Scented Cabled Pumpkin

Scented Cabled Pumpkin by Scarlett Royale

Project Overview

The Scented Cabled Pumpkin is an intermediate-level loom knitting project designed to create a decorative, aromatic pumpkin ornament or seasonal decoration. This downloadable PDF pattern combines functional loom knitting techniques with the added sensory element of essential oil scenting, making it a unique craft project that appeals to both knitters and those seeking seasonal home décor.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a three-dimensional pumpkin shape using loom knitting methods. The finished piece can be filled with scented rice to produce an aromatic decoration, or with Polyfil for a purely visual ornament without fragrance. The project is suitable for display during autumn months or as a handmade gift item.

Loom and Equipment Required

The pattern calls for a 36 peg loom with 3/8" gauge, though any loom available in increments of 6 pegs will work for this project. Additional tools needed include a looming hook for manipulating stitches, stitch markers for tracking pattern progress, and a stitch holder for securing stitches during construction.

Yarn and Materials

This project uses worsted weight yarn, requiring approximately 70 to 80 yards total. The yarn weight classification ensures proper stitch definition and fabric structure on the specified loom gauge. For scenting, crafters will need rice and essential oils—specifically clove, cinnamon, and allspice essential oils at 4 drops each—along with a sandwich bag for mixing the scented rice before filling the pumpkin.

Core Loom Knitting Techniques

The Scented Cabled Pumpkin pattern employs several fundamental loom knitting stitches and techniques:

• Draw String Cast On (DSCO): The foundation method begins by weaving the working yarn back and forth between alternating pegs, leaving every other peg empty. The yarn is then laid over the empty pegs, and loops from occupied pegs are lifted over onto the adjacent empty pegs to create the initial stitch loops.
• E-Wrap (EW): This basic stitch involves wrapping the working yarn around each peg in a specific sequence, moving from back to front and returning to the back. E-Wrap creates the primary fabric structure and is repeated in rows to build the pumpkin shape.
• Increases (I): Pattern increases are created by wrapping the next available peg with yarn, effectively adding stitches to expand the width of the project during shaping.
• Decreases (D): Decreasing involves lifting existing loops from pegs and moving them to adjacent pegs, reducing stitch count to shape the pumpkin and create its characteristic rounded form.
• Draw String Bind Off (DSBO): The finishing technique requires cutting a yarn tail and threading it through every active loop on the loom. The loops are then removed from the pegs and the tail is drawn tight to secure all stitches and close the final edge.
• Flat Circular Construction: The pattern uses flat circular loom knitting methods, allowing the pumpkin to be worked in a dimensional way that creates depth and volume.

Difficulty Level and Craftsmanship

Rated as an intermediate project, the Scented Cabled Pumpkin requires familiarity with basic loom knitting fundamentals including cast-on and bind-off methods, as well as consistent execution of increases and decreases. The pattern's intermediate classification reflects the need to manage stitch count changes and maintain even tension throughout the construction process to achieve the proper pumpkin silhouette.

Finishing and Scenting

Once the pumpkin is loom knitted and bound off, crafters can customize the finished piece by preparing scented rice. This involves combining rice with clove, cinnamon, and allspice essential oils in a sandwich bag to infuse the rice with autumn fragrance. The scented rice is then used to fill the completed pumpkin, creating a decorative item that provides both visual appeal and seasonal aroma. Alternatively, the pumpkin can be filled with Polyfil for a lightweight, unscented version.