How to articles
How to carve a pumpkin
If you want to make an impact this Halloween, impress your neighbours with a hand crafted pumpkin to sit in your window! Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Choose a large pumpkin – it’s easier to carve.
- Begin by cutting a hole in the crown of the pumpkin, carefully using a serrated knife. Place the knife at a 45 degree angle so that the lid will rest nicely when you replace it. (If you cut straight down, the lid will fall through).
- Using a large spoon, remove the seeds and fibres, and also some of the flesh of the pumpkin. (You can save the seeds too, as toasted pumpkin seeds are healthy and delicious!) The wall should be scraped as smoothly as possible.
- Now it’s time to get creative….. practice drawing your pumpkin face on a piece of plain paper, and once you’re happy with your design, stick the paper template onto the side of the pumpkin.
- Trace your design by going round the edges of the features with a needle or pin, and poking little holes into the pumpkin, so you can see where to carve. (Or, if you have a steady hand, you can draw your face on the pumpkin with a marker pen.)
- Remove the paper template and carefully carve out the features, following your pin hole or marker pen design. Always face the knife away from you, in case your hand slips.
- To illuminate your pumpkin, battery operated tea lights are a safer alternative to candles. Another idea is to use string lights, wrapped around a glass jar. You can carve a little hole in the bottom of the pumpkin to allow room for the wire. Just remember to always switch off and unplug the lights if you’re leaving the house or going to bed. If you want to use real candles, try placing a tea light in a glass holder and place inside the pumpkin before lighting. Remove the pumpkin lid and never leave the candle unattended.
- Wait for the trick or treaters…..
