10 Amazing Pumpkin Carving Ideas

Posted by on Oct 25, 2011

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Pumpkin carving ideas usually fall into one of two categories: Overly simplified (just make a face on the pumpkin) or exceptionally difficult (anything in Martha Stewart Living's October issue). We'd like to think that these projects fall somewhere in the middle, with a nod to a few inspiring "extreme" pumpkins. Depending on your carving skills, these are all possible to make, providing you have a linoleum carving kit (like this one from Speedball). These tools will allow you to do things like etch and carve fine details with minimal work. In the meantime, we'll stick to a Pac-Man jack o'lantern like the one above.
Need a handy primer on pumpkin carving? Visit the pros at Extreme Pumpkins.

pumpkin carving ideas, owl pumpkins
Flickr.com/indigoprime
Silly Owls

These owl pumpkins are simply adorable, aren't they? Though you can treat the pumpkin as the owl body, we especially like the tree silhouette with the owl on a branch.
Happy Meal pumpkin carving idea
Flickr.com/betsyweber
Happy Halloween Meal

Our favorite idea yet: A Happy Meal, rendered in pumpkin form. Even the fries are pumpkin (wedges, that is). Now we're hungry...
flowers, pumpkin carving idea
Flickr.com/theta444
Fancy Flowers

If you can do this, we'll be super-impressed. Here, dahlias and roses decorate the surface of a pumpkin for an elegant jack o'lantern alternative.
wordpress pumpkin carving idea
Flickr.com/ericmartin
Monogrammed Pumpkin

Okay, we get that this pumpkin is a tribute to Wordpress. But we think the idea is worth borrowing for other letters, to create custom monograms.


monster pumpkin carving idea
Flickr.com/inabeanpod
It's a Monster

This idea is the most popular for Halloween 2011: A jack o'lantern that's eating another jack o'lantern. How meta. To create this, just give a mini-pumpkin a terrified expression and stick it in the mouth of a larger carved pumpkin.
cow pumpkin carving idea
Flickr.com/Urban Sea Star
Holy Cow

Who says Halloween has to be scary all the time? This cow begs to differ. It's beautifully sculpted from the surface of a pumpkin, portrait-style.
cat pumpkin carving idea
Flickr.com/foamcow
Cute Cat

A spooky cat is a Halloween classic. You don't have to get too detailed either to get the feline point across. A cat face and tail (or a silhouette) will do.


nautical pumpkin carving idea
Flickr.com/eahautam
Pumpkin at Sea


For those of you who love a nautical theme year-round comes this pumpkin, which depicts an old-timey boat at sea. Although it kind of reminds us of the Old Spice label. Agree or disagree?
spider web pumpkin carving idea
Flickr.com/branditressler
Gorgeous Spiderwebs

Yes, spiderwebs can go gorgeous. The proof? This amazingly detailed pumpkin. It's almost like a mini gothic cathedral. To carve this level of tiny detail, definitely use a Dremel drill with a fine bit.



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