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About this stencil
This free Knight on Horseback pumpkin stencil is a printable PDF pattern you can print at home, tape to your pumpkin, and trace. A mounted knight in full armor charges across this hard pumpkin stencil: a plumed helmet, a raised sword pointing upward, a shield on the left arm, and a rearing horse with flowing mane and tail all read as a single bold silhouette. The composition is cut as one large negative space with only the sword blade, the shield, and the horse's legs as internal solid elements connected by thin skin bridges. Carve the outer silhouette edge first to release the large background, then carefully free the sword blade from top to tip while keeping the shield bridge intact. Use it as a carving template for your Halloween jack-o'-lantern. It is rated Advanced. Actual time varies with preparation, pumpkin size and experience. Fine details and narrow supports need careful planning. Follow the cutting and shading key in this design’s PDF.
Pumpkin size guide
- 🎃 Small (5 to 7"): print at 80%
- 🎃 Medium (7 to 10"): print at 100% (recommended)
- 🎃 Large (11 to 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 the pattern at 100% for a 7 to 10 inch pumpkin, 130% for 11 to 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 to 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 help it last longer.
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
- Thin the pumpkin wall to about 1/2 inch across the tall vertical composition.
- Trace and cut the outer silhouette of the horse and rider in one continuous path, working from the tail around the hooves and up the front legs.
- Release the large background area outside the figure, leaving the composition as a solid island of pumpkin skin.
- Cut along the sword blade, keeping the narrow blade line even from hilt to tip; a single straight guided stroke per side works best.
- Carve the shield opening, preserving the thin skin bridge connecting it to the rider's arm.
- Free any small interior detail cuts (hooflines, mane separations) last with a narrow pointed blade, making short controlled plunges rather than long sweeping cuts.
Tools you'll need
For a advanced carve like this you'll want a fine-detail pumpkin saw, spoon / scoop, pin transfer tool, and small gouge if the pattern includes shading. Here's the kit we reach for, but 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 ↗
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