Get ready for spooky season with this cheerful jack o lantern granny square. A bright orange pumpkin with a smiling black face and a green stem sits in the center, surrounded by cream and orange granny clusters and a bold black frame. It is a fun and quick project for Halloween blankets, pillows, bags, coasters, and fall decor.
The diagram shows the square worked in rounds from the center outward. The pumpkin is worked first as a flat circle, the face is added on top, and then the cream, orange, and black rounds turn it into a classic granny square.
Materials
Worsted weight cotton or acrylic yarn in orange, about 20 g
Worsted weight yarn in cream, about 15 g
Worsted weight yarn in black, about 25 g
Worsted weight yarn in olive green, about 3 g
Crochet hook 4.0 mm
Tapestry needle, scissors, and stitch markers
Optional: black felt for the face
Finished Size
About 16 by 16 cm (6.5 by 6.5 inches)
Stitches Used (US Terms)
ch chain
sl st slip stitch
sc single crochet
hdc half double crochet
dc double crochet
tr treble crochet
sc2tog single crochet two together
cluster 3 double crochet worked into the same space
How to Read the Diagram
Start at the center and follow each round outward. Each small oval is a chain, each cross or plus sign is a single crochet, and each tall stitch with one bar across the post is a double crochet. The fan shapes are groups of double crochet worked into the same space. The corners are where the groups get larger to turn the circle into a square. The black shapes in the center show where the eyes and mouth go.
Part 1: The Pumpkin (orange)
Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.
Round 1: Chain 1 and work 8 single crochet in the ring. Join. You have 8 stitches.
Round 2: Chain 1 and work 2 single crochet in each stitch around. Join. You have 16 stitches.
Round 3: Chain 1, single crochet in the first stitch, and 2 single crochet in the next. Repeat around. Join. You have 24 stitches.
Round 4: Chain 1, single crochet in the next 2 stitches, and 2 single crochet in the next. Repeat around. Join. You have 32 stitches.
Round 5: Chain 1, single crochet in the next 3 stitches, and 2 single crochet in the next. Repeat around. Join. You have 40 stitches.
Round 6: Chain 1, single crochet in the next 4 stitches, and 2 single crochet in the next. Repeat around. Join. You have 48 stitches.
Your pumpkin should now measure about 9 cm across. Fasten off.
Part 2: The Stem (green)
Chain 7.
Row 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. You have 6 stitches.
Row 2: Chain 1 and single crochet across. Fasten off and leave a tail.
Roll the stem slightly and sew it to the top of the pumpkin so it points upward.
Part 3: The Face (black)
Eyes (make 2): Chain 4. Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook, then half double crochet in the next chain, and 3 double crochet in the last chain. Continue along the other side with half double crochet and single crochet. This makes a small triangle. Fasten off.
Mouth: Chain 14. Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. Chain 1 and single crochet in the first 5 stitches, then chain 2 and skip 2 stitches to make the tooth gap, then single crochet in the last 6 stitches. Fasten off. Curve the mouth into a smile.
Sew the eyes and mouth to the pumpkin with black yarn. For a quicker option, cut the shapes from black felt and glue or stitch them on.
Part 4: Cream Granny Round
Round 7: Join cream in any stitch of the pumpkin. Chain 3 and work 2 double crochet in the same stitch. Skip 3 stitches and work 3 double crochet in the next stitch. Repeat around. Join. You have 12 clusters.
Tip: Skip the stitches where the stem is attached, so the stem sits neatly at the top.
Part 5: Orange Granny Round
Round 8: Join orange in any space between cream clusters. Chain 3 and work 2 double crochet in the same space. Work 3 double crochet in each space between clusters around. Join. You have 12 clusters.
Part 6: Squaring the Round (cream)
Round 9: Join cream in any space. Now place 4 stitch markers evenly to mark the corners.
In the corner spaces, work 3 double crochet, chain 2, and 3 double crochet.
In the side spaces, work 3 double crochet.
Join. You now have a square shape.
Part 7: Orange Corner Round
Round 10: Join orange in any corner space. Chain 3 and work 2 double crochet, chain 2, and 3 double crochet in the corner. Work 3 double crochet in each side space. Repeat for all corners. Join and fasten off.
Part 8: The Black Frame
Round 11: Join black in any corner space. Chain 3 and work 2 double crochet, chain 2, and 3 double crochet in the corner. Work double crochet in each stitch along the sides. Repeat for all corners. Join.
Round 12: Chain 3 and work double crochet in each stitch along the sides, with 3 double crochet, chain 2, and 3 double crochet in each corner space. Join.
Round 13: Chain 1 and work single crochet in each stitch around, with 3 single crochet in each corner space. Join and fasten off.
You will see small openings at the corners, just like in the photo.
Blocking
Lightly dampen the square and pin it flat with straight edges and sharp corners. Let it dry completely.
Ways to Use Your Jack O Lantern Square
Join several squares with plain black and orange squares for a Halloween blanket.
Sew two squares together over a cushion insert for a spooky pillow.
Join 10 squares to make a fun trick or treat bag.
Use one square as a coaster or a hot pad.
Join a row of squares for a Halloween table runner.
Color Ideas
White pumpkin with a black face for a ghostly look
Purple frame with a green pumpkin for a fun monster style
Cream frame with a pale orange pumpkin for a soft autumn feel
Glow in the dark yarn for the face for a night time surprise
Tips for Success
Keep the pumpkin circle flat by counting your stitches in every round.
If the circle starts to ruffle, go down one hook size.
Sew the face before starting the granny rounds, so it is easier to handle.
Use stitch markers at the corners in Round 9 to keep the square even.
Final Thoughts
This jack o lantern granny square is quick, fun, and full of Halloween spirit. Make a whole stack for a cozy seasonal blanket, or pair it with ghost, bat, and pumpkin squares for a spooky sampler. Share your finished squares in the comments below. We would love to see your happy pumpkins!