How to carve a pumpkin

The air is feeling just a bit crisp…the days are getting darker more quickly, and the sound of crunching leaves fills your ears. The festive season of fall is a favorite for many as so many traditions surround this wonderful time of year. One of the more popular ones of course is Halloween. This brings about thoughts of ghosts and goblins, bobbing for apples, and of course, carving pumpkins. Nothing sets the mood like an eerily lit pumpkin adorning your doorstep.

Carving a pumpkin is easier said than done and can take a steady hand and a bit of practice to create a true masterpiece. Below is a simple 5 step process to help you carve that perfect pumpkin every time!

1.  Pick your pumpkin - Whether you are a Practiced Pumpkin Picasso, or this is your first time working with squash, having a smooth, even canvas is a help to ANY artist. Choose a medium sized pumpkin with a smooth surface. Pumpkins that have deep ridges or are deformed don’t make the carving job any easier. In addition, going too small can make the carving delicate and difficult and going to big can be a bit overwhelming for the first timer.

2.  Gather the right tools for the job - In short, you will need: Newspaper to prevent mess

1. Large spoon or scraping device for cleaning inside of pumpkin out
2. sharp kitchen knife or carving kit (many manufactures sell safety blade carving kits)
3. Large bowl for collecting pumpkins seeds/debris
4. graphite pencil for drawing face (or fine tipped black marker)
5. Pumpkin face stencil (not necessary, but a huge help for pumpkin carving newbie’s!)

3.  Scoop it clean - To begin…OF WITH ITS HEAD! Start by cutting a hole in the top of the pumpkin approximately 2-3 inches around the stem. Make sure to cut all the way through and cut at a slight angle so when you can replace the top later.

Now, scoop out the entire inside of the pumpkin. This is the messy part, but make sure to do a thorough job. Use a spoon or your hands and place all the GOOK into the bowl you gathered in step 2. Don’t forget to use your spoon to create a little flat surface on the bottom of the pumpkin to use for a candle once you are all finished.

4. Draw the face BEFORE you carve the face - Some folks like to free form their pumpkins, but if you are a beginner or want to REALLY wow the crowd, start with a stencil. Stencils can be found online for free, or you can buy them at Halloween stores. They allow you to cut out the stencil, tape it to the pumpkin, and then use it to draw a face directly onto the surface of the pumpkin. Whether you go this route or just freehand it, make sure your lines are clearly visible so you can stay on track once you begin your carving magic.

5. Insert the knife and get to work - Now it’s time to bring this round orange fruit to life! First of all, before we begin a quick word of caution…NO FOLDING KNIVES! Seems like a simple one to remember, but nonetheless, safety first. Ok, now, when carving a pumpkin, it is important that you have a firm grasp of the pumpkin with one hand and you hold your knife steady in the other hand.

As for the hand that is holding the pumpkin, make sure it is away from the knife in case you slip upon entering the rind. Speaking of the rind, pumpkins are a tough breed, so using a sharp knife is a must. Insert the blade firmly and begin working the knife around the outline of the face you already drew. If your design has any small, intricate aspects to it, carve these FIRST. Once you begin removing chunks of pumpkins, making smaller cuts will become more and more difficult without damaging the existing rind.

If you must make angles, or carve rounded lines, make small cuts and remove the knife each time. Trying to turn the knife while INSIDE the pumpkin can be difficult and lead to injury. Continue your design, take your time, and be aware of where your hands are at all time to avoid injury.

Once your design has been completely carved, finish up with any small, detail work to ensure that your lines are clean and you are finished! All that is left is placing a lighted candle or light tube inside the pumpkin and setting it out for display! If you followed the steps carefully, took your time and used the proper tools, you should have a high quality, perfectly carved pumpkin ready to scare any of the UNDEAD who may travel your way…