If you just want to take a steak knife and hack out your every
day pumpkin face, then this article is not for you. We're going
to take a look at gourmet pumpkin carving for true Halloween
connoisseurs. OK, maybe gourmet is a bit of overkill, but why
settle for just another carved pumpkin when you can have a
prize-winning jack-o-lantern instead?
Success starts with selecting your design
Before even thinking about buying or picking your Halloween
pumpkin from the local pumpkin patch, you need to plan the
design. You can take the easy way out and buy ready-made pumpkin
stencils, or you can design your own.
There are some great on-line sources for free Halloween stencils
that you can download and use, or you can hand sketch it. Here
are two great places to grab some nice designs. If you're
looking for a really unusual stencil, here's one that will drive
you bats!
I'll cover how to transfer the pumpkin stencil to your favorite
pumpkin after we take a look at actually selecting the pumpkin.
How to pick the perfect pumpkin
The pumpkin's shape and size will determine what type of
patterns and designs you can use. If you are using pumpkin
carving stencils then it is essential to purchase a pumpkin that
matches the stencil's size requirements.
If you don't plan on using a stencil then make sure that your
pumpkin is tall and wide enough for the free-hand design that
you have in mind.
Look for a pumpkin that's not too ripe. It should be the right
color orange and not have any soft spots or bruises. Look for a
sturdy stem and never, ever lift the pumpkin by the stem. Sturdy
or not, it's a short trip from "nice pumpkin" to splat.
Hold the pumpkin and smell it around the stem and top. If it
smells very strong and "pumpkiny" then there is a chance that
it's too ripe, pass it up and look for another. Thump the
pumpkin and listen for a solid "thunk". A hollow sound is bad
news.
Carry your pumpkin carefully and transport it home safely. A
bruised pumpkin rots quickly and might not make it through the
Halloween season.
How to prepare the pumpkin for its coming facelift
1. Cut a circle around the top of the pumpkin without damaging
the stem. 2. Remove the top and put aside. 3. Remove and discard
the pulp and seeds unless you want to make Vampire Fingernails
snacks for your Halloween party. 4. With a putty knife or
similar scraper, gently scrape down the inside of the pumpkin to
remove any moist flesh clinging to the sides. Be careful not to
damage the wall of the pumpkin.
Now it's time to transfer the stencil
1. Wipe the outside of the pumpkin so that it is free of dust
and other foreign material. If you need to wipe it down with a
wet rag, allow it to become thoroughly dry before proceeding to
the next step.
2. Tape the stencil to the side of the pumpkin that you have
chosen to be the face. Tape the top left corner first, then the
top right, bottom left and then bottom right. Smooth the stencil
out as you are taping it. If you have to crease the stencil to
make it lie flat then be sure to pick areas that are not part of
the design.
3. Using an ice pick or a pin-point punch awl, gently poke holes
through the stencil and into the pumpkin. Follow the lines of
the stencil carefully. It's a lot like paying connect-the-dots
games. Space the dots out however you see fit but remember that
very complex designs are easier to work with if the holes are
close together.
4. Check carefully to make sure that you have transferred the
entire pattern and then remove the stencil. Keep the stencil
handy to refer to in case you get confused while cutting.
Time to put your patient under the knife
Although many a pumpkin has fallen under the standard kitchen
knife, it's both the wrong tool and a very dangerous tool for
pumpkin carving. For best results get yourself an X-Acto knife
with a #5 knife blade and a #15 keyhole saw. See your home store
for both items.
Using the saw for long cuts and the X-Acto for the close-in and
intricate cuts, just follow the pattern carefully and, before
you know it, you'll have the pride of the pumpkin patch right
there on your table!
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