No-Sew Crochet Pumpkin Pie Pouch: A Little Fall Project with a Useful Surprise
At first glance, this crochet pouch looks like a miniature pumpkin pie. Rust-orange yarn forms the filling, tan strips cross the surface like pastry, and a textured edge finishes the crust. The zipper tucked between the two halves turns that little pie into a place to keep coins, earbuds, or another small essential.
The appeal comes from combining familiar crochet techniques in an unusual construction. You begin with a flat circle, add a shallow sidewall, and crochet directly into the zipper tape. Eight narrow strips create the woven topping, while the second circular half completes the container.
“No-sew” describes how the pieces are assembled: crochet stitches attach the zipper and join the pouch. You will still need to weave in the yarn ends.
Materials and Color Choices
The original project notes list medium-weight yarn and a 3 mm hook. Prepare:
- Orange or rust yarn for the pie filling.
- Tan, beige, or cream yarn for the lattice, sidewalls, and crust.
- A 3 mm crochet hook.
- A zipper suitable for the curved opening between the two halves.
- A stitch marker.
- A yarn needle and scissors.
- A suitable tool for preparing holes in the zipper tape, if necessary.
Use yarns of similar thickness for both colors. The orange circle and tan edging need to fit together without one section pulling against the other.
Rust and golden tan give the sample a warm, baked-pastry appearance. Cream creates a lighter contrast, while a deeper orange makes the filling more prominent beneath the lattice.
The finished size depends on your yarn and tension. Keep the zipper nearby while working so you can compare it with the developing pouch before attaching it.
Understand the Construction Before Starting
The pouch consists of two circular halves with shallow sides. The zipper sits between those halves, forming part of the opening around the edge.
The main sequence is:
- Crochet the first orange circle.
- Add three tan sidewall rounds.
- Attach one side of the zipper.
- Add the lattice and decorative crust.
- Make the matching second half.
- Attach the remaining zipper tape and complete the final connection.
Keeping this order in mind helps you distinguish the decorative outer edge from the sidewall where the zipper is attached.
US Crochet Abbreviations
Abbreviation Meaning
MR Magic ring
ch Chain
sc Single crochet
hdc Half double crochet
inc Work 2 single crochets into one stitch
sl st Slip stitch
BLO Back loop only
Instructions in brackets are repeated the stated number of times. The number in the final column below is the stitch count after completing that round.
Crochet the Orange Pie Circle
Work with orange yarn. Mark the first stitch of each round and move the marker as you progress.
Round Instructions Stitches
1 Work 6 sc into a magic ring. 6
2 Inc in every stitch around. 12
3 [Inc, sc] × 6. 18
4 [2 sc, inc] × 6. 24
5 [Inc, 3 sc] × 6. 30
6 [2 sc, inc, 2 sc] × 6. 36
7 [5 sc, inc] × 6. 42
8 [3 sc, inc, 3 sc] × 6. 48
9 [7 sc, inc] × 6. 54
10 [4 sc, inc, 4 sc] × 6. 60
Each round adds six stitches. The split repeats in Rounds 6, 8, and 10 shift the increase positions, helping distribute the shaping around the circle.
After Round 10, lay the piece down without stretching it. Check the 60-stitch count before continuing. The two pie faces need to match, so an unnoticed extra increase here can make the final assembly uneven.
Add the Tan Sidewall
Change to tan yarn and work the three depth rounds shown in the video:
Depth round Instructions Stitches
D1 Work 60 sc in BLO. 60
D2 Work 60 sc through both loops. 60
D3 Work 60 sc through both loops. 60
Working D1 in the back loops creates a defined transition between the flat filling and the sidewall. It also leaves the front loops available at that junction.
Place a marker in one of those unused front loops so you can find the attachment area again when adding the topping and crust.
There are no increases in these three rounds. The stitch count remains at 60 while the fabric begins to form the shallow side of the pouch.
Attach the Zipper Directly with Crochet
Test the zipper before attaching it. The slider should move freely, and the tape should lie smoothly against the final sidewall round.
If your hook cannot pass through the fabric tape comfortably, prepare small, evenly spaced holes first. Work away from the zipper teeth and support the tape on a suitable surface.
Following the demonstration, use slip stitches to attach the zipper tape to the final sidewall round.
Keep the zipper flat as you work. A tight attachment can gather the tape and make the opening difficult to close. Loose, uneven stitches can leave gaps between the tape and the crochet.
