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A classic Halloween silhouette of a witch on a broomstick crossing a full moon fills this pumpkin stencil. The large circle is carved out as a single open pierce, leaving the witch and cat riding the broom as raised orange pumpkin forms within the glowing moon. Wisps of hair or cloak stream behind the figure, and a black cat perches at the broom's tip. Because the witch's streaming hair separates into narrow strips, cut those final wisps with a fine detail blade and work from the broom tip toward the figure to avoid breaking them. This design is rated Advanced and takes most carvers around 150 minutes from trace to glow. Multi-layer cuts with skin-peel shading. Plan your cuts first.
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
- Transfer all outlines, paying close attention to the moon circle edge and the thin hair wisps.
- Cut the large moon circle first to create the glowing background; keep the scored edge clean and continuous.
- Carve the open areas around the broom handle and tail end.
- Work along the witch's body outline, cutting the interior negative spaces between the cloak and legs.
- Save the thin streaming hair wisps and the cat's tail for last, using a narrow blade; cut with light, controlled strokes from the base outward.
- Use a bright LED inside to backlight the moon; the silhouetted witch and cat will stand out in sharp relief.
Tools you'll need
For a advanced carve like this you'll want a linoleum cutter set, x-acto knife, peel tool, and pin transfer wheel. 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.
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Community Pumpkin Carving Ideas
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Beginner-friendlyUpright Cat Beneath a Crescent
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Beginner-friendlySeated Cat with Upright Tail
A seated cat in profile, ears pricked and long tail curling upward, cut entirely through so the whole silhouette becomes a window of warm light. The design has no interior details, which keeps it simple, but the slender curved tail asks for a little care. An easy carve overall; save the tail for last and support the wall with your free hand as you follow its curve so the tip stays intact.
IntermediateBent Hat with Nine Sparkles
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Beginner-friendlyCauldron and Three Bubbles
A round-bellied witch's cauldron with side handles and little legs, carved as one big glowing cutout, while three round bubble holes rise above the rim like escaping brew. Everything cuts fully through, so the pot blazes and the bubbles float as bright dots. One of the easiest spooky designs going; punch the three bubbles first, then saw the cauldron body in sections, leaving the handle nubs attached to the main opening.
IntermediateSlanted Cat Eyes and Whiskers
A low, wide cat face with menacing slanted eyes, a triangle nose, and long horizontal whisker slashes stretching across both cheeks. Each feature is pierced clean through, and the wide layout suits a squat, round pumpkin. Angle your saw to match the eye slant, and cut the long whiskers in two passes from the outside in so the thin slits stay crisp and even.