How to Carve a Pumpkin

To carve your Jack-O-Lantern you will need a large spoon, a small knife with fine teeth and a punch tool such as a nail or large pin. It is best to use a simple carving kit that can be purchased at almost any store during the Halloween season.

Cut an opening on top or bottom of the pumpkin to scoop out the seeds and the insides of the pumpkin. Angle the saw or knife towards the center of the pumpkin to create a ledge that supports the lid. Some people prefer to cut the bottom as it allows the pumpkin to sit up straight and makes the scooping easier. Make sure the hole is large enough to reach in.

Examine your pumpkin to determine the best place for carving. If you are using a template, then tape your paper template to the pumpkin where you want the face to be. You may cut or fold the edges of the paper to better fit the curvature of the pumpkin, however the paper will not fit perfectly snug on to the pumpkin.

Score the design onto the pumpkin by punching through the paper using your punch tool. Make pinpoint marks 1/8" apart along the design lines. Hold down the area you are working on to keep the pattern in place. Remove the paper when you are finished. It is sometimes hard to tell where the lines are, so keep the template as a reference.

Using your carving knife or saw, carefully cut out the design following the holes that were punched. Saw dot-to-dot using a gentle up and down motion. Easy does it. It is best to start with the smallest details in the center and work your way out. When you are finished cutting, simply push out the pieces to view the final results.

Place your candle or light in the pumpkin and display your pumpkin creation in a dark spot.

To:

Jesus Pumpkin Template
Divine Carvings - Christian carving kits
Pumpkin Letters
Halloween page.