How to Carve a Pumpkin Using a Pattern

Halloween is fast approaching and one of the funnest activities to do with your kids is pumpkin carving. You can go and pick your own pumpkin directly from a pumpkin patch, and then bring it home and make an afternoon of it. If you don't have a pumpkin patch close-by where you live, then go to a supermarket or farmer's market to pick one. The pumpkin you choose to carve really depends on your personal preference. It also may depend on the pattern or design you have picked (if you have one picked already).

If you're like me, I cannot carve a pumpkin freehand, that is, anything I would want to display. But no worries - that's why they invented pumpkin carving patterns and stencils.

You will need some basic tools before you begin:

• Pumpkin Carving Tool (Carving Saw)
• Transfer Tool
• Small Knife
• Tape
• Felt Marker
• Patience

Once you have decided on a pattern, and you have picked out your pumpkin, you're ready to begin.

• Using the felt marker, draw a circle around the top of the pumpkin that will be large enough to allow your hand in.
• Poke a hole in the top along the circle, and then continue to saw off the top circle of the pumpkin.
• Clean the guts out of the pumpkin, and put them in a bowl.
• Decide on which side you would like to use, and then center the pattern on, using the tape to secure the edges.
• With the transfer tool. Go over the lines on the pattern, being careful to poke through the stencil and the outer layer of pumpkin skin. Take your time, when doing the transfer. The more accurately you are able to transfer the image, the better the final product will turn out.
• Once you have the pattern transferred completely onto the pumpkin, you can remove the stencil. One tip I read is to dust the pumpkin with flour over the pattern. This will make the pattern stand out better.
• Using the carving tool, start to cut out your design. The carving tool is a saw and not a knife. You need to use a sawing motion (back and forth), do not try and slice it as you would with a knife. Start at the middle of the design, and work your way to the outer edges.
• Push the cut-out pieces through from the inside outward.

After all the pieces are removed, you can touch up any jagged edges using the small knife. Presto - you're done! Ready to light up the night for all the little trick or theaters.