How to Carve a Pumpkin

How to Carve to Pumpkin

By: Jennifer Potts, Natasha Lindquist, Megan Birkholz, Karli Mueller

          The season of caramel apples, corn mazes, haunted houses, and pumpkin carving has arrived.  Carving your own pumpkin allows you to show off your creative side. Some people carve pumpkins professionally, but most just do it to have fun. This can be an enjoyable, family activity for all ages; however, without the appropriate knowledge this can be a messy project. Carving a pumpkin can be made easy if you follow these simple steps and have the proper tools.

Now before getting started you will need to gather some tools to use:

·         Paper sac

·         Tape

·         Large spoon

·         Marker

·         Different sized knives

The first step to successfully and safely carving a pumpkin is the cover the entire surface that you will be carving on, such as a table. It is important to do this before you begin carving your pumpkin because it will keep the table from getting full of sticky pumpkin guts. You can use basically anything with a paper base to cover the table: newspaper, paper bag, cardboard, etc. If desired, you may use tape to tape the paper to the table. This will prevent the paper from sliding around.

The next step in this process is to put the pumpkin on top of the paper. You will want to make sure to set the pumpkin directly in the middle of the paper. This will help keep a large mess from getting onto the table.

          The third step is to use your large knife to cut a circle on top of the pumpkin. You will need to be very careful and in some cases may need to refer to an adult because the pumpkin may be thick and hard to cut through. The proper way to cut the top of the pumpkin out is to carve on a slight angle. This will ensure that the pumpkin’s lid does not slide into the pumpkin after you have carved it.

   

After cutting out the top of your pumpkin, the next step is to remove all the guts. First get as much of the insides out with your hands, once this is done take a large spoon and scrape of any remaining guts stuck to the sides of your pumpkin. If you wish to keep our pumpkin seeds simply separate them from the guts.

     

Next, grab a marker and draw the design you wish to carve. It's always easier to do this on paper first just to make sure you are happy with it. Have fun and experiment with different shapes and ideas.

Once you have a design you like, transfer it on to the surface of your pumpkin. You can do this by either redrawing your design with your marker or by taping your original drawing to the pumpkins surface. Also if you don’t know what to do with your pumpkin there are plenty of resources online for ideas and printable templates to use.

While working with your pumpkin you have to be very careful, especially when you are cutting the design into your pumpkin. For best results, cut at an angle and as little as possible. To perfect your pumpkin, you can do back and cut more or with different sized knives and specialty carving utensils made especially for pumpkins.

After you cut out your complete design, there may be left over guts inside to scrape out. Carefully gather them all and put them with the rest of the guts. Most people through the guts out then, but if you want to get creative, they could be used in another project.

          After getting completely finished with your carving move your pupmkin off the paper sac. Then roll up the paper sac and throw it away.

Once you have finished your masterpiece, you can set it outside for all to see. If you want, you can also put a small candle on the bottom of the pumpkin for some extra pizazz. Make sure to set it on a flat surface so it doesn’t fall over.Your completed pumpkin will serve as a nice decoration outside for the Halloween and Thanksgiving season. This experience was hopefully a joyful one that may possibly become an annual tradition with your family, friends, or children.