Hazel the Pointy-Hat Witch

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Pick your pumpkin and plan the lid

   Choose a smooth, tall pumpkin with a flat-ish front panel wide enough for the witch shape. Cut a lid from the bottom instead of the top so the pumpkin sits steady and you can set it over the light later. An adult should make this cut with a sturdy knife, angling inward so the piece does not fall through. Scoop the insides and thin the front wall to about one inch so it saws easily.

2. 2

   Transfer your template

   Print your witch profile stencil and tape it flat to the front, snipping the paper edges so it hugs the curve. Trace the outline with a poking wheel or a push pin, making dots close together along the hat brim and the pointed tip. Peel the paper and connect the dots lightly with a marker so you can see the full silhouette. Double check that the whole shape is one continuous line before you cut.

3. 3

   Saw the silhouette as one opening

   Start cutting near the middle of the shape where the opening is widest, using a small serrated pumpkin saw. Work slowly along the hat brim and the narrow point of the hat, letting the saw do the work instead of forcing it. Support the piece with your free hand as you near the end so it does not tear out early. Push the cut piece gently inward and remove it.

4. 4

   Clean and bevel the edges

   Run the saw back along the cut edges to smooth any ragged spots, especially at the sharp hat tip. For a brighter outline, angle the blade to bevel the inside edge outward, which lets more light spill through. Take your time at the thin brim so the point stays crisp. Wipe away loose pulp with a paper towel.

5. 5

   Light it and check the glow

   Set a battery LED tea light or a small LED puck inside, never a real candle. Place the pumpkin over the light through the bottom opening and look at the shape in a dim room. If the center looks dull, scrape the inner wall a little thinner to boost brightness. Adjust the light position until the whole witch reads clearly.

6. 6

   Stage and photograph

   Set the finished pumpkin on a porch step or doorway at dusk for the best contrast. Turn off nearby lights so the single glowing silhouette pops against the dark skin. Snap your photo slightly off to the side to keep the shape sharp. Rub a little petroleum jelly on the cut edges to slow drying if you want it to last.

Written with AI to match this design