What would Halloween be without a macabre evocation of the denizens of the night? These multilegged creatures rise up from the damp earth and moss to skitter across cold stones.

Black-green squashes, such as 'Table Ace' acorn, are carved with a linoleum cutter, which removes only the outer flesh.

Tools and Materials
Dark-color squash
Spider templates
Scissors
Keyhole saw
Fleshing tool
Masking tape
Awl
Linoleum cutter set
Strand of 25 miniature outdoor lights
Glass jar

To Prepare Squash
1. Size template as needed to fit squash. Print, and trim excess paper around template.

2. Cut a hole at the base of squash, large enough to fit glass jar, with keyhole saw.

3. Clean the inside of pumpkin with fleshing tool, removing seeds, pulp, and fibers.

4. Affix template to squash with masking tape. Using awl, transfer design to squash by poking holes around blackened areas. Remove template.

To Carve Spider
1. With linoleum cutter fitted with a No. 2 blade, carve spider, exposing flesh without cutting all the way through. For finer details, switch to a No. 1 blade; for larger sections, use a No. 3 blade.

2. Wrap lights evenly around jar, securing strands with tape so that lights don't touch. Set squash over jar to test design. If some details appear less bright than others, remove lights and scrape more flesh from inside using fleshing tool. Re-cover lights.