Similar to This
View all stencils →About this stencil
A thick crescent moon anchors the left side of the pumpkin while four five-pointed stars drift across the remaining space. All five elements are clean cut-through openings, so the pumpkin becomes a night-sky lantern with the untouched rind acting as the dark sky between them. It is an easy carve overall; the only care point is the star tips, so cut each star point-to-center in single strokes rather than trying to steer around the whole outline at once. This design is rated Beginner-friendly and takes most carvers around 30 minutes from trace to glow. Great for kids and first-timers. Big shapes, short cuts.
Pumpkin size guide
- 🎃 Small (5–7") — print at 80%
- 🎃 Medium (7–10") — print at 100% (recommended)
- 🎃 Large (11–13") — print at 130%
- 🎃 Giant (14"+) — print at 150% on tabloid paper
Frequently asked questions
Can I resize this stencil?▾
Yes. The PDF is vector so it scales cleanly. Print at 100% for a 7–10 inch pumpkin, 130% for 11–13 inch, or 150% for a giant. Use your printer's "Fit to page" or "Custom scale" setting.
What kind of paper works best?▾
Standard 20 lb letter or A4 printer paper is fine. Heavier paper is harder to bend around the pumpkin curve. If your printer supports it, set the quality to 'best' so the lines are crisp.
How long will the carved pumpkin last?▾
Usually 5–10 days. Coat all cut surfaces with petroleum jelly and store the pumpkin somewhere cool overnight. Avoid direct sun. Battery LED pumpkin lights produce no heat and double the lifespan.
Can I sell pumpkins carved with this stencil?▾
Yes, the carved pumpkin you make is yours. The license covers personal and small-scale commercial carving (selling carved pumpkins, photographing them, posting on social). You may not resell the PDF file itself.
What if my printer doesn't print the whole stencil?▾
Set 'Page scaling' to 'Fit' in the print dialog and uncheck 'Auto-rotate'. If it still cuts off, the design includes 0.25" of safe-area margin so a small crop won't ruin it.
How to carve this stencil
- 1Print it
Download the PDF and print at 100% scale on letter or A4 paper.
- 2Prep the pumpkin
Cut the lid at an angle, scoop the guts, thin the wall to ~1 inch.
- 3Tape it on
Snip darts in the paper so it lies flat against the curve.
- 4Transfer the design
Poke along every line — about one dot every 1/8 inch.
- 5Carve it
Connect the dots with short straight cuts. Center first, work outward.
- 6Light it up
Drop in a battery LED pumpkin light and you're done.
Tools you'll need
For a beginner-friendly carve like this you'll want a paring knife, spoon / scoop, marker, and led pumpkin light. Here's the kit we reach for — start with whatever you already own.
Elmchee Pumpkin Carving Kit
13-piece kit with carrying case
Saws for the larger cutouts, plus a scoop for hollowing. Covers both jobs in one kit.
View on Amazon ↗
HOME MOST LED Pumpkin Lights
4-pack, battery operated, with remote + timer
Orange glow made for jack-o'-lanterns. The remote and timer light the pumpkin every evening without reaching inside.
View on Amazon ↗
Speedball 4131 Lino Cutter Set
Handle + 5 interchangeable cutters
Interchangeable cutters for peeling and shading the face. Useful for the finer details.
View on Amazon ↗
Community Pumpkin Carving Ideas
Carving ideas that use stencils like this one.
Related stencils
Carvers who liked this one also downloaded these.
IntermediateSeven Stars in a Winding Trail
Seven five-pointed stars of varying sizes wind down the pumpkin in a gentle S-curve, like a constellation trailing across the night sky. Each star is a full cut-through opening, so the finished lantern twinkles from every angle. Star points are where beginners slip, so cut each arm from the outer tip inward toward the center and let the cuts meet, which keeps all five points sharp on every star.
IntermediateThree Crescents and Five Stars
Three crescent moons stack down the center of the pumpkin, each curving the same direction, with five little five-point stars scattered around them like a night sky. Every moon and star is cut cleanly through, so the whole face twinkles once the candle is in. A pleasant medium carve; punch the small stars first with a detail saw, then cut each crescent from the inner curve outward to keep the horn tips sharp.
Beginner-friendlyCrescent and Three Stars
A large crescent moon curves down one side of the pumpkin while three five-point stars of different sizes float beside it. All four shapes are cut cleanly through the wall, turning the pumpkin into a glowing night sky that is simple enough for a first-time carver. Since this easy design relies on smooth curves, trace the crescent's inner arc slowly and pop each star out point by point rather than in one piece.
Beginner-friendlyBroad Crescent and Two Dots
A broad crescent moon curving across the pumpkin with two small round stars punched into the sky beside it. The crescent and both dots are cut cleanly through, creating a calm celestial lantern that suits the whole autumn season, not just Halloween. This is a true beginner pattern; cut the inner curve of the crescent first, then the outer curve, and the piece pops free easily.
IntermediateSeven-Rib Shell and Three Dots
A fan-shaped scallop shell spreads seven glowing ribs from a hinged base, crowned by three small round dots floating above like sea spray. Each rib is its own cut-through opening separated by strips of intact wall, so the shell keeps its elegant ridged look when lit. Cut the center rib first and work outward symmetrically, keeping the dividing strips at least a finger-width so the fan stays strong.
IntermediateThree Stars and Small Crescent
Three plump five-pointed stars scatter across the upper face of the pumpkin while a small crescent moon tucks into the lower corner, capturing a dreamy bedtime sky. Every shape cuts cleanly through the wall, and the generous star sizes keep the sawing forgiving. Cut the crescent's inner curve before its outer curve so the thin horn tips at each end release without cracking.