A QUICK GUIDE TO CARVING
AND DESIGNING THE
PERFECT JACK O’LANTERN
BY DINAH WOLFE
Pumpkins are everywhere this time of year. We carve them, eat them and wear them as cos-
tumes. We line our mantels with them, turn them into table centerpieces, and bake cookies,
cakes and pies with them. For many, pumpkins symbolize family and tradition during this time of
year. As Jack O’Lanterns pop up in store windows and on the front steps of every home, make
sure your family’s carved pumpkins are looking their absolute best with this helpful guide below.

PUMPKIN CARVING 101
Why do we go crazy over this iconic fruit,
and where does the pumpkin-carving
tradition come from? Jack O’Lanterns
were originally carved out of turnips and
potatoes. While Jack O’Lanterns’ location
of origin is uncertain, pumpkins are native
to North America, and carving and lighting
them gained popularity after Irish and
Scottish immigrants arrived in the U.S. in
the mid-1800s. Pumpkins are harvested
in October, just in time for Halloween and
Thanksgiving. It was once a common belief
that carving scary and grotesque faces
in pumpkins and placing them in front of
your home would ward off evil spirits (or
pranksters) on Halloween.

While pumpkin carving is nothing new,
how often have you or your kids attempted
to create a pumpkin masterpiece to have it
end up falling short? Or, maybe you’ve had
trouble getting a carved pumpkin to last
more than a day or two?
Keep reading for some basic but
essential pumpkin carving tips and tricks.

Perfect for both beginners and more
experienced carvers, these tips will surely
boost your Jack O’Lantern-making skills
this season.

16 Washington FAMILY OCTOBER 2019
Choose the right pumpkin. A large
pumpkin with a sturdy stem and a flat
base is ideal. Large pumpkins are easier
to handle and carve, and a sturdy stem is
a sign of a healthy pumpkin that will last
longer. Be sure to examine your pumpkin
from top to bottom, and avoid ones with
soft spots and bruises.

Use the right tools. These days, many
great tools for both kids and adults are
available in retail stores. A boning knife
or serrated knife works well for carving,
an ice cream scoop works well for remov-
ing the pumpkin seeds, and a scraper
cleans the inside walls nicely. For kids,
you may want to purchase a carving tool
set specially designed for them.

Cut the lid. First, create a lid by cutting
at a 45-degree angle so it does not fall
into the pumpkin when you place it back
on top. You can cut the lid in a zig-zag
shape, or another option is to cut off the
back or bottom. The choice is based on
what you want and the look you want to
achieve for your pumpkin.

Scoop the goop. Remove all the seeds
and pulp with an ice cream scooper.

Place them aside and roast them later
for a healthy snack! Once the seeds
are removed, scrape the walls with
a scraper. If you carve a pattern in
the front, try to scrape the back of
the pumpkin as smoothly as possible
because it will be visible through your
carved design and will reflect the light.

Draw and carve. Draw the face or
trace a template for your desired
design. Your design can be scary, gro-
tesque or funny. Consider using a dry
erase marker so you can easily wipe off
mistakes. If you are a beginner, start
with a simple design. Use a small paring
knife or Exacto knife for more detailed
designs. Make slow, gentle cuts that go
straight up and down, not at an angle.

More experienced carvers may use
drills and electric carving knives.