How to Carve a Pumpkin - What Tools Do You Need

Free Pumpkin Stencils - Design Your Own Masterpiece

Oct 11, 2009 Barbara Trejo

Pumpkin carving is fun and easy with these simple steps. It is a craft the whole family can enjoy, especially the children. A day to be enjoyed by all.

With these easy to use stencils, anyone can be an artist. Follow these simple steps, from choosing the pumpkin to the right tools that are needed. Learn the difference between a traditional carving and a drill carving by the professionals. Enjoy Halloween the way it was meant to be enjoyed, with children laughing and playing.

How to Choose a Pumpkin

Decide where the pumpkin is to be. Smaller pumpkins for the mantle or stairway. Larger pumpkins for the yard and by the door.

• Choose a pumpkin with no nicks or dents and no bruising.
• Look for a pumpkin with a bright shiny skin and a stem.
• For a a traditional knife cut design, choose a tall pumpkin. For one with a stencil, choose a pumpkin that will fit the design. Take the template to measure the right size of pumpkin.

How to Carve a Pumpkin the Traditional Way

1. According to Pumpkin Carving 101, carving a pumpkin is very easy with step by step pictures of the whole procedure. The traditional way to carve a pumpkin is with a few simple knives and tools. The pumpkin is placed on some newspapers and then with a knife, the top is cut into and the gut of the pumpkin is cleaned out.
2. Save the seeds to be used later. They can be cleaned and dried in the oven with some paprika. Pumpkin seeds are a great way to get rid of intestinal worms. (1)
3. After the pumpkin is clean, take a pencil and draw an outline of the design you desire. Using a knife, cut along the pencil design. After the design is complete. Place a candle inside the bottom of the pumpkin.
4. To make sure the candle does not tip over, drop some candle wax in the bottom of the pumpkin first and then place the candle and secure it in place.

How to Carve a Pumpkin Easily with a Drill

According to Martha Stewart, who is a professional on crafts, she uses a Bosch Drill. Here are her simple instructions.

1. Use a craft saw and cut the bottom of your pumpkin out. Scrape out all the seeds and pulp. Use a metal spoon or ice cream scoop to clean the pumpkin.
2. With a pencil, make a light outline of the design you wish to make before beginning.
3. To make the eyes, use a drill that has a spade bit (1/2-34 inch). To make the mouth use a pointed utility saw or craft saw. Many templates available for download below.
4. Place vaseline on the open edges of the pumpkin to keep it from drying out.

Jack-o-lantern Templates

Martha Stewart has twenty-five templates for a variety of designs. Download anything from the word BOO to a farm yard. Templates for many jack-o-lantern designs from Martha Stewart.

Resources

• University of Maryland Medical Center
• Pumpkin carving 101
• Martha Stewart
• Better Homes and Gardens

The copyright of the article How to Carve a Pumpkin - What Tools Do You Need in Entertaining is owned by Barbara Trejo. Permission to republish How to Carve a Pumpkin - What Tools Do You Need in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Jack-O-Lantern	Start with a clean pumpkin	Clean the pumkin of all seeds
Use a knife to cut with	Place a candle inside of pumpkin