How to carve a pumpkin

Knowing how to carve a pumpkin can help decorate your home during the Halloween festive season whilst providing an evening of entertainment. The following ‘how to’ provides an easy guide.

Photo Credit: Designlazy.com

Steps

1- Cut a Hole in the Pumpkin. The first step is hollowing out the pumpkin. Use a keyhole saw to cut the hole, failing that, a small but very sharp knife will do. If you’ll be using a candle for illumination, you can cut the hole in the pumpkin’s top (always put the candle in a high-sided glass, and never leave unattended). For electric lights, make the hole in the bottom or side so you can hide the cord. If cutting the hole in the top, be sure to angle the cut so the lid will sit back on top once you have placed the illuminating device inside.

2- Scoop Out the Flesh. Scoop out flesh, pulp, and seeds with a plaster scraper, ice cream scoop or fleshing tool. Failing that a rounded spoon may suffice.

3- Transfer Your Design. Now it’s time to transfer your selected designs. Affix it to the pumpkin, and trace the design by poking holes with a sharp awl, the end of a geometric compass, a needle tool, or T-pin.

4- Carve the Features. Remove the template and carve along the pattern with a miniature saw or linoleum carving tool. Again, a sharp knife will suffice although for maximum detail we highly recommend a scalpel. If you want to make holes in the pumpkin for eyes, use a drill equipped with a 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch spade bit.

5- Illuminate. If desired, place candles, small flashlights, or battery-operated light sources inside your pumpkin.  String lights are preferable to candles for most designs: Wrap a strand of 20 lights around a glass jar, and secure wires with tape. Cut a hole in the hollowed-out pumpkin for the cord, and place jar inside. Unplug lights before leaving the house or going to sleep. If using a candle, place it in a glass or votive holder, and cut a hole in the back of the pumpkin for ventilation (or leave the top off). Battery-operated candles are another good alternative.

Tips

Prevent exposed areas of the pumpkin’s flesh from turning brown by applying a film of Vaseline.