By paring away the skin and only part of the flesh rather than carving all the way through, the lantern becomes translucent when lit from within. The harlequin pattern combines both techniques, resulting in a multicolored effect.
Translucent Pumpkins
Halloween custom calls for a fiercely lit, glowering jack-o'-lantern, but you might also consider the more subtle glow of an elegant monogram, playful spirals, or a whimsical harlequin pattern.
Martha Stewart Living, October 1998
http://www.marthastewart.com/264169/translucent-pumpkins
© 2013 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. All rights reserved.