“Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. He’s gotta pick this one. He’s got to. I don’t see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there’s not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see.” – Linus, It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

Everyone knows that it is not Halloween without a pumpkin. Victoria Stewart-Hand of Kimsey Lane Crochet is helping small shoppers discover pumpkins that last longer than just a few days. “I have lots of favorites in my shop, but at this point, the crocheted pumpkins are the most popular. Fall is pumpkins on repeat,” she laughed.

Based in Cleveland, Georgia, Stewart-Hand started crocheting in 2014 as All Strung Up Crochet. “It was named by my son-in-law,” she recalled. She later transitioned to Kimsey Lane, a combination of the names of Stewart-Hand’s children, because “while we were having success in the beginning, the shop name started coming up in unfavorable search results.” Kimsey Lane Crochet now features handmade blankets, wearable accessories and décor created from yarn. Like many small shoppers, I have been admiring the artist’s set of three colorful pumpkins for fall decorating. The trio ranges in size from small to large and comes naturally scented with cinnamon stick stems. “I look at different pictures and make my own design. I don’t want to be cookie cutter,” Stewart-Hand said. “I know there are lots of pumpkins out there, but I want mine to be different. Just like pumpkins in the pumpkin patch are not all the same.” And, at only $19.95 (plus free domestic shipping for orders over $35), the pumpkins are practically equivalent in cost to the real thing. “I strive to keep my price points affordable. I want people to enjoy handmade,” she explained. Stewart-Hand personally enjoys seeing the growth of Kimsey Lane Crochet. “My creations have evolved as I have learned different stitches and what is popular each year,” she said of the growth of her shop. “My favorite part of crocheting is still the reaction I get from people with my finished product.”

Beyond the popular pumpkins, Kimsey Lane Crochet also offers cozy comforts for the holidays, like crocheted beanies and cup warmers. “Winter is beanies, from babies to adults and basics to textured,” Stewart-Hand shared. “I am also going to experiment with different fibers next.” Find your own Great Pumpkin in the Kimsey Lane Crochet patch… I mean, online Etsy shop or Facebook page and share your favorite crocheted design.

“You don’t believe the story of the Great Pumpkin? I thought little girls always believed everything that was told to them. I thought little girls were innocent and trusting. Welcome to the 20th Century!”