Go Big or Gourd Home CAL: Jack o’ Jelly

Hey fellow pumpkin-lover! The CAL is over, but you can still make your very own Jack o’ Jelly! I’ve been SO EXCITED to share this project with you. Grab your favorite fall drink and let’s get into this pattern!

©2022 cbfiberworks. This pattern or it’s parts are not allowed to be redistributed, copied or resold. Any items handmade by you from this pattern may be sold, but please credit me (cbfiberworks) as the designer.

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Go Big or Gourd Home CAL: Jack o’ Jelly

Before you scroll down to the Jack o’ Jelly pattern, take just a second to look over the project notes because I have some helpful links there for the tricky bits including color changes and the I-cord. And if you need some color inspiration, check out some of the photos below!

Tester Photos

If you’re trying to pick colors for this project, but maybe want to try something different than the recommended colors, check out these amazing projects from my testers! One even used glow in the dark yarn for the eyes!

Project Materials

• Yarn: Wool of the Andes (worsted, 5 skeins) -affiliate link
  • Color A: Pumpkin (50yds)
  • Color B: Creme Brulee (5yds)
  • Color C: Peapod (23yds)
  • Color D: Green Tea Heather (11yds)
  • Color E: Brass Heather (3yds)
• 3.00mm hook
• Stitch markers
• Poly-fill
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Sewing pins

I used 2 different colors of green for the vines and leaves, but you’re welcome to use a single color if you like. Also, if you like the idea of using glow in the dark yarn, I used DIY Glow from Lionbrand (not an affiliate link) to make this purple version of Jack o’ Jelly below.

Don’t want to scroll? You can get the ad-free, printable pdf of Jack o’ Jelly in my Etsy, Ravelry and Ribblr shops!

Stitch Abbreviations

(**) – See Project Notes section

• MR – magic ring (**)
• Sc – single crochet (**)
• Sl st – slip stitch
• Inc – increase (**)
• Dec – decrease (**)
• St(s) – stitch(es)
• Ch – chain
• Tr – treble crochet

Project Notes

• Final dimensions: H: 8in. x W: 3in. x L: 3in.
• This project is written in US terminology.
• Jack o’ Jelly is worked in the round with several elements seamed together.
• Unless otherwise specified, work in continuous rounds without using a slip stitch to join rows.
• Move stitch markers up every row as you go.
• Magic Ring: Create a magic ring and work the specified number of single crochet into it (ex. MR6 = 6sc into the ring).
• Single Crochet: Unless otherwise specified, this project uses the yarn under technique. Insert your hook into the stitch, yarn under, pull up a loop (2 loops on your hook), yarn over, and pull through both loops.
• Increase: work 2sc into the same stitch.
• Decrease: Unless otherwise specified, use the invisible decrease method. Insert your hook into the front loop of the next stitch, then insert your hook into the front loop of the following stitch, yarn over and pull through the first loop (3 loops on the hook), then yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the hook.
• I-cord Technique: Right Handed video tutorial and Left Handed video tutorial
  • Ch 3
  • Insert the hook into the 2nd ch from the hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops).
  • Insert the hook into the next ch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops). Remove all but the first loop from the hook, making sure to hold the other two, ch 1. Put the second loop back on the hook, ch 1. Put the third loop back on the hook, ch 1.
  • Repeat the previous step as many times as directed or to create the length you like
• Changing Colors: I used fair isle crochet method of color changing. If you’re unfamiliar or want a refresh, you can check out this article here.
  • Insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn under and pull up a loop. Drop the current color and pick up the next color. Yarn over and pull through both loops to complete the single crochet.
  • Be sure to keep your floats loose so the face doesn’t pucker.
  • Always switch colors in the last stitch.
    • Ex. Color A: 12sc, Color B: 5sc…
      • Work 11sc in Color A, switching colors in the 12th stitch. Then work 4sc in Color B, switching colors in the 5th stitch.

Jack o’ Jelly Pattern

The colorwork in the Body section can be a bit tricky, but the premium pdf contains tons of photos and helpful tips. Grab it on Etsy, Ravelry or Ribblr!

Body

Start with Color A and a 3.00mm hook.

Rnd 0: MR6 (Place your stitch marker in the first st)

Rnd 1: inc 6 times. (12)

Rnd 2: [inc, sc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc, sc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 4: [inc, 3sc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 5: [2sc, inc, 2sc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 6: [inc, 5sc] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 7: [3sc, inc, 3sc] 6 times. (48)

Rnds 8-9: sc around. (48)

Starting with Rnd 10, you’ll be attaching Color B and then switching colors back and forth. Remember to keep your floats loose if you’re using fair isle crochet.

Rnd 10: Color A: 12sc, Color B: 3sc, Color A: 7sc, Color B: 3sc, Color A: 23sc. (48)

Rnd 11: Color A: 11sc, Color B: 6sc, Color A: 4sc, Color B: 6sc, Color A: 21sc. (48)

Rnds 12-13: Color A: 10sc, Color B: 4sc, Color A: 6sc, Color B: 4sc, Color A: 24sc. (48)

Rnd 14: Color A: 11sc, Color B: 7sc, Color A: 3sc, Color B: 7sc, Color A: 20sc. (48)

Rnd 15: Color A: 12sc, Color B: 5sc, Color A: 5sc, Color B: 5sc, Color A: 21sc. (48)

Rnds 16-17: sc around. (48)

Rnd 18: [3sc, dec, 3sc] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 19: [dec, 5sc] 6 times. (36)

Work all of Rnd 20 in the back loop only using regular decreases: Insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

Rnd 20: [2sc, dec, 2sc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 21: [dec, 3sc] 6 times. (24)

Start stuffing.

