No-carve pumpkin: Enchanting braids

Materials 1 large pumpkin Pink spray paint Scissors Metallic cord Polyester ombré yarn Glue gun

Directions 1. Spray-paint the pumpkin and stem pink. Let dry, about 1 hour.

2. Cut 1 piece of metallic cord and 2 pieces of ombré yarn a several inches longer than the length of the pumpkin from stem to base. Braid the three strands together, knotting at each end. Repeat until you have enough braids mimic the pumpkin's natural lines, about 10–15. Spacing them evenly, affix braids to the pumpkin, vertically, from stem to base, with hot glue

3. To cover the top braid ends, cut 1 length of metallic cord and 2 equal lengths of yarn, and braid together until long enough to circle the stem;

A version of this article appeared in our October 2015 issue with the headline “Smashing pumpkins,” pp. 77-82.