There are many things to love about the month of October. The pumpkin-spice lattes, the fact that we get to wear vests again, Instagramming fall leaves, and Halloween. As we grow old and enter college, certain Halloween traditions no doubt fade away, but one that we never get tired of is carving pumpkins. The art of carving pumpkins is a form of self-expression and savvy porch decor. If your carving technique is a little sloppy and you find yourself having to explain what exactly your pumpkin is, as Karen would explain her costume, “I’m a mouse, duh,” THIS is the year to step up your game.
Let’s start with how to select the perfect pumpkin.
When you visit the local farm (or grocery store) to pick up your pumpkin, you may find yourself wondering, “What constitutes the perfect pumpkin?” Luckily, some pumpkin experts have developed a list of several signs to look for when you can’t seem to decide which one to buy.
- Size DOES matter. A pumpkin that is between 15 and 18 pounds is ideal for carving. Any smaller than this and the carving will be a lot more difficult.
- Weight also matters. The pumpkin should feel heavier than it looks when you pick it up. If it feels light, that most likely means that it is rotted on the inside (yuck).
- The more orange the better! Green spots means a pumpkin will bruise and rot easily, ruining your hard worked- design.
- Make sure to pick up the pumpkin by its stem to make sure it does not break off. If it stays intact and the stem is sturdy, you’ve got a healthy pumpkin in your hands.
Now that you’ve picked the ideal pumpkin, it’s time to bring it home and really get to work. When you were younger, your mom most likely did all the dirty work for you in terms of prep work. However, now that you’re on your own here’s a quick guide as to how to successful prep your pumpkin for carving:
- Steadily and carefully cut a hole in the top. A hexagonal shape is ideal and should be large enough for your hand to be able to fully reach inside the pumpkin.
- Scoop out all of the seeds using a large spoon, scraper, or ice-cream scoop.
- Scrape all of the inner pulp off of the sides of the pumpkin so you are left with a smooth inside surface all around.
Now that your pumpkin is all prepped for carving, it’s time to actually transfer your idea onto the pumpkin itself!
- Trace your design lightly onto the surface of the pumpkin. Use a push pin, sharp awl, or needle tool to do so.
- Begin carving with a miniature saw or linoleum carving tool. While doing this, it is best to keep the pumpkin cradled in your lap, keeping your carving device at a 90 degree angle to prevent any injuries.
- Once your design is complete, place a candle inside your pumpkin and put your masterpiece in a place where it will be prominently displayed!
Fun tip- Using an electric candle or light instead of a real one will allow your pumpkin carving to last longer; real candles usually make it rot more quickly!
While everyone loves the traditional jack-o-lantern, there is no need to feel you can’t carve outside the lines and create a unique design of your very own. Mix it up and remember you can always carve words, Greek letters, animals, a graphic design…anything goes! Additionally, you can always paint on details, add pom-poms or glitter, or anything else you think will make your pumpkin pop when lined up against all the others.
Happy Halloween and happy carving!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsandliving/weekend/features/2007/pumpkin-carving-101/http://www.marthastewart.com/275075/how-to-carve-a-pumpkin/@center/1006802/halloween-pumpkins#170780