How to carve the perfect pumpkin!

Having trouble getting your pumpkin to look the way you want it? Follow our quick and easy step-by-step guide on how to carve the perfect pumpkin and you should have a Halloween masterpiece in no time!

Step 1.

Good carving starts with picking the right pumpkin. Choose one that’s fresh with a sturdy stem and a nice flat bottom, so that it won’t roll while carving your masterpiece.

Step 2.

For the next step try cutting from the bottom, instead of the top – cutting your lid from the bottom of the pumpkin will help prevent the sides from caving in later. If you do choose to carve the lid out of the top of your pumpkin do it on an angle.

Step 3.

Scoop out the pulp using a special claw or even just an ice cream scoop (and save the seeds – they are yummy roasted!) Thin the inner wall of the “face” area to about 1¼-inch thick. This will make it easier for you to pierce the shell.

Step 4.

Sketch out your design on paper first and use it as a template. Tape it to your pumpkin and use a fork or pencil to poke holes along the lines that you want to carve.

Step 5.

Make sure your cuts are clean-up-and-down slices and not slanted. Try holding the pumpkin on your lap as it’s easier to create the features when your pumpkin is gazing back up at you!

Step 6.

Make simple rough cuts. If you get the big pieces of pumpkin out of the way first, you can then go back and clean up the edges of your design later.

Step 7.

Use your scraps creatively to add any extra features such as a pipe or hair accessory.

Step 8.

Once you’re happy with your design it’s time to put the light into your creation. To create a chimney, first leave the lid / crown on for a few minutes while the candle burns. Then make a small hole where the lid has blackened. Alternatively, you could opt for a battery-operated light source instead.

Step 9.

It’s time to put the pumpkin out on display show it off. You’ve gone to all the hard work of making a masterpiece, don’t leave it in your dining room, hang it out for the world to admire and don’t forget to share it with us here at Lets Connect!

Win an Apple Watch in our Halloween Prize Draw!

Head on over to the Let’s Connect Facebook page and find out Halloween Prize Draw post pinned to the top of our page. Like the post and leave a photo of your Halloween pumpkin in the comments. You have until Friday 2nd November to enter and one lucky winner, chosen at random will win an Apple Watch Series 3 38mm.

Happy Halloween!