Secret Tips to Pumpkin-Carving Perfection

Fall is the season for pumpkins. This Halloween create the perfect pumpkin using the fool-proof carving secrets of experts. Whether you're a beginner or experienced these helpful instructions will improve any pumpkin design.

Once you've selected your pumpkin. Decide what exactly you want to do with it. Many novice carvers simply grab a knife and start carving without having a specific design in mind. It's important to know what you want your end result to look like. Are you creating a friendly face or a spooky pumpkin for Halloween? Flip through magazines and search online for different images to mimic. If you have your own concept take the additional time to draw it out first before you start.

Examine your designs and adjust them to fit your pumpkin. You can fasten the pattern using tape or even straight pins. Remember, when you use pins set them on the design lines to keep from damaging your pumpkin with uneccassary marks. A great method to sketch your design properly is with the use of a poker tool. Try not to push all the way through the wall of the pumpkin as you define the layout. If you have an artificial pumkin you can use a pencil to mark your pattern.

Set the pumpkin close to you in your lap where you can easily access it from any angle. Take a crafts knife to start cutting along the design lines. When you have small complex lines use a more refined tool. Clutch the blade just as you would a pencil. Slice with constant motion. Try to keep the blade in an upright position equal with the pumpkin. Do not push heavily on the knife this will avoid breakage. Always work from the center of your drawing progressing outward. Use a "stop and start" technique to manuever your blade to create corners. This method prevents common mistakes most novice carves manufacture by twisting the blade. Take your fingers and slowly slide the sections out of your pumpkin.

When attempting a more complex unique design using hue and light its possible to take out the pumpkin's skin after making your openings. Handy tools to assist you in this process include craft knives, pottery tools, and grapefruit spoons. Light your candle when carving is completed. To prevent your lighted pumpkin from shrinkage cover chisel edges with vasoline or some form of petroleum jelly. If for some reason you do have a shrivel up pumpkin simply soak in water for two to seven hours then meticulously dry. You will have the perfect carved pumpkin this season if you follow these great tips.