Halloween is the favorite time of the year for kids and families. You have to get down and dirty with pumpkin carving, but a perfectly carved one is a worthy prize for all the effort you invest. However, designing one that gets all the attention for your home is easier said than done. Pumpkin carving is an art that you can master only with a lot of practice. Some helpful tips from experts can also inspire you to learn the skill quickly.
Here are some pieces of advice you can follow to carve the perfect pumpkin this Halloween:
Stop Worrying About the Shape
Finding the roundest and smoothest pumpkin is the hardest part of the project because these are rare. The best advice is to stop worrying about the shape because visually interesting ones make great pieces of art. But it is vital to opt for a fresh piece with a strong, sturdy stem. It should also be solid to the touch as it will make the pumpkin easier to carve and the pumpkin will have a longer life.
Open From the Bottom
Before carving, you need to clean the exterior of the piece and cut it open. Experts recommend that you must always cut your pumpkin from the bottom, not from the top around the stem. Cutting lower down lets you eliminate a lot of seeds without extra work. You will be able to complete the project faster as half the cleaning job gets done while cutting.
Invest in the Right Tools
Pumpkin carving is a recurring project that you handle every Halloween, so investing in the right tools is a good idea. Fortunately, Halloween tools do not cost a fortune but make the task much easier than you can imagine. A glove scraper has you covered for most of the job as it helps you skip the mess.
You can use some regular kitchen tools such as lemon zesters, scrubber sponges, and melon ballers for extra help.
Trace the Design
It gets much easier to carve a perfect pumpkin if you have a base design to work on. Tracing the design on the gourd is a good way to start. Clean the surface and replicate a design on it using a sewing transfer paper and a ballpoint pen.
Once you have a clear pattern, you can go ahead with carving without delay and hard work, no matter how complex the design seems.
Be Patient While You Carve
If you are serious about carving a perfect pumpkin, patience is the best approach. You will probably want the Halloween tradition to come to life quickly, but going too fast can waste all the hard work.
Avoid pulling the pieces out as you carve, but leave the pumpkin intact to keep it stable. Wait till you complete the job and gently remove the pieces from the inside out. If something is stuck, use a tool to dislodge it gently.
Pick a design according to your skill and experience, and avoid the temptation to try something too complex. Learn as you go, and you will definitely ace the craft sooner than you think.
*Photos by Karolina Grabowska
