@boo_radley
Sep 7, 2026
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Our tips for carving a similar design
This is the timeless triangle-eyed jack-o-lantern given personality through a wide, toothy grin. The core trick is keeping every tooth attached at both the top and bottom edges of the mouth so nothing snaps off, then using clean angled triangles for the eyes and nose. Plan the mouth as one long curve first, then remove the gaps between the teeth last.
Written by PumpkinCarvingIdeas.com, inspired by @boo_radley'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 a smooth pumpkin and open the top
Choose a round pumpkin with a flat-ish front face and a sturdy stem. Cut a lid around the stem at an angle so it rests without falling in, or cut a hole in the back if you prefer. Scoop out the seeds and pulp, then scrape the front wall down to about one inch thick. A thinner wall makes cutting the teeth much easier.
Transfer the face
Sketch or tape on two upward-tilted triangle eyes, a small triangle nose, and a long curved smile. Mark the teeth as evenly spaced zigzags inside the mouth outline. Use a poker tool or pushpin to dot along every line. Step back and check the spacing before you cut anything.
Carve the eyes and nose first
Start with the small shapes since they are easiest to control. Use a fine saw blade and cut each triangle with steady, gentle strokes, letting the blade do the work. Push the cut pieces out from the inside so the edges stay crisp. These small openings anchor your face before you tackle the big mouth.
Cut the mouth in stages
Carve the top curve and bottom curve of the smile first, but leave the teeth as solid bridges connecting the two. Once the outline is done, remove the small triangle gaps between the teeth one at a time. Cutting the gaps last keeps the teeth strong and prevents the whole mouth from flopping. Take your time on the pointed tips so they do not tear.
Clean up the edges
Trim any ragged bits with the tip of your saw or a small paring knife handled by an adult. For a softer glow, gently scrape the skin just around the eyes and mouth so a thin halo of light shows through. Wipe away loose fibers from inside the openings so light passes cleanly.
Light it and photograph
Drop in a battery LED tealight or a small puck light for an even, safe glow. Set the pumpkin on a bed of fall leaves like the photo and shoot at dusk for that warm orange background. Take your picture slightly off center so the grin reads clearly. Rub a little petroleum jelly on the cut edges to keep them from drying out overnight.
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 full orange face and cheeks stay untouched and dark.
- Peel & shade
An optional thin scraped halo around the eyes and mouth glows soft orange.
- Cut through
The two triangle eyes, triangle nose, and the toothy grin blaze brightest.
Before you start cutting
How do I keep the pointy teeth from breaking off?
The teeth stay strong because each one is attached at both the top and bottom of the mouth. Carve the outline first and only remove the small gaps between teeth at the very end. Work slowly and support each tooth with a finger from behind as you cut around it.
What size should I make the eyes and nose?
Keep the eyes as medium triangles tilted upward at the outer corners to give that cheerful look. The nose is a small triangle centered between and just below the eyes. Making the nose noticeably smaller than the eyes keeps the face balanced and friendly.
Should I carve the lid on top or a hole in the back?
Either works well for this simple design. A top lid gives the classic look and easy access to the light, while a back hole keeps the front clean and lets heat escape too. If you go with the top, cut the lid at an angle so it does not drop inside.
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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