How to Make a Pretty Fretwork Pumpkin
![Pierced Pumpkin Halloween Decoration Candlelight shines through the pumpkin's holes.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2012/3/12/0/original_Layla-Palmer-Halloween-Beauty-Pierced-Pumpkin_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400970767127.jpeg)
Materials Needed:
- pumpkin
- household drill
- large and small drill bits
- sharp knife or pumpkin saw
- large serving spoon
- newspaper
- painter's tape
- paper towels
- Q-tips
- votive holder and votive or LED candle
Empty Out Pumpkin
Place pumpkin on several layers of newspaper. Using a kitchen knife or pumpkin saw, cut a large hole in the pumpkin's bottom. Use a serving spoon to remove all pumpkin flesh and seeds from inside.
Tip: Save the seeds to toast later for a healthy snack.
![Empty Out Pumpkin Hollow Out Pumpkin](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2012/5/30/0/original_Layla-Palmer-Halloween-Pierced-Pumpkin-Step1_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400972792529.jpeg)
Apply Tape
Attach a piece of painter's tape around the center of the pumpkin. Apply another row of painter's tape approximately 2 inches above the first piece of painter's tape.
![Attach a piece of painter's tape around the center of the pumpkin.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2012/5/30/1/original_Layla-Palmer-Halloween-Pierced-Pumpkin-Step2_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400972913873.jpeg)
![Attach a piece of painter's tape around the center of the pumpkin. Apply another row of painter's tape approximately 2 inches above the first piece of painter's tape.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2012/5/30/1/original_Layla-Palmer-Halloween-Pierced-Pumpkin-Step3_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400972913854.jpeg)
Drill Holes Using Large Bit
Use a large drill bit to drill holes into the pumpkin just under the top piece of painter's tape. Drill another row of large holes all the way around the pumpkin, just above the bottom piece of painter's tape. Remove both pieces of tape and drill a third row of large holes directly above the top row of holes.
![Use a large drill bit to drill holes into the pumpkin just under the top piece of painter's tape.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2012/5/30/1/original_Layla-Palmer-Halloween-Pierced-Pumpkin-Step4_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400972913599.jpeg)
![Use a large drill bit to drill holes into the pumpkin just under the top piece of painter's tape. Drill another row of large holes all the way around the pumpkin, just above the bottom piece of painter's tape. Remove both pieces of tape and drill a third row of large holes directly above the top row of holes.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2012/5/30/1/original_Layla-Palmer-Halloween-Pierced-Pumpkin-Step5_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400972961511.jpeg)
![Drilling holes in the pumpkin will allow candlelight to shine through.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2012/5/30/1/original_Layla-Palmer-Halloween-Pierced-Pumpkin-Step6_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400972914126.jpeg)
Drill Holes Using Small Bit
Replace the large drill bit with a much smaller one and proceed to drill smaller holes in between and above each of the large ones, all the way around the pumpkin. Drill one last row of small holes below the bottom row of large ones. The smaller holes should fall directly in between and above or below each of the larger holes.
![Replace the large drill bit with a much smaller one and proceed to drill smaller holes in between and above each of the large ones, all the way around the pumpkin.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2012/5/30/1/original_Layla-Palmer-Halloween-Pierced-Pumpkin-Step7_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400972913581.jpeg)
![After drilling the large holes, replace the large drill bit with a much smaller one and drill smaller holes in between and above each of the large ones, all the way around the pumpkin.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2012/5/30/1/original_Layla-Palmer-Halloween-Pierced-Pumpkin-Step8_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400972913499.jpeg)
![Use hand-held drill to make holes in pumpkin. Be sure to drill all the way through the pumpkin flesh, otherwise the candle light will not shine through.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2012/5/30/0/original_Layla-Palmer-Halloween-Pierced-Pumpkin-Step9_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400972913191.jpeg)
Clean Up and Add Candle
Use a paper towel and Q-tips to remove excess pumpkin flesh and skin from drilled holes, then place the pumpkin over the top of a lit or LED votive candle.
![Candle Light through Pumpkin Pierced Halloween Pumpkin](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2012/5/30/0/original_Layla-Palmer-Halloween-Pierced-Pumpkin-Step10_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400972913407.jpeg)