If you love simple, inexpensive fall crafts, these DIY twine pumpkins are an easy project to add to your autumn decor. Made with just a few basic dollar-store supplies, these rustic pumpkins have a natural farmhouse look and can be customized in different sizes and colours.
Supplies List
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- Wired Jute twine
- For fall colours, use Wired Jute Florat Rope
- Unwired jute twine
- A cardboard or plastic tube
- Scissors
- Wire Cutters
- Hot glue gun and glue
- Small piece of craft felt
- Small stick, twig, or piece of cinnamon stick for the pumpkin stem
How to Make DIY Twine Pumpkins
Step 1: Choose a Tube
Choose a tube that will determine the size of your pumpkin. The larger the tube, the larger the pumpkin.
A cardboard mailing tube, a sono tube (for jumbo pumpkins), a paper towel tube, a wrapping paper tube, or another sturdy round tube can work well.
If you’re making several pumpkins, try using tubes with different diameters to create a collection of pumpkins in various sizes.
Step 2: Wrap the Jute Twine
Before you start wrapping, tape a long piece of twine lengthwise along the tube. This will be used to tie the pumpkin.
Begin wrapping the jute twine around the tube.
Keep wrapping the twine around the tube in the same direction, keeping the strands close together.
Continue wrapping until you have a thick bundle of twine.
The number of times you wrap the twine will determine how full your pumpkin will be. For a fuller pumpkin, add more layers of twine.
Keep the twine straight. This will help to hold the pumpkin shape after you remove it from the cardboard tube.
Try to keep the tension fairly consistent as you wrap. You don’t want the twine so tight that it is difficult to remove, but it should be snug enough to create a neat bundle.
Step 3: Remove the Twine
Once you have enough twine wrapped around the tube, trim the twine.
Remove the tape holding the lengthwise twine.
Carefully slide the entire bundle off while holding the lengthwise piece of twine in place.
Try not to let the loops come apart.
You should now have a thick ring or bundle of jute twine.
Step 4: Tie the Twine
Tie the lengthwise piece of twine, pulling it tight enough to create the pumpkin’s characteristic sections.
Tie a secure knot and trim the excess twine.
When using wired jute twine, use wire cutters to shorten the cut ends.
Step 5: Shape the Pumpkin
Gently spread and separate the loops of twine around the tied twine.
Work your way around the pumpkin, pulling some loops outward and pushing others inward until you have a rounded pumpkin shape. The wired twine helps keep the shape of the pumpkin without the loops collapsing.
Don’t worry about making it perfectly symmetrical. The slightly uneven shape gives these pumpkins their rustic handmade appearance.
Step 6: Add the Stem and Leaves
Glue a small twig, cinnamon stick, or piece of wood to use as the stem.
Apply a little hot glue to the center of the pumpkin and press the stem into place.
Hold it in place for a few seconds until the glue sets.
Cut some leaves from felt and glue them to the base of the stem.
Tips for Making DIY Twine Pumpkins
Using Unwired Twine
I find the best results are achieved by using wired twine. If you choose to use unwired twine, choose a twine that is stiff and will hold its shape. Many twine rolls are not stiff enough to hold the pumpkin shape and eventually collapse.
Coloured sturdy twine or twisted coloured rope both look amazing when shaped into pumpkins.
Soft rope, such as macrame cord, is not reccomended as it will not hold its pumpkin shape after the tube is removed.
Keep the Twine Together
When removing the twine from the tube, work slowly. If the loops become loose, it can be more difficult to create a neat pumpkin.
Choosing Tubes
The stiffer the tube, the more uniform your finished DIY twine pumpkin will be. Stiff tubes keep all of the wrapped twine the same size, as there is no bending or folding in the tubes.
Some stiff tubes are:
- Cutting Machine Vinyl tubes
- Mailer tubes for posters or maps (Usually come in different sizes.
- Construction tubes (perfect for jumbo pumpkins. (Sono Tubes)
- PVC pipe sections – Perfect for achieving different sizes.
Soft rope, such as macrame cord, is not reccomended as it will not hold its pumpkin shape after the tube is removed.
Fixing a Collapsed Pumpkin
If your pumpkin starts to sag or lose its shape, stuff some plastic wrap or a plastic grocery bag cut to fit into the form to bring it back to shape. Spray the pumpkin with at least one coat of glue such as Mod Podge or Elmer’s Craft Bond. Allow it to dry and then remove the plastic filler. If it is still sagging, repeat with another coat of glue.
Do not fill it with tissue or paper of any kind, as it will stick to the twine.
Lighting your DIY Twine Pumpkins
To enhance your display of twine pumpkins, add a couple of balloon lights inside the pumpkins or a short string or wire LED light. This looks great if they are used in a display with other fall decor.
Cleaning up frayed ends of the wired twine.
When cutting the wired jute twine with wire cutters, sometimes the fibres of the twine can fray. To clean them up and reduce further fraying, put a little glue, or Mod Podge, on your fingers and twist the ends and smooth them down. This will hold the fibres in place and hide any exposed wire.
Storing Recommendations
To store your homemade twine pumpkins, insert some filler, such as tissue paper, into the pumpkin to hold its shape. Store in a hard-sided box to prevent crushing.
These DIY twine pumpkins are proof that you don’t need complicated supplies or crafting techniques to make beautiful seasonal decor. With wired or stiff jute twine, a tube, a little felt, and a few minutes, you can create charming rustic pumpkins perfect for fall.
Make several in different sizes and use them throughout your home, or create a pretty autumn centrepiece with your handmade pumpkins.
It’s an easy, inexpensive fall craft that you can enjoy making year after year. Happy Crafting!
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