Supplies Needed:

• Felted Sweater Sleeve
• Stuffing
• Rubber Band
• Tapestry Needle and Crochet Thread
• Cardboard
• Brown Construction Paper
• Paper Mache Glue
• Tray for Paper Mache Glue
• Hot Glue (optional)

Step 1: Turn Sleeve inside-out. Seal off one end with a rubber band. (Suggestion: if one end of your sleeve is wider than the other, place the rubber band on the wider end.) Turn right side out with rubber band end on the inside.

Step 2: Stuff your sleeve to get a general pumpkin / ball shape. If your pumpkin is too tall, move the rubber band to have more fabric on the inside of "pumpkin."

Step 3: Using the crochet thread and needle, make a "running stitch" around the opening at the top of your pumpkin. Tighten and tie off.

Step 4: Poke your threaded needle through the pumpkin from top to bottom several times. Each time pull tightly to create lumps and bumps in your pumpkin. Keep moving around the pumpkin until you are satisfied. Tie off. Note: The rubber band will make it difficult to pull your needle out through the exact bottom of the pumpkin. You can go to the side of the rubber band, try to stay as center as you can.

Step 5: Now you have a pumpkin, but you need a stem. Tear the brown construction paper into strips. Shake the paper mache glue well and pour some out in the tray (yogurt container lid).

Step 6: Stack the cardboard pieces to form a stem that is thicker at the bottom. If you have hot glue, you can stick the cardboard together before applying the paper mache, but it is not necessary. Drag your construction paper strip through the paper mache glue, wipe off excess glue, and wrap it around the cardboard. Keep dipping, wiping, and wrapping until your stem is covered.

Step 7: Attach the stem to the top of the pumpkin. Paper Mache glue will hold it, or you can use hot glue (or tacky glue) if you have those on hand.

Note: Video to the right was created in a live Invitation to Tinker. I am editing a better video and will upload it shortly.