Neat and Easy Pumpkin Carving Step by Step Instructable

This Pumpkin carving instructable is a great and cheap activity to do with children for Halloween!

Step 1: Gathering Supplies

First thing to do is gather your supplies. You will need:
- one medium to large size pumpkin
- carving knife ( a kitchen knife is what I used)
- thumb tacs or nails
- baking powder (optional)
- pen/ sharpie
- spoon
- large bowl
- candle
- 9 1/2 x 11 white paper

Step 2: Creating Your Design

There are many different options for selecting what character your pumpkin will be playing this Halloween. You can design your own by sketching out a large character or scene on your sheet of paper. It is important to leave edges big enough so that when carving your pumpkin the image has something sturdy enough to keep it up. Another option is searching the Internet for a pumpkin carving patter you enjoy and simply printing it out.

Step 3: Create a Lid

To create the lid for the pumpkin; place the knife into pumpkin at a slant,this is to ensure that when you place the lid back on the pumpkin it won't fall through. Instead it will have a ledge to sit steadily on. Next work your way around in a large enough circle to ensure easy access for your hands.

Step 4: Remove Insides

Here comes the messiest and sometimes most enjoyable part of this Instructable. Remove all the seeds and strings inside the pumpkin. This is easiest done with a large kitchen spoon or a ladle. It is also a good idea to shave down the walls of your pumpkin with a spoon to about an inch thick, to make carving easier.

Step 5: Attach Drawing to Pumpkin

Attach your personal drawing to the flattest side on your pumpkin by pinning it with either thumb tacks or small nails. Next use thumb tacks to outline your drawing by placing them about an eighth of an inch apart along all lines of the image.

Step 6: Powder

After you have completed your outline, remove your paper from the pumpkin but keep handy for visual aid.Then rub the powder over holes so that you can see your image more clearly.

Step 7: Connect the Dots

Now lightly connect the dots with your sharpie or pen to make cutting easier on your eyes.

Step 8: Carving!

You are ready to begin carving.Take this process slow as it is very easy to make mistakes and cut yourself. I would advise doing the smallest sections first as they are the trickiest.

Step 9: Finishing Touches

After carving is complete, remove any excess shavings from inside your pumpkin, place desired candle inside, light and place lid back on top.
Enjoy, and Happy Halloween!