Carve A Better Pumpkin This Halloween
Written by Carla Lowe - Thursday, 25 September 2008
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 If your pumpkin last Halloween looked like it could have been carved by an eight-year-old, or if you’re determined this year to finally have a better-looking pumpkin than your neighbor,
or, all competition aside, if you simply would like to improve your pumpkin-carving skills, here are a few tips to help you carve a better pumpkin this Halloween.
Before you can get started, there are a few things you’ll need:
- knives for carving
- tools for creating a pattern
- votive candles
- old newspapers for the mess
You may want to consider investing in a pumpkin-carving kit, which will contain most of what you’ll need for this project. You may find the tools that come with such a kit (particularly the carving knives and the stencils) will work better than what you’ll find in your kitchen.
Pick your pattern
Determine what type of pattern, design, shape, or face you’d like to create and carve onto your pumpkin to create the perfect Jack-O-Lantern. Pumpkins, just like people, come in all shapes and sizes, and the pattern you want will affect what type of pumpkin you pick. Don’t know what to carve?
Here are some ideas:
- funny, laughing face
- scary face
- creepy face (wide, toothy grin)
- mummy
- Halloween nighttime sky
- black cat
- spider
- ghost
- tiered tower
Pick your pumpkin
Choose your pumpkin carefully, based on the pattern/design you have already selected as well as the overall health of the pumpkin. You’ll want the pumpkin to be ripe and free of bruises and cuts. Smooth and flat will work best for detailed stenciling; however, bumpy can work to your advantage, too (depending on your pattern). Bigger is usually better, but if you’re displaying it on your window sill, you’ll need something smaller.
 Prepare your pumpkin
You’ve got your pumpkin and your tools, but don’t think you can just dive right into carving. Your pumpkin needs some preparation first.
- cut the lid: draw a circle around the stem (and cut along the circle, slowly, with a boning knife, cutting away from your hand, angled toward the center.
- clean it out: use your hands first to get out as much pumpkin goo (seeds, pulp, string, etc.) as you can, then use a spoon to get out the rest; scrape out the inner wall of the side on which you wish to carve.
- draw the pattern: either draw it yourself or use a pumpkin stencil to trace onto the pumpkin if you’re lacking in the artistic department. Tips: use a non-permanent marker or a wax pencil; this way, you can erase mistakes using a moist paper towel. Make sure the pattern is big enough so you’ll be able to carve it out properly.
Carve your pumpkin
Now it’s time to start carving! The biggest piece of advice to carving a better pumpkin this Halloween is to take your time. Also, remember to be careful, as using knives can be dangerous. Find a comfortable and safe location and position before you start carving. Take your designated carving knives and start carving out the pattern you have drawn or traced, using the smallest blades for the more detailed features. Throw out cut-out pieces of pumpkin as you go.
Display your pumpkin
Mount your carved pumpkin in its place (porch, doorway, window sill, etc.), put the candles you have chosen (small votive ones work best) carefully inside your pumpkin, light them, replace the lid you cut out, and voila! Your masterpiece Jack-O-Lantern is ready for the world to see and envy!
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