot securely at the top inside the motif to hide the knot. Leave the other end of the hanging line free for attachment to the rope.
Round 3 :
At each marked rope position, pierce the rope core carefully with a tapestry needle and bring the hanging line through from inside the rope to the outside. Adjust motif height so it sits centered within the spiral coil and tie the hanging line inside the rope or secure with a few tight mattress stitches. Trim excess thread and hide by weaving back into rope.
Info :
Alternate ghost and pumpkin as you go: the photos show ghost above each pumpkin. Make sure motifs face outward when rope is hung; rotate slightly as you secure each hanging loop to orient faces correctly.
Round 4 :
Finish the top loop: fold rope end around itself to create a hanging loop and whipstitch it in place with the tail end; hide the wire inside and secure with a few wraps of yarn. Optionally add a final decorative bow or bead at the top loop.
Info :
When completing the garland, hold it up and check overall balance. Move motifs slightly along the rope if necessary to even out spacing before permanently securing knots. For extra durability, add a dab of fabric glue to hidden knots inside the rope core.
This charming garland combines tiny amigurumi pumpkins and ghosts with a bold navy spiral to create an instant Halloween display. Each motif is small, quick to make, and full of personality with smiling faces and playful arms. The spiral rope holds shape beautifully when given a wire core and becomes a dramatic backdrop for the happy motifs. 🧶 Hang it across a mantle, doorway, or windowsill and enjoy the handmade holiday cheer it brings. 🎃👻
