Nothing says Halloween quite like the glow from an expertly carved, candle-lit Jack-O'-Lantern sitting on a front porch or in the window. According to legend, people have been carving these spooky symbols for hundreds of years. Although Europeans originally used gourds, the good old American pumpkin is now the only way to go when you're making a Halloween carving. By keeping a few tips and tricks in mind, you can quickly and easily carve a pumpkin that you'll be proud to display in or outside your home.
Paul Wigsten has been carving pumpkins ever since he was a young boy and has become quite an expert. The owner of upstate New York's Wigsten Farms, family owned and operated for three generations, Paul takes great pride in his family's pumpkin patch and annual pumpkin carving contest. Here he offers tips for creating and preserving a great Halloween Jack-O'-Lantern:
- The right pumpkin.
The first step when carving a pumpkin is to find the right pumpkin. Wigsten enjoys scouting around in the field, searching for something that is the right size and shape for his imagined design. Check for soft spots, dents or scars, as these can mar the look of your finished piece.
- Hole in bottom.
Many people start their carvings by cutting a hole in the top of the pumpkin, but Wigsten recommends cutting a hole in the bottom instead. He claims that it's easier to lower a Jack-O'-Lantern over a lit candle than it is to place a candle inside from the top.
- Patterns.
If you don't happen to be a fine artist, you don't have to worry about designing your pumpkin's face. There are many patterns available in stores that you can just place against your pumpkin and trace. They come in a wide variety of designs, including many fancy ones, and Wigsten has found that they work very well.
- Felt pen.
Whether you're drawing freehand or using a pattern or stencil, use a felt tip pen to trace your design on the pumpkin. The soft tip won't leave an indentation and any excess ink should wash right off.
- The right knife.
Just about any good sharp knife will work for the carving, but Wigsten recommends one that has a flexible blade. This will let you work around the pumpkin's curves more easily.
- Safety first.
Remember that you should never let kids use knives unsupervised. Many stores sell special plastic safety cutters designed especially for pumpkin carving — a good idea for children too young to handle real knives. Also, if you are wary about using lit candles to illuminate your pumpkins, you can use special electric lamps, which are also available at many stores in October.
- Preserving your pumpkin.
Once you've finished your masterpiece, you'll want to make sure it lasts through the Halloween season. Wigsten uses a 5 percent chlorine solution in a spray bottle, spraying around the inside of the pumpkin and anywhere there's a cut to keep the pumpkin fresh.
For more information about pumpkin carving, check out the following organizations or websites:
Pumpkin Carving 101
www.pumpkin-carving.com
Pumpkin Masters
www.pumpkinmasters.com
The Pumpkin Wizard
www.carvingpumpkins.com
Pumpkin Nook: Pumpkin Carving
www.pumpkinnook.com
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