Retro Cat Face Vintage Pumpkin Carving with Pupil Tabs

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Hollow to an even wall

   Scoop the pumpkin to a consistent 25 to 30 mm wall thickness across the face area. The scraped brow ridges require enough wall depth to peel a thin layer without risk, so do not go thinner than 25 mm.

2. 2

   Sketch the face elements

   Draw the two crescent eye shapes, the triangle nose, four curved cheek slot positions (two per side), and the two pointed brow ridge lines above the eyes. Keep the crescent tips pointing down and inward for the characteristic cat-squint look.

3. 3

   Score the pupil tabs first

   Use a craft knife to score the outline of each pupil tab (a small oval or teardrop inside each crescent) at very shallow depth, leaving only the top edge unscored. This gives you a safe boundary to cut up to when you open the crescent.

4. 4

   Cut the crescent eyes

   Cut each crescent opening fully, following its outline and stopping just short of the scored pupil boundary. Complete the crescent outline with a craft knife along the scored pupil perimeter, freeing the crescent piece while leaving the pupil tab attached at the top. Clear the crescent carefully without dislodging the pupil.

5. 5

   Scrape the brow ridges

   Using a linoleum cutter or narrow loop tool, scrape a thin layer of skin along the two pointed brow ridge lines above the eyes. Work in the direction of the ridge, from the center outward, and remove only the outer skin. The lighter scraped line against the intact orange rind reads as a pointed brow when lit from within.

6. 6

   Cut the nose and cheek slots

   Cut the small triangle nose, then the four curved cheek slot holes (two slots per cheek). Each cheek slot should be a smooth curved slit. Cut from the outer end of each slot toward the cheek center so you do not accidentally run a cut toward the eye or nose. Add an LED candle and adjust placement for even light on the pupils.

Written with AI to match this design