The Hat Trick Hockey Pumpkin

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Pick a smooth pumpkin and open the top

   Choose a tall pumpkin with a flat, even face so the long straight lines stay clean. Cut a lid at an angle so it rests back in place, or open a hatch in the back for easier reach. Scoop the insides and thin the carving wall to about one inch so your blade passes through easily. A thinner wall also lets the etched tape stripes glow.

2. 2

   Transfer the crossed sticks and puck

   Tape your stencil flat and poke the outlines with a pin, or draw the two shafts freehand against a ruler. Keep the crossing point marked clearly so you remember to leave it solid. Sketch both angled blades at the bottom and the oval puck between them. Step back and check that the X sits centered before you cut anything.

3. 3

   Etch the tape stripes first

   Before any cutting, use a shallow scoop or lino tool to skin the tape bands on the shafts and the tops of the blades. Remove only the outer skin so the flesh underneath glows dim orange, and do not cut all the way through. Working these details first keeps the surface firm while it is still fully supported. Take your time here, since shallow marks are hard to fix once cut too deep.

4. 4

   Cut the stick shafts, but keep the bridge

   With an adult handling the saw, cut along the scored shaft lines in slow straight passes. Stop short of the crossing point and leave that overlap section of skin uncut, since that little bridge holds both sticks together. Cut each shaft in short segments rather than one long stroke to avoid cracking. Push the loose pieces out gently from the inside.

5. 5

   Open the blades and puck last

   Save the biggest openings for the end so the face stays strong while you work. Cut out the two angled blades, then the oval puck below the crossing point. Clean up the edges with a small detail knife so the lines stay crisp. Rounding the inside edges slightly with the tip of your knife helps the light spread.

6. 6

   Light it and shoot the photo

   Drop in a cool white LED puck light for a bright, ice-rink feel rather than a warm candle glow. Set the pumpkin on a porch step and check that the etched tape stripes read as a softer tone against the full cutouts. Wipe the cut edges and rub a little petroleum jelly on them to slow drying. Take your photo at dusk when the glow shows best against the darker background.

Written with AI to match this design