October marks the start of the annual jack-o-lantern carving as Halloween approaches. As people ready their decorations, online web searches peak for people looking for “how to carve a pumpkin”, “Free Pumpkin Carving Templates and Patterns”, and “Pumpkin Seed Recipes.”
As usual, the internet provides a vast array of free pumpkin carving templates, pumpkin carving tips, and even some good Halloween costume ideas. Most free online pumpkin carving templates are easy to use and result in great looking jack-o-lanterns.
In addition to the free patterns and templates for carving pumpkins found online, many stores this time of year carry a variety of pumpkin carving kits which include the templates plus some handy carving tools.
Most tools for pumpkin carving resemble small saw blades. However many tips for carving your pumpkin mention that good results can be obtained with a serrated steak knife.
Here are some basic steps and tips for carving your pumpkin, and using a pumpkin carving template or pattern as your guide.
Start by first cutting open the top of the pumpkin. Then use a large spoon, and then your bare hand to scoop out all of the insides. Save the pumpkin seeds.
Baked pumpkin seeds are an incredibly healthy, and tastey, snack. See out articles on “Pumpkin Seed Recipes” for more information on that.
Download some free pumpkin carving templates – and if needed scale the patterns to match your pumpkin. Cut out the parts of the paper template that you will cut out on the pumpkin, and then tape the template to your pumpkin. Trace around the template on the pumpkin with a thin marker, remove the pattern and begin carving with your knife.