The video also addresses holes that do not line up perfectly with the crochet stitches: where needed, work a slip stitch into the crochet edge without passing through a zipper hole, then continue the attachment in alignment. Do not pull the tape out of shape to force every stitch through a hole.
Open and close the zipper after attaching this first side. Correct any catching or puckering before adding the remaining details.
Make the Eight Lattice Strips
The topping uses eight strips in total: four in each direction.
For each strip:
- Chain to the required length.
- Work slip stitches back along the chain to create a narrow strip.
- Attach the strip at the pie edge as demonstrated.
The video gives these trial chain lengths as approximate references:
20 ch, 25 ch, 23 ch, and 10 ch.
They are fitting examples rather than a fixed sequence for all eight strips. The required length changes with yarn stretch, the finished circle size, and the position of the strip. A strip crossing the center needs more length than one placed close to the curved edge.
Lay each strip across the pie before securing its far end. It should reach comfortably without drawing the opposite edges together.
Weave the Two Sets Together
Attach both ends of the first four strips, spacing them across the orange face.
For the second set, initially secure one end of each strip. Weave these strips across the first set, alternating over and under. Reverse the crossing order on neighboring strips to form the woven grid.
Adjust the spacing before attaching the remaining ends. The orange filling should remain visible between the strips, and the circle should keep its shape.
Crochet the Decorative Crust
Return to the outer attachment area and follow the crust demonstration.
The on-screen repeat is:
2 hdc, sl st — repeat around the edge.
Use the close-up video for the insertion points, particularly where the lattice ends meet the edging. The alternating taller stitches and low slip stitches give the rim its raised, crimped appearance.
Keep this decorative edge relaxed. If it is pulled too tightly, it can draw the pie face inward even when the original circle was flat.
Make the Matching Second Half
Crochet another orange circle using Rounds 1–10, finishing with 60 stitches. Add the same three tan sidewall rounds.
Compare the two halves before connecting them. Their diameter and depth should be similar when held without stretching.
Keep the working yarn attached where the video indicates so you can continue into the final connection.
Attach the remaining zipper tape to the second half, keeping the two sides aligned. Check the positions of the zipper ends and make sure the decorated face will sit the way you want when the pouch is closed.
Complete the Final Connection
The video’s finishing instructions are:
- Single crochet until reaching the end of the zipper.
- Work two rows of single crochet.
- Use slip stitches to connect this section to the matching edge of the first half.
Follow the assembly close-up for the placement of this connecting section. Its position depends on where the zipper ends meet the crochet.
Keep the zipper accessible during the join. Before fastening off, open it, inspect the inside, and close it again. The two halves should meet comfortably without needing to be forced together.
Troubleshooting the Finished Shape
The lattice makes the pie curve inward
Check the strip lengths first. Short strips pull across the face like tight drawstrings. Adjust the affected strip before trying to flatten the whole pouch.
The zipper looks wavy
Inspect the attachment tension and hole spacing. The tape needs to follow the crochet edge smoothly without being stretched or gathered.
The two halves do not line up
Compare the circle counts and sidewall rounds. Both circles should finish at 60 stitches, and both sidewalls should contain three rounds of 60 stitches.
The pouch closes empty but not when filled
Check the thickness of the contents as well as their width. A round pouch may look spacious from above while still having a shallow interior. Choose an item that allows the zipper to close without pressure.
Watch the Pumpkin Pie Pouch Tutorial
The video shows the stitch movements, zipper attachment, lattice weaving, crust, and final join.
- 0:18 — Materials and construction overview
- 0:21 — Orange pie circle
- 4:20 — Sidewall depth
- 5:02 — Zipper attachment
- 6:03 — Lattice topping
- 7:28 — Decorative crust
- 8:28 — Second half and final connection
- 9:51 — Finished pouch
Turn Your Little Pie into a Useful Fall Accessory
Weave in the remaining ends, keeping them clear of the zipper teeth. Test the pouch with the item you plan to carry, then check the opening once more before using it.
For cleaning, follow the yarn’s care instructions and account for the zipper. Reshape the pouch gently and let the inside dry completely before filling it again.
The finishing details give this project its character: a flat orange center, a softly woven topping, and a crust that frames the whole piece. Paired with a smooth-working zipper, those details turn a small seasonal decoration into something you can carry and use.
For a gift, tuck in a small item that fits comfortably and let the crochet pie become part of the presentation. The warm colors make it especially suited to autumn, while the construction offers a useful introduction to adding zippers directly to crochet.
Watch every stitch up close
Pair these written notes with the complete video tutorial.
Made with yarn, shared with love. 🧶💗