Pumpkin Carving Tips

October is finally here! While Halloween is still several weeks away, I’ve already started thinking about costumes, parties and the best part–carving pumpkins. I have tons of fond memories of carving little grinning pumpkins and placing them on the stoop when I was growing up, and to me it just isn’t Halloween without a few jack-o-lanterns sitting around!

So, if you’re planning out your next Halloween pumpkin, then here are some tips to make sure yours is the coolest pumpkin ever!

Choosing the right pumpkin

• Make sure the pumpkin is fresh
• It needs to have a flat bottom–you don’t want it to roll away!
• Tall, skinny pumpkins are stringier on the inside, but make for more interesting shapes
• You might want to look for a pumpkin that isn’t as heavy, as that will mean the walls aren’t thick. However, if you get a heavier one, then you’ll get some pumpkin to bake with but it’ll require more work.
• Look for a sturdy stem–but don’t hold it by the stem!

Preparing the pumpkin

• Wash the pumpkin to get rid of any bacteria on the skin; this will help preserve it too
• Cut the top of the pumpkin at an angle so you can set it back when it’s emptied. Alternatively, you can cut out the bottom or a spot in the back instead, depending on your pattern.
• If the walls are thick, scoop out some of the lining, but be sure to save it for baking!
• Make sure that the walls opposite your carving purpose are smooth to make for the best lighting conditions
• Decide what you want to carve. You can find printable pumpkin patterns online.

Carving it right

• Carve at a 90 degree angle to make the pumpkin look best
• Try only cutting the skin and leaving the pulp for some pieces to get a more interesting look
• If you’re hand-drawing your pumpkin, make sure the pumpkin is completely dry and use a dry erase marker. It will wipe off when you’re done and make the pumpkin look better when finished
• If you’re tracing a pattern, use a toothpick, needle or other sharp object to poke small holes as a guide for carving.
• Carve the smallest parts first, then the larger parts
• If a piece falls out that shouldn’t, use toothpicks to secure it in place once the rest is carved
• Be patient! The slower your carve, the more precise it will be and the better it will look
• Use a pumpkin saw or other small saw, but be sure to actually saw–up and down motions–instead of trying to use it like a knife. Your cuts will be cleaner

Preserve your masterpiece

• If you didn’t do it earlier, wash the outside of the pumpkin with a bleach-water solution
• If the pumpkin starts to look shriveled, place it carved side down into a bucket of cold water and let it sit for a few hours or even overnight. It will refresh the pumpkin. Dry it as soon as you remove the pumpkin from the water.
• Add a little petroleum jelly to the carved parts of the pumpkin to help retain moisture and keep it from drying out
• Be sure to add a chimney for heat to escape if you’re using a candle. Drilling a small hole in the top should work.

Other Tips and Ideas

• Be patient!! The finished product will be well worth it
• Sprinkle cinnamon inside the pumpkin before you light it for a delicious pumpkin pie smell
• Can’t decide what to do? Try placing the pumpkin on its side and carving a face on the top, using the stem as a nose
• Depending on the size of your pumpkin, you can place colored tissue paper inside the pumpkin to create a colored look. Since tissue is flammable, be very careful doing this.
• For a surprising look, carve a green pumpkin or paint it.
• Instead of one big pumpkin, try carving several smaller pumpkins for a little pumpkin army!
• You can create eerie shadows by carving a pattern on the inside of the pumpkin
• Use your scraps – either use them for cooking or consider using them to add to your pumpkin, like adding a tongue, ears or a nose.

Do you have any other tricks for carving pumpkins? Tell us in the comments! Happy pumpkin carving everyone!