Tips for pumpkin carving

For tools, at the minimum you’ll need a carving saw, a pen or sharp pencil and an unsharpened pencil. You can also use saws of several sizes, a pumpkin carving kit (found at discount and craft stores), a drill or a rotary tool.

1. Begin by preparing the pumpkin for carving (cutting the hole in the top and removing the seeds and pulp).

2. Print out the stencil on lightweight computer paper and trim around the stencil, leaving at least ½” border. Tape the stencil to the pumpkin, top and bottom first, then the sides. Crease the paper where needed and try to crease it where it will distort the stencil the least.

3. Using a transfer tool or pen/pencil and mark the design, making marks every 1/8″ and poking just through the skin. Make sure all the lines are marked before removing the stencil as these will be the guides for cutting.

4. Use a carving saw and “connect the dots” to carefully carve out the design. Carve out small areas first. Remove and reinsert the blade around corners. Push out cut pieces with an unsharpened pencil.

5. After carving the design, trim the inside edges to remove excess. Try to achieve a 45 degree angle so that the light can shine through. Coat the carved edges with petroleum jelly to help the pumpkin last longer. Store pumpkin in the refrigerator when not in use.


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