For a small pumpkin, cut 4 paper strips that are 1 inch wide by 11 or 12 inches tall. For a larger pumpkin, cut 8 paper strips that are 1.5 inches wide by 9 inches tall.
Forr a small pumpkin, glue two paper strips together in the middle to create a plus shape. Glue two more paper strips on diagonally so it looks like the picture. For the larger pumpkin, glue the eight paper strips together, fanned out in a circle to look like the picture. Punch a hole in the end of each strip.
Fold a pipe cleaner in half and twist a small loop in the end. Flatten the loop.
Beginning with the top strip, thread the pipe cleaner through the loops on the end of the strip. Repeat with remaining strips. (For the larger pumpkin, start with the bottom strip and move up.)
Continue threading the pipe cleaner through all the strips to create a pumpkin shape. Twist the pipe cleaner on top of the pumpkin and create another loop to secure the paper strips. Curl the pipe cleaner around a pencil.
Roll up a small scrap of brown paper and glue to the pipe cleaners to create a stem if desired.