How To Carve A Pumpkin

How To Instructions: How To Safely Carve A Pumpkin

Traditionally and historically, Jack O’ Lanterns had always been intended to frighten away evil ghosts and mean spirits. In contrast however, Jack O’ Lanterns had also served as invitations to little “trick or theaters” to stop by to receive their Hallowing treats. One might even think of Jack O’ Lanterns as welcoming committees to masked and costumed tikes who demand and expect their treats or else they threaten to trick.

You want to confirm to the Hallowing ritual of carving a pumpkin or two and you definitely do not relish the thought of being tricked by neighborhood imps because your front stoop was not guarded by a Jack O’ Lantern.
 
My elders have always told me that “preparation is half the battle” therefore I will pass this venerable wisdom onto you by suggesting the following preparations before actually plunging into your pumpkin carving project:

• Pumpkin or pumpkins
• Votive candles and votive candleholders
• Chef’s knives or carving pumpkin carving tool
• Large spoon or an scoop
• A nail or a pick
• Pumpkin carving pattern
• Cooking oil
• Felt-tip pen and pencil
• Old newspapers

Now instructions are call for and here they come, step by detailed and easy to follow step:

Step 1. Choose the pumpkin that you like best. Some people are more partial to the low and rounded pumpkins while others prefer the tall and oval ones. Either shape will work well but please note that large pumpkins are much easier to carve than small ones.

Step 2. Rinse away any dirt or debris off your pumpkin’s skin and dry thoroughly with a paper towel or a clean rag.

Step 3. Pumpkin carving projects can be messy. Therefore, create a working space by spreading old newspapers to protect the surrounding area and have plenty of cleaning rags and paper towels handy.

Step 4. Using the pencil or the felt-tip pen, draw an even circle or a hexagon at the stem end of your pumpkin. This will eventually create an opening that is large enough to comfortably fit your hand inside.

Step 5. Cut along the circle or hexagon line you have drawn with a sharp knife or a pumpkin carving tool. Tip: Using a back and forth sawing motion will make cutting through the pumpkin’s tough skin easier.

Step 6. You have just created a cap. Lift it off and clean away any seeds or pumpkin pulp that comes off with it. Set it aside for later use.

Step 7. Scrape out the seeds and the pumpkin pulp from the pumpkin’s interior with a large spoon or a scoop.

Step 8. Tape a pumpkin carving pattern onto the pumpkin’s outer skin and with the help of a nail or a pick; punch little holes along the pattern’s outline. Using the felt-tip pen you can also draw the design you intend to carve directly onto the pumpkin.

Step 9. If you used a pumpkin carving pattern and you are certain that you punched holes along all its lines, remove it off the pumpkin.

Step 10. With a sharp knife or a pumpkin carving tool and in back and forth motions, carefully saw out your design along the little holes you had punched when using the pumpkin carving pattern or along the lines of the design you drew directly onto the pumpkin’s skin and discard the pieces. Important reminder: keep children away from your tools’ sharp edges.

Step 10. To keep your Jack O’ Lantern looking much fresher for a longer time, coat the carved edges with cooking oil.

Step 11. Insert the candle into its holder, place the two inside your carved pumpkin and cover with the cap you carved out and set aside earlier.

Well done! You have just created a Jack O’ Lantern that will withstand the scrutiny of family, friends and neighbors.

Posted in Pumpkin Stencils