Sweater Sleeve Pumpkins

I’m out visiting family in Colorado this past week and a half.  Actually I am nannying a sweet 16 month old great nephew while his parents take a 10th anniversary tropical vacation.

Here is my charge Brady and he runs 90 to nothing about 95% of the time he is awake!  He is so sweet and snuggly unless of course he has something to investigate.  Then Brady is a boy with a mission!  He is a great assistant!

This was my office while Brady took his middle of the day naps, taking in the beautiful Colorado scenery.  My sis was with me for part of this trip so we hit the Restore and Goodwill stores as we came across them. 

I found this awesome (but not wool :( ) variegated sweater in shades of oranges and a vague shade of pink here and there.  I cut about 6-8 inch segments of the sleeves to make the pumpkins, just straight across both thicknesses of the sleeve. 

With the sleeve right sides together stitch up what will be the bottom of the pumpkin with a long running stitch and heavy thread, then turn right side out.  Now stuff the pumpkin with Polyfil stuffing. You can make it as big or little as you want by adding more or less stuffing.  Now gather the top of the pumpkin with a long running stitch and heavy thread. 

This one I gathered the top really snug and used it as the stem, wrapping it with jute twine. I used the green mohair/wool sweater I found at Goodwill to make the leaves.  I just printed off a an outline of a pumpkin leaf and made two sizes.

I added curly willow branch cuttings for the pumpkin tendrils.

These all came from that same pumpkin…you can see the variations in color.  I got two pumpkins out of each sleeve and I made two more “sleeves” from the front and back of the sweater.

I added them to a newly spray painted plum color basket.

I may be linking to these great parties!