How To Carve A Pumpkin: Tips And Techniques

It’s that time of year again, and you’ve probably seen them for sale around your Portland apartment at the local fire stations, the farmer’s market or the grocery store. Pumpkins – they are the symbol of the season, and with Halloween on the way, it’s not a bad idea to sharpen your pumpkin carving skills and learn a new trick or two.

Choosing Your Pumpkin

Photo By: Adam J R

The ultimate thing to remember when it comes to pumpkin carving tips is to choose the perfect pumpkin. Smaller pumpkins are harder to carve and can have a denser skin with innards that are more difficult to remove. You want to find a pumpkin that has a large enough surface for your pattern, can sit upright without rolling over and doesn’t have a lot of bruising or damage. A sturdy, long stem is also a plus.

How to Carve a Pumpkin

1. Gather your tools. You’ll need a pairing knife, a boning knife, a marker, a spoon and a bowl for the innards.
2. Cover a flat, stable surface with newspaper or plastic.
3. Use a damp cloth to wipe the surface of the pumpkin clean and pat dry.
4. Draw a circle around the pumpkin’s stem with a marker or pencil. This is going to be the lid of the pumpkin, so make sure you draw the circle big enough to stick your hand in and scoop out the seeds.
5. Insert a steak or boning knife at a 45 degree angle and carefully cut along the circle you drew.
6. Lift the lid off gently and try not to break the stem.
7. Use a large spoon or your hands to scoop out the seeds. Gently scrap the insides to get rid of any hanging pulp.
8. Use a marker to draw your face or pattern on the surface of the pumpkin.
9. Use a fine pairing knife to cut your design or face.
10. While cutting out your design keep your fingers on the outside surface of the pumpkin to make sure you don’t poke through the skin of the pumpkin and cut your hand.
11. After cutting, push pieces into the pumpkin and scoop out.
12. Place the candle inside the pumpkin and light with a long grill lighter. Replace lid.

Photo By: Morganglines

Check out these resources to find some cool pumpkin carving ideas:

Pumpkin Carving Ideas
Free Printable Carving Patterns and Pumpkin Faces
Pumpkin Carving Kits
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin Carving Safety for Adults and Children

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