How to Carve a Pumpkin

Today, we are going to teach you how to carve a pumpkin. These instructions offer a simple, step by step guideline on how to successfully carve a beautiful pumpkin. Why would a person carve a pumpkin you ask? Many people, young and old, carve pumpkins at Halloween time. Halloween, also called “All Hallows Eve” or “All Saints Day” “Day of the Dead” or “Devil’s Night,” is most commonly an annual American holiday that is celebrated on October 31st, however, it is celebrated in Ireland, Scotland, Canada and Mexico as well. Pumpkin carving is one of many activities that take place during Halloween. Trick-or-treating, dressing in costumes, attending haunted houses and bonfires, and bobbing for apples are also typical around this time. Thinking up ideas for your pumpkin and designing scary Jack-o-lantern faces are the best part of the holiday. People of all ages enjoy carving pumpkins; however, children should be supervised by an adult as there is a knife and open flame involved in carving a pumpkin. Carving your pumpkin will take you approximately an hour with clean up and design included. It won’t take long to make but your pumpkin will illuminate your doorstep or window for weeks during the Halloween season.

Step 1: Items needed:

Garbage bag
Large Spoon
Carving knife (kitchen knife)
Paper or Stencil
Tape or thumbtacks
Marker (washable)
Pumpkin
Lighter or matches
Tea Light Candle
Towel or Paper Towels
Water
Cinnamon (optional)

Comments

[Halloweengirl]

I found a very helpful video http://ultimate-pumpkin-stencils.com/2009/how-to-carve-a-pumpkin-and-use-a-pumpkin-stencil I got a cool pumpkin stencil from them too!

[lschwartz]

Here's a trick to add to your carving repertoire. If anyone looks closely at your pumpkin, you can give them a real puzzler, i.e., "How did he do it?" My trick is to first level the pumpkin by shaving small bits off the bottom. Then, instead of cutting the access hole in the top, cut it in the bottom! After that, carve the thing in the usual matter. Put the candle on the top of the cut-out bottom piece, and lower the pumpkin over it. Everyone knows you carve from the outside, but how did you hollow it out without a lid?

[fredellarby]

Just a couple of suggestions.
I don't like using a carving knife for heavy cutting. A drywall / keyhole saw works easier to get through the pumpkin.
I also use this or a rotary tool for the pattern. The rotary tool lets me get more detail than a large knife.
I don't like using candles around kids or animals or outside (teenagers !). I switched to the glow chem-lights. I get them cheap at the dollar stores. Toss in enough spooky green ones to get the brightness you want (I use 3) and they'll last all night.

[rustymia]

Go Hawks!