Pumpkin Carving Tips, Tricks and How To from the Masters at Pumpkin Masters

Directions

1. Pick a pumpkin that is fresh and firm, and has a flat bottom so it sits steadily.
2. Create an opening at either the top or bottom of the pumpkin that is big enough to fit your hand through.
3. Use a strong spoon to remove all the seeds and the stringy pulp from the inside.
4. Thin the pumpkin wall in the area you intend to carve by scraping the inner surface—this makes cutting easier.
5. Either tape a pattern onto the pumpkin or draw your design directly using a marker.
6. Follow the marked lines with a small serrated knife or a specialized pumpkin saw to cut through the shell.
7. Remove the cut sections by pushing them out from the interior or by tapping them carefully from the outside.
8. Place a tea light or an LED candle inside the pumpkin, then put the lid or bottom piece back in position.
9. Extend the life of your carved creation by rubbing petroleum jelly over the cut edges.