Precision Pumpkin Carving

Every year I carve at least a half dozen pumpkins. My wife usually does a few as well. Recently, we've been getting other friends and family on board, teaching them how to carve their own fantastic-looking pumpkins, using stencils and basic tools.

Now, it's time for YOU to learn, too!

Step 1: Tools and Materials

You will only need a few basic tools and materials to carve pumpkins this cool:

Pumpkin Carving Saws
A push pin, needle, small nail, dentist pick
a metal spoon or pumpkin scoop
tape (any kind)

If you don't have the resources or time to make your own saws, you can purchase them at just about any store around Halloween. Typically these kits come with one or more saws, a poking tool, a scoop and some patterns. The best quality kits are made by Pumpkin Masters, so get those if you can.

You will also need some patterns! My favourite place to go is Zombie Pumpkins, in my opinion the very best place on the 'net to get pumpkin carving patterns. Pumpkin Masters also has a huge selection of patterns, but they are only available in book form. If you're new to this, you don't have to start with the most basic patterns (leave those for your kids). All you need is patience!

Comments

[Halloweengirl]

Another great place to get precision pumpkin carving stencils is at http://ultimate-pumpkin-stencils.com

[lime3D]

The best way to preserve your jack-o-lanterns is to use Dr. Frybrain's Pumpkin Embalmer.

[ericba]

Excellent instructable, thanks a ton.
PIKACHU!!!!

[tokinotabumblebee]

hehe pickachu is my hubby <3

[jeff-o]

Super cute!

[tjesse]

Thanks for making it look easy. I cant wait for next year!

[WingsandFences]

Very nice! Our favorite alien looks great. :)

[jeff-o]

Nice! So you made one of your own?

[WingsandFences]

This is the first year we haven't carved a pumpkin. I was referring to E.T. as our favorite alien. You did a great job. Love the finger. lol :)

[jeff-o]

Oh, I knew what you meant, but I thought you may have made one yourself, too!

Well, next year I guess! ;)

[pmac93]

I made a saw out of a scroll saw blade and a dowel, great tips. the right eye is completely suspended by pins (photoshopped out of course)

[jeff-o]

Nice work! Especially with the eye; very hard to do right.

[pmac93]

thanks!

[Earendilgrey]

To make it easier to see the holes you can sprinkle some baby powder or flour over them and rub it in a bit.  It will fill the holes and make them easier to pick out.

[buttersnake]

That's a great tip, thanks mate! I always had a problem seeing all the holes after I had made them.

[dc0de]

I used graphite with mine, then sharpie'd in the inbetween lines that I was going to remove.

You can see the results below:

[jeff-o]

Nice work!

[whisperonthewind]

After the first poke with the push pin, I'd use jello powder - maybe something like raspberry or cherry so the color is just a bit darker. Poke, dip, poke, dip. It won't use all that much jello powder, and you can make the jello afterward. Maybe just use a bit less water to compensate for the "missing" powder. And kids that tend to put fingers in mouths will not be harmed - I don't even keep baby powder in my house for that reason.

[jeff-o]

Oh, no- Poke, dip, poke, dip would get very tiring very fast.

If you want something non-toxic, use flour. Even better, the kids won't be tempted to eat it like they will jell-o powder!

[egbertfitzwilly]

That is sheer genius. We've been carving with the kids and now the grandkids for decades without stumbling across this nifty trick. Way cool.

[Earendilgrey]

I actually got it out of one of those pumpkin carving books that you can always get around this time of year.  It really helps out with the pattern, especially if it's something complex.

[jeff-o]

 Yup, that'll work, too!

[SabreLightning]

Love this instructable. Your pumpkin turned out great! Do you have any other template source recommendations?

[jeff-o]

Well, you can do a web search for "pumpkin patterns" and you'll turn up a few. Some are even free. But, the only ones online worth paying for are from Zombie Pumpkins. And, you can also buy paper patterns - check your local grocery stores and craft stores. They will probably have a display set up selling patterns along side some cheapo carving saws.

[silentsnip94]

ahhh... fresh baked, salted pumpkin seeds... my favorite

[hiben75]

agreed

[GaBella]

I'm not a purist, so I'd rather buy one of the carve-able fake ones available at craft stores! In fact I started one last year but never got it finished, so if I can figure out which packing box it is in I might have it done by Thanksgiving! (It is a cornucopia). If I do all that work I want it to L-A-A-A-S-T!!!

[jeff-o]

Sure, that'll work fine! Take extra time to get it perfect though - if you're going to re-use it every year, make sure you don't make any mistakes. ;)

[kjbrasda]

I wonder if one of those pointier tracing wheels might work for transfering the pattern. You can get them in nearly needle like spokes.

[jeff-o]

Possibly, as long as the points are close enough together. It would work best for long, smooth lines. Not so great for details.

[onrust]

Scooby ROCKS Mr. O

[zakamooza]

thats so cool! nice job

[Alberta Leong]

super intricate!

[Wehrdo]

 Thanks for all these great tips!!  Here's what I did in about 5 hours.  This is the first pumpkin that I've actually been serious about.  I made some saws to cut precise cuts with, and got the pattern from some World Wildlife Fund/HP partnership thing. I'm going to try to preserve it with bleach, and no vaseline.  I think that if I put vaseline on it, it will lock the moisture in and allow the pumpkin to rot.

[CrLz]

Nice!

[matstermind]

do you have a stencil for that?

[Wehrdo]

Sorry for the late reply, but here:

http://www.worldwildlife.org/sites/pumpkins/

[matstermind]

thanks, but i found it on google right after i posted the comment :P

[MrRedBeard]

No

[MoreThanRainbows]

That is really intricate! It's really impressive!