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Pumpkin Carving

stencils and tricks for the perfect jack-o-lantern

Easy

Easy

Medium

Medium

Hard

Hard

Medium

Medium

Carving Technique Tips

Cut the bottom of the pumpkin instead of the top. It sits back on the base more easily and you can lower it over a candle.
Use a dry-erase marker to sketch your design before cutting. Mistakes wipe right off.
Thin the inner wall to about one inch in the area where you plan to carve. The thinner it is, the cleaner your cuts will be.
Serrated knives and small saws work far better than smooth kitchen knives. A cheap keyhole saw from the hardware store does wonders.
Start with the smallest and most detailed cuts first. Save the big pieces for last so the pumpkin stays sturdy while you work.
Coat all cut edges with petroleum jelly to slow down drying and keep your design looking fresh for several extra days.
For a glowing effect without fire risk, use a battery-powered LED tea light. Flickering ones look closest to a real candle.
Tape your stencil to the pumpkin and poke holes along the lines with a pushpin. Remove the paper and connect the dots with your blade.

Look for a pumpkin with a flat, stable bottom. Nobody wants a rolling jack-o-lantern.
Press the rind with your thumb. If it gives, the pumpkin is too soft and will rot fast.
Taller pumpkins work better for faces. Wider ones are good for horizontal scenes like a haunted house.
Check the stem. A green, sturdy stem means the pumpkin was picked recently and will last longer on your porch.

Soak your carved pumpkin in a bucket of cold water with two tablespoons of bleach for a couple hours. This kills mold spores.
Spray the inside and all cut surfaces with a mix of water and a few drops of peppermint oil. Squirrels hate the smell.
Keep your pumpkin out of direct sunlight during the day. Heat speeds up the rotting process.
On warm days, bring it inside and store it in the fridge if you have room. Cold slows decay dramatically.