Carving a pumpkin is much more difficult than it seems, no matter how beginner or expert you are. Here we round up the best tips for bringing your spooky creations to life, from the standard triangle eyes and toothy grin to a sparkly masterpiece!
Select a pumpkin
Whether the pumpkin comes from the store or is selected from one of the many pumpkin patches, find a canvas that fits your plans (large or small, perfectly round or misshapen). Whatever the design, look for a pumpkin that is fresh and free of bruises or cuts and has a flat bottom to keep it stable.
Use a template to perfect your design
Create your own or get inspired by the many websites dedicated to carving pumpkins. Make sure your chosen template is sized for the front of your pumpkin, then carefully trace the image by poking holes along the lines. Once finished, remove the template and it’s time to carve!
Open from below
This keeps the pretty shape of the pumpkin. Also, much of the dirt inside the gourd settle to the bottom over time so when you remove the opening, much of the pulp and seeds will come out with it making cleanup easier. Lastly, this also makes it easier to place and light the candle.
Remove the pulp
Be sure to completely scrape out the inside of the pumpkin. Clean sides reduce spoilage and will allow light to shine evenly. Be sure to save the seeds for toasting!
Thin the walls of the pumpkin
Now that the pumpkin is clean, you need to thin out the walls. Pumpkins tend to have very thick walls, and for the light to shine through, you need to thin it down to about 1/2 to 1 inch thick.
Light it up
Place the candle(s) in your pumpkin before lighting it. If you don’t want to use candles, try Christmas lights, especially ones that flicker for a spooky look.
