The Simplest, 5-Step Guide to Carving a Pretty Pumpkin

Follow these easy steps to carve a beautiful pumpkin for Halloween!

Easy

Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at hgtv.com.

Creating a stunning jack-o'-lantern starts with cleaning your pumpkin and cutting a zigzag lid. Then, scoop out the insides, saving the seeds for roasting. Finally, you're ready to carve your design with precision.

Directions

Start by cleaning the pumpkin's exterior with a damp paper towel to remove any dirt and debris.

With a chef's knife, cut a zigzagged circle around the stem, angling the blade slightly inward. After removing the lid, place it on a cutting board and trim off any excess pulp from its bottom to ensure it fits neatly.

Use a large spoon, ice cream scoop, or fleshing loop tool to remove all the seeds and stringy pulp. Smooth the inside walls, thinning them to about one inch thick where you plan to carve the face. Put the seeds into a separate bowl.