How to Carve a Pumpkin Using a Pattern

Use patterns to guide your pumpkin carving and your jack-o'-lanterns will be the envy of the neighborhood. The best thing to do is to come up with your pattern before you start carving rather than winging it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pumpkin-carving Sets

1. Cut out a lid in the top of the pumpkin large enough to fit your hand and a spoon inside.

2. Add a small notch in the back of the lid. The notch will remind you how the lid is positioned, allow smoke and heat to escape, and ensure that the candle receives enough air to remain lit.

3. Scoop out the pulp and seeds. Retain the seeds for roasting.

4. Scrape the inside of the pumpkin in the area where you'll be using the pattern, until that area is about 1 inch thick.

5. Trim and make small incisions in your pattern so that it lies flat on the face of the pumpkin. Tape the edges of the pattern to the pumpkin.

6. Transfer the pattern by poking small holes along the pattern lines with a drill tool or needle.

7. Remove the pattern.

8. Saw carefully along the dotted lines. Gently push the pieces through with your fingers.

9. Create a glow effect by scraping designs into the shell of your pumpkin with a melon baller, wood gouge or linoleum cutter.

10. Anchor a candle in the bottom of the pumpkin and light the candle. You're now ready to display your best jack-o'-lantern ever.

Tips & Warnings

• When you're cutting out the lid, angle the saw blade toward the center of the pumpkin. This will create a ledge for the lid to sit on so that it doesn't fall into the pumpkin.
• Keep your transfer dots close together. If the dots are hard to see, rub flour over them to make them more visible.
• If your jack-o'-lantern starts to shrivel, soak it in water for several hours to freshen it.
• It's much safer to use a pumpkin-carving tool than a knife - consider picking up a pumpkin-carving set to get the job done right.

Resources

• Downloadable Carving Patterns

on 11/22/2005 It is easier to clean out (and looks better) if you cut your hole on the bottom of the pumpkin. The top of the pumpkin needs a vent hole, too.

on 11/22/2005 If you want a pattern and are not sure you want to push pin holes, then tape a piece of carbon paper to the pumpkin and trace it. Then you will have a line to go by.

on 11/22/2005 Put vaseline and then flour on all cut edges. When you cut the top of the pumpkin out, rub cinnamon and nutmeg on the cut edges to keep it smelling nice. Also sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg on the bottom. When you light a candle inside, it smells great!

on 11/22/2005 Instead of cutting off the lid of your pumpkin, try cutting off the bottom and leaving the top in tact. This keeps the top from shrinking and falling in. It also keeps the pumpkin fresher. Just set your pumkin over a lit candle and enjoy it longer.

on 11/22/2005 I make patterns for my kids by photocopying and enlarging cartoon characters from the funny pages or Disney products. They love picking out the characters and it makes my job easier.