@midnightcarver
Sep 7, 2026
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Our tips for carving a similar design
The core trick here is a classic scary face built from big open cutouts with jagged, sawtooth edges on the eyes and mouth, then topped with a floppy burlap witch hat for personality. You carve the face cleanly on the front, keep the openings large so the LED glow spills out, and let the fabric hat do the costuming rather than the pumpkin itself. Plan the face low and centered so the hat brim can rest naturally on the shoulders of the pumpkin.
Written by PumpkinCarvingIdeas.com, inspired by @midnightcarver's photo above. These are our suggestions, not instructions from the uploader, and this approach hasn't been tested on their exact carve.
From pumpkin to porch
Pick and prep the pumpkin
Choose a round, fairly tall pumpkin with a smooth front panel for the face and a flat enough base to sit steady on a stone or table. Cut a wide lid from the bottom instead of the top so the hat can sit undisturbed later, or cut a back door if you prefer. Scoop the insides and scrape the front wall down to about one inch thick so it is easier to cut through. A thinner wall lets your knife glide and keeps the jagged teeth crisp.
Transfer the face
Draw or tape on a stencil with two angled slanted eyes and a wide crescent grin. Mark clear zigzag teeth along the top and bottom of the mouth and give the eyes matching pointed lower lashes. Keep every point a little blunt on paper so it survives in pumpkin flesh. Poke the outline with a pin or transfer tool so you have dots to follow once the paper comes off.
Cut the eyes first
Start with the two eye openings since they are smaller and give you a feel for the wall. Use a small serrated carving saw and cut slowly along each zigzag edge, letting the blade do the work rather than forcing it. Push the cut pieces out gently from the inside to avoid snapping the fine points. Cutting the smaller shapes first keeps the pumpkin strong while you work.
Cut the mouth last
Save the big grinning mouth for last because it removes the most material and weakens the shell. Follow your zigzag line all the way around, working from the center outward so the tall teeth stay supported until the end. Ease each tooth out carefully and trim any ragged spots with a paring knife. If a point feels too thin, shorten it slightly rather than risk it breaking off.
Add the burlap witch hat
Shape a witch hat from stiff burlap or use a ready-made one, bending the tall point over for that slumped, worn look. Rest the brim on the top of the pumpkin so it frames the face without covering the eyes. Tuck a little loose twine or straw under the brim for a scarecrow-meets-witch feel. Keep the fabric away from the light source so nothing sits against warm surfaces.
Light it and photograph
Drop a battery LED puck or string inside and aim for a warm flicker setting to mimic candlelight safely. Set the pumpkin on a rock or low stump in tall grass and shoot at dusk when the glow reads against the darker background. Angle the face slightly toward the camera so both eyes and the full grin catch the light. Mist the skin lightly for a fresh sheen if you want extra pop.
Gather your supplies
Check things off as you get ready.
Work on a stable surface, keep your free hand out of the cutting path, and have an adult handle sharp tools.
Three levels of light
- Leave intact
The whole outer orange skin of the pumpkin stays untouched and dark, along with the burlap hat.
- Peel & shade
Skin-peel a thin bright rim just inside each cut edge if you want a soft halo around the teeth and eyes.
- Cut through
The two slanted eyes and the wide jagged grin are cut fully through for the brightest glow.
Before you start cutting
How do I keep the jagged teeth from breaking off?
Thin the front wall to about an inch so the saw cuts cleanly without wrestling. Cut the small eyes before the large mouth so the shell stays rigid as long as possible. If a tooth feels fragile, make it a touch shorter or wider at the base for strength.
Should I cut the lid from the top or bottom?
Cut it from the bottom or the back so the hat can rest naturally on top without a visible seam. A bottom opening also lets you set the pumpkin down over the light like a cap. Just make sure the base still sits level on your rock or stand.
How do I make the hat stay put outdoors?
Choose a hat with a wide brim that rests on the pumpkin shoulders, and bend the tall tip over so wind catches it less. A dab of floral wire or a hidden twine loop can anchor it to the stem area. Keep the fabric clear of the LED so it never touches a warm surface.
Your take belongs here, too.
Changed a detail? Made it simpler? Share a photo of your version and tell the community what worked.
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