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View all stencils →About this stencil
Five elongated petal-shaped openings fan out from a point near the base, forming a glowing scallop shell topped by two small round dots below. Each opening is fully pierced, and the ribs of shell left between them create the fan effect. Keep those dividing ribs at least half an inch wide as you cut so the fan holds its structure, working from the center petal outward. 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 ↗
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Beginner-friendlyPlus Above Four Windows
A bold medical plus sign glows at the top while a row of small square windows and a larger doorway below turn the pumpkin into a tiny lit-up hospital. Every shape cuts straight through, and the straight-edged squares make this an easy, tidy carve, perfect for healthcare workers or a first-responder porch display. Score each square with a ruler before cutting so the windows line up in a neat row.
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.
IntermediateFour Trailing Stars and Dots
Four five-pointed stars in descending sizes sweep diagonally across the pumpkin, joined by a few small round dots that read like distant sparkles. Each star and dot is cut fully through, so the cluster twinkles convincingly once a candle goes in. The star points are what make this a medium carve; drill a starter hole at the center of each star and always saw from the middle out toward each tip to keep the points sharp.
IntermediateThree Unequal Stars and Dots
Three five point stars in different sizes drift diagonally across the pumpkin, joined by a scatter of small round dots like distant starlight. Each star and dot is cut fully through, turning the whole pumpkin into a little constellation lantern. The medium challenge is the stars' inner corners; use a thin blade, cut point to point, and finish the tiny dots with a drill or apple corer.
IntermediateSix Petals and Six Dots
A six-petal flower blooms at the center, each teardrop petal cut fully through around a solid rind disc that forms the flower's middle. Six small round holes circle the bloom like scattered seeds, letting extra pinpoints of light through. Designed to shine on a bottle gourd or pumpkin as a garden lantern; a medium carve where the main care point is keeping the petal tips from tearing into the neighboring holes.
Beginner-friendlyFive Glowing Shapes
Five bold glowing shapes scattered across the pumpkin: two stars, a circle, a square, and a triangle, like a preschool lesson turned into a lantern. Every shape is cut fully through with generous spacing, so there are no fragile bridges and each opening throws its own pool of light. As an easy design it is ideal for carving with little kids: let them pick the shape order and poke the transfer dots while an adult handles the actual cutting.