How to Carve a Peace Sign on a Pumpkin

Carve your own peace sign pumpkin.

Carving a peace sign on a pumpkin requires some preparation and planning to ensure that your pumpkin looks good in the end. Using the right tools enables you to clean out the inside of the pumpkin, etch the design and cut through its walls. Some carving experts only cut through the surface of a pumpkin's skin, which creates a soft glow when light shines through it. Different styles of pumpkin carving have become a popular novelty, and several craft sites offer stencils, tools and instructions to help you create your own, unique pumpkin.

Instructions

1. Select a peace sign stencil to use on your pumpkin that you can resize, download and print. You can access the resource link below to use a free stencil or purchase one from a stencil website. You can also use a photocopy machine to enlarge or shrink a picture of a peace sign to fit the pumpkin. Make sure to pick a pumpkin that has a large enough surface for the size of the peace sign.

2. Prepare your pumpkin by cutting slices off the bottom with a butcher knife or keyhole saw, until it sits level. Hollow the pumpkin out with a large spoon, clay modeling tool or a pumpkin kit scoop. You can find a keyhole saw at a hardware store and clay modeling tools at an art store.

3. Tape the peace sign pattern onto the pumpkin's best side. Use a tracing tool or something with a pointed tip to transfer the design into the surface of the skin. Gently follow the pattern to create your carving outline and avoid poking holes all the way through the pumpkin's walls.

4. Remove the peace sign pattern and place the pumpkin in your lap for a better grip while you carve it. Hold the pumpkin with one hand and the saw in your other hand like a pencil. Start in the middle of the pattern, carving only the surface and working your way to the outside. By carving out the skin first, you can avoid serious mistakes and may decide to leave it that way for a softer, glowing look. To prevent black streaks caused by a candle, use holiday lights to illuminate your pumpkin.

Tips & Warnings

• It's best if you can use a specific pumpkin carving tool or a craft tool with a long blade. Many craft stores carry a pumpkin carving tool and combination tool kits designed to help make this process easier.

References

• Better Homes and Gardens: Halloween Pumpkin Carving Basics
• Better Homes and Gardens: 11 Tips for Carving Expressive Pumpkins

Resources

• Better Homes and Gardens: Carve a Pumpkin
• Clker.com: Free Peace Sign Clip Art