![]() The pattern sheet will probably be folded like crazy now. The paper should now be taped down in four places, one on each side. On the sides that aren't taped, grab the pattern sheet where the pattern lines come closest to the edge of the paper. Now, take the pumpkin and hold it in your lap, because this part is fiddly. Take two pieces of tape and stick either the top and bottom or both sides of the pattern onto the pumpkin. Set your pumpkin on a flat surface, and hold the pattern up to it so that it is aligned how you want it (usually perfectly vertical). Now, go wash your hands (and the pumpkin if it's covered in guts!) - we're ready for the next step! Step 5: Transfer the Patternįor this step you'll need the masking tape and the push pin/poking tool. When you push the carving saw through to the handle, about 1/2" should be visible on the inside. If the walls of your pumpkin are very thick, you'll need to thin them out with the scraper until the side that will be carved is about 3/4" thick. Try scraping around the circumference of the pumpkin rather than bottom-to-top, it will work better. Once you have the majority of the pumpkin guts removed, you can scrape the inside walls with a spoon or scraper until they're clean. Scoop it out with your hand into a bowl, separate out the seeds (if you're keeping them) and then toss the remaining gunk into the compost pile or garbage. Mix it around and loosen as much of it as you can. Then, go in with a spoon or pumpkin scoop and go to town on that stuff. I usually start by reaching in and trying to break off as many sinews and tendrils as I can. Now you're ready to hollow out the pumpkin. Then, with the same knife as before, cut off the guts until you have a nice, clean surface. Pick off the seeds (if you're keeping them) and put them in a bowl. The lids will come loose with a bunch of pumpkin guts attached. Or, cut a "finger hole" in the lid so you can pull it out. If the stem is too short to hold, slide a knife under the lid and pry it loose. Sometimes some gentle twisting may be required. When the lid has been cut, it should come loose with a tug on the stem. You may also want to include a notch in the lid to make aligning it easier later on. Make sure you angle the knife towards the center of the pumpkin, so the lid won't fall in when it has been cut loose. Using a kitchen paring knife or a large pumpkin carving saw, cut the top off the pumpkin. Lastly, if you have a particular pattern in mind that you'd like to carve, make sure you choose a pumpkin that is the right size for it! Some patterns are tall and others are wide, so pick a pumpkin that matches. A lot of spots will make the transferred pattern difficult to see. A few spots of brown here and there are fine, but will make your pumpkin harder to carve. If possible, avoid pumpkins with severe blemishes on the surface. Rap on the outside with your knuckles, it should make a nice hollow sound. A soft pumpkin is a rotting pumpkin and you'll never get good results from it. The pumpkin should never, ever, ever be soft. Deep trenches will not do! A flat pumpkin is a hundred times easier to transfer a pattern to, and follow the pattern while carving. Second, look for a pumpkin that has as smooth a surface as possible. Older pumpkins will still work, but sometimes they hold nasty surprises. Avoid pumpkins with bits of white mold around the edge of the stem. If you go to a store, look for green, wet stems and not brown, dry ones. It is very important, both for good results and for keeping your blood pressure down, to pick good carving pumpkins.įor starters, find pumpkins that are as fresh as possible. ![]()
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