The Hobgoblin's Top 10 Tips for Pumpkin Carving

Remember this year's theme is 'Goblins'. See the competition details here.

2006 winner Andrew Lowe is pictured to the right with his winning pumpkin - great job Andrew!

One of the most recognizable symbols of Halloween is a carved pumpkin or “Jack-o-lantern”. Traditionally, on the ancient festival “Samhain” the Celtic New Year, glowing lanterns, carved from turnips or gourds, were set on porches and in windows to welcome deceased loved ones, and to act as protection against malevolent spirits.

When European settlers went over to America they found the native pumpkin to be larger, easier to carve and seemed the perfect choice for jack-o-lanterns, hence the tradition of carving Pumpkins, and why we associate this with the US.

1) Pick the size of your Pumpkin according to what you want to carve

• Medium-sized Pumpkins - work best for most stencils designs
• Very large Pumpkins - for intricate designs, & as a "center piece" on a doorstep or table
• Small Pumpkins - may be scattered about for parties, or set in a row on a path/ driveway
• Taller/Narrower Pumpkins look very different in character to Rounder/Squatter Pumpkins, so choose the “personality” you want
• If using a stencil design, select a pumpkin that is close to the shape of the stencil pattern.

2) Select pumpkins that are uniformly orange and ripe and have no bruises or faults.

3) Use the right “Carving Tools”

• Use ordinary kitchen knives, or buy specialist pumpkin carving kits and carving tools.
• A Boning Knife – is best to cut the top hole & large pieces from the face of the pumpkin.
• A Paring Knife - can be used for detail work.

Pumpkin Carving Kits – from Tesco & Sainsburys stores for less than a fiver, include;

• Cutting Saw - for carving fine, detailed areas, this can be used for the entire Pumpkin.
• Poker Tool: Used to transfer a stencil designs onto a pumpkin. A nail could be used, or an artist's Stylus tool (found at most Art & Craft shops).
• Gutting Spoons: An “Americanism”! A strong “scoop” for removing the seeds, pulp and skin from the inside of the pumpkin. An ice-cream scoop is perfect!

4) Use the correct lighting to best “display” your Pumpkin

• “Tea-lights” - are ideal, and several can be placed in 1 pumpkin to give more light.
• Plain white candles - give off the most light.
• Never leave a lit candle unsupervised, or children unattended with a lit pumpkin or candles.

5) To cut a round circle out of the top of your Pumpkin cutting a five or six sided opening will work the best.

As you cut out the top hole, angle the knife so that the lid and hole will be somewhat cone shaped. This will help prevent the lid from falling into the hole.

6) Pre-mark your design on to your pumpkin by using a Crayon, or use the stencil as a template and use a nail to punch through to mark the design.

7) Make sure that you have scraped the bottom of the pumpkin flat, so that the candle will sit level in the pumpkin.

8) For novices and if you want to create really detailed carvings then it is recommended to use a stencil for your carving pattern.

Once you’ve completed your design, carve the excess pumpkin off at about a 45 degree angle. This allows more light to come through, showing your design to its fullest.

9) To help preserve your pumpkin and stop it shrivelling and drying out, coat the edges with Vaseline.

The Vaseline acts as a barrier to seal in the pumpkin's internal moisture to help slow down the dehydration process. Use a paper towel with jelly on it to coat the inside. It's less messy that way. If you can't do the whole inside, at least try to coat the design that you've cut.

10) Should your pumpkin start to dry out and shrivel, you can often “bring it back to life” by simply soaking in water overnight.