Tips & Tricks

Carve like a Master

Our pattern-and-saw method takes the frustration out of carving. Most patterns go from prep to glowing in minutes not hours. Here's how.

What you'll need

Know your tools

The right tool makes all the difference

What you carve with matters more than how good you are. Each tool has a unique job.

Cuts the opening in the top or bottom of your pumpkin.

Clears seeds and strings and thins the inner wall.

For the big, simple, broad areas of a pattern.

For sharp angles, small curves and fine details.

Makes holes, transfers patterns and pushes out carved pieces.

Pick your pattern

Every kit includes new patterns each year, rated so you know what you're getting into.

One dark pumpkin is the easiest. Four is the most challenging and takes the longest. New to carving? Start at one or two.

Step by step

1
Open it from the bottom.
Carve an opening from the bottom of your pumpkin.
2
Clean and scrape.
Clean out the seeds and strings. Scrape the area you're about to carve until the wall feels about an inch thick.
3
Pick a pattern and tape over it.
Pick your favorite pattern and cover the cut lines with transparent tape. This will waterproof and reinforce it, so you can carve right through it.
4
Apply the pattern.
Make folds on the edges to make it fit around the pumpkin, and tape it in place.
5
Carve in order.
Carve out the pieces, in the order shown on the pattern. Saw at a 90° angle to the pumpkin, with a gentle up-and-down motion.
6
Keep going. Outer edges last.
When you've mastered it, you'll feel very little resistance. Carve the outermost edges last.
7
Peel and reveal.
Peel off the pattern to reveal your carving.