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10 Creative Autumn Pumpkin Carving Patterns

We curated 10 of the very best creative autumn pumpkin carving patterns so you can pick one and start carving in minutes.

  1. 1. Leaf Columns and Diamond Rows

    Leaf Columns and Diamond Rows pumpkin carving stencil

    Designed for tall, elongated pumpkins, this pattern runs two columns of paired leaf openings up the sides with a ladder of small diamonds climbing the center strip between them. Every leaf and diamond is cut through, turning the whole pumpkin into a glowing botanical lantern. Work from the bottom rows upward so the shell above stays strong while you carve, and keep the leaf pairs level with each other as you go.

    See template β†’
  2. 2. Wide Wings and Notched Tail

    Wide Wings and Notched Tail pumpkin carving stencil

    A bird bursts forward with both wings spread wide, every flight feather notched along the wing edges, above a fanned notched tail. The whole spread-wing shape is one dramatic cut-through, so the bird blazes as a single figure of light. Rated medium because of the many feather notches along the wingtips; cut the main body opening first, then nibble out each feather notch with short strokes so the points stay defined.

    See template β†’
  3. 3. Eight Petals and Three Seeds

    Eight Petals and Three Seeds pumpkin carving stencil

    Eight oval petals radiate from a dotted center like a stylized sunflower, with three small seed holes in the middle and a leafy stem opening anchoring the bloom below. Each petal is a pierced oval, and the skin spokes left between them hold the flower together while letting light pour through. Cut opposite petals in pairs, top then bottom, left then right, so the spokes never take uneven strain.

    See template β†’
  4. 4. Deer Head with Eight Tines

    Deer Head with Eight Tines pumpkin carving stencil

    A buck's head glows from the pumpkin with a full eight-tine rack of antlers, alert ears, and a rounded muzzle, all carved as connected pierced openings. The antler beams branch symmetrically above the head, throwing dramatic spiky light. The narrow antler tines are the challenge here; saw each tine from its tip down toward the main beam and avoid twisting the blade so the slender channels stay clean.

    See template β†’
  5. 5. Two Hoofprints and an Oak Leaf

    Two Hoofprints and an Oak Leaf pumpkin carving stencil

    Two split deer hoofprints, each with a pair of dewclaw dots beneath, share the pumpkin with a lobed oak leaf and a few scattered accent dots for a woodsy, cabin-porch feel. Every track, dot, and the leaf is fully cut through with plenty of solid skin between elements. It is a comfortable medium carve; poke a starter hole in each small dot and cut those first, since tiny circles are easiest while the surrounding wall is still rigid.

    See template β†’
  6. 6. Apple Leaf and Four Holes

    Apple Leaf and Four Holes pumpkin carving stencil

    A plump apple with a stem and single leaf glows at the front, trailed by a diagonal line of four round holes like tumbling seeds. The apple body, leaf, and dots are all pierced through, with the stem notch left as dark shell between them. A great pick for classrooms and teacher gifts; punch the four small holes with a corer first, then saw the apple outline in slow curves.

    See template β†’
  7. 7. Bee with Three Raw Stripes

    Bee with Three Raw Stripes pumpkin carving stencil

    A friendly bumblebee spreads four scalloped wings wide, with a round head, curled antennae, and a plump body banded by three raw stripes. This is a shading design with no pierced holes: the wings, head, and body stripes are shaved down to pale flesh while strips of dark skin form the outlines and bands. Shave the big wing panels first, then refine the narrow antennae with a small gouge.

    See template β†’
  8. 8. Sunflower with Eleven Petals

    Sunflower with Eleven Petals pumpkin carving stencil

    A tall sunflower blooms across the whole pumpkin face, with eleven glowing petals radiating around a dark seed disc dotted with tiny pinprick holes, plus a straight stem and two leaves below. The petals, stem, and leaves are shaved to the flesh rather than pierced, while the seed dots are drilled through for sparkle. For this medium shading design, etch all the petal outlines first, then peel each petal evenly and finish by drilling the seed dots in a loose spiral.

    See template β†’
  9. 9. Eight Petals with Leaf Pair

    Eight Petals with Leaf Pair pumpkin carving stencil

    Eight almond-shaped petals radiate around a solid center in this graceful flower design, with a pair of pointed leaves below and small accent holes dotting each side like falling seeds. All the petals, leaves, and dots are pierced through while the round flower center stays intact, held by the uncut spokes between petals. For this medium carve, cut opposite petals in pairs as you work around the circle so pressure stays balanced and the center never loosens.

    See template β†’
  10. 10. Fifteen Sweeping Almond Leaves

    Fifteen Sweeping Almond Leaves pumpkin carving stencil

    Fifteen almond-shaped leaves sweep upward in two mirrored arcs, curving around the pumpkin's face like a laurel wreath opening toward the stem. Each leaf is cut fully through, so the whole design becomes an elegant pierced lantern with no face at all. Alternate sides as you cut, removing one leaf on the left and then its mirror on the right, to keep the wall's strength balanced throughout.

    See template β†’

That's our list of 10 creative autumn pumpkin carving patterns. Print your favorite and tag us when you're done.

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10 Creative Autumn Pumpkin Carving Patterns | PumpkinCarvingIdeas.com