Rnd 22: [sc, dec, sc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 23: [dec, sc] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 24: dec 6 times. (6)

Fasten off, sew the remaining hole closed with a tapestry needle, and weave the remaining yarn tail into the head.

Did you know the ad-free, premium pdf of Jack o’ Jelly has a special bonus modification to turn him into a cute ghost instead? You can grab the printable pattern with this bonus in my Etsy, Ravelry, and Ribblr shops!

Ruffle

Use Color A and a 3.00mm hook.

Looking at the bottom of the body, insert your hook into the first unworked front loop from Rnd 20. Pull a loop of Color A through and secure it with a ch 1. (The ch 4 at the start counts as a tr.)

Rnd 1: ch 3, 2tr in the same st, 3tr in every st around, sl st into the 4th ch to join. (108)

Fasten off with a short tail and use a tapestry needle to weave in the end.

Thick Tentacles

Use either Color C or Color D (or both) and a 3.00mm hook.

Ch 41

Row 1: starting in the second ch from the hook, 3sc in each st across. (120)

Fasten off with an 8-10in. tail.

Thin Tentacles

Use Color C or Color D (or both) and a 3.00mm hook.

Ch 51

Row 1: starting in the second ch from the hook, sl st in each st across. (50)

Fasten off with an 8-10in. tail. Weave the shorter tail from the foundation ch inside the stitches with a tapestry needle.

Vine

Use Color C and a 3.00mm hook.

Ch 21

Row 1: starting in the second ch from the hook, 3sc in each st across. (60)

Fasten off with an 8-10in. tail. Weave the shorter tail from the foundation ch inside the stitches with a tapestry needle.

Leaf

Use Color C and a 3.00mm hook.

Ch 9

Row 1: starting in the second ch from the hook, 2sl sts, 2sc, 2hdc, dc, 3dc in the last ch, working on the other side of the ch, 3dc in the first ch, dc, 2hdc, 2sc, 2sl sts, sl st to join the tip. (20)

Fasten off with a short tail and weave in any yarn tails with a tapestry needle.

Stem

Using Color E and a 3.00mm hook.

Ch 3

1. Insert the hook into the 2nd ch from the hook, yarn over and pull up a
   loop (2 loops). Insert the hook into the next ch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops).
2. Remove all but the first loop from the hook, making sure to hold the other two, ch 1. Put the second loop back on the hook, ch 1. Put the third loop back on the hook, ch 1.
3. Repeat step 2 for about 8 more rows (but you can do more for a longer stem). To fasten off, yarn over and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops. Fasten off with an 8-10in. tail. Weave the short tail from the initial chain inside the center of the stem with a tapestry needle.

Scroll up to the Project Notes section to see the link to the video tutorials if you’re getting stuck.

NOTE: Not everyone likes making I-cords, so if you’d prefer you can always hot glue a stem of your choice once everything else has been assembled.

Assembly

Body Details

Cut a long length of Color A (about 24in.).

Using a tapestry needle, thread the yarn from the center of the MR of the body down through the center of the bottom. Leave about 6-8in. of length still coming out of the top. Thread your tapestry needle onto this length coming out of the top and tie a knot to secure it to the body. Then weave this yarn tail into the body.

Thread your tapestry needle back onto the length coming out of the bottom of the body. Then insert your needle back through the bottom (not the exact spot but close to it) and up through the MR at the top, pulling tight to start compressing the body.

Now wrap the yarn down around the body, between the eyes, being sure to insert your needle through where the ruffle meets the body (see photos below). Insert the needle from the bottom up through the MR at the top again.

Repeat the last step 4 more times, pulling the length of yarn tight as you go. I recommend wrapping around the body on each side of the eyes next to help keep the spacing even. Then do the wraps toward the back.

Once you’ve finished the final wrap and you’ve compressed your Jack o’ Jelly, tie a few knots on the bottom of the body to secure and weave the remaining yarn tail into the body.

Tentacles

Pin each of the thick and thin tentacles to the bottom of the body. Space them out evenly. Using a tapestry needle and the individual yarn tails, sew each tentacle to the body. Then weave any remaining yarn tails into the body.

Vine & Leaf

Pin the end of the vine to the top center of the body. Then pin the rounded curve of the leaf beside the vine. Use a tapestry needle and the yarn tail from the vine to first sew the tip of the vine in place. Then, using the same yarn tail, sew the leaf onto the body where it’s pinned. Weave the remaining yarn tail into the body.

Stem

Pin the stem to the top center of the body. Then use a tapestry needle and the yarn tail to sew it to the body. Weave the remaining yarn tail into the body.

You’re finished!!

Wrap Up

I hope you loved making your Jack o’ Jelly! Be sure to Pin this pattern and share it with your friends. Don’t forget if you share your GOURDGEOUS creation on social media, tag me @cbfiberworks so I can share and cheer you on!

And if you missed the Go Big or Gourd Home CAL and want to get notified whenever I have a new CAL, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter!