Pumpkin Carving Pointers and Patterns

Step 1: First, pick out a fresh pumpkin for carving. Give it a knock and listen for a hollow sound to make sure it’s not rotten on the inside, and check the stem for browning or dryness. Next gather your tools. We recommend the following: T pins, a small-serrated knife, serrated carving tool, tape, scissors, and an ice cream scoop. And most importantly, don’t forget to print out a PaulaDeen.com exclusive pumpkin-carving template!

Step 2: Use the serrated knife held at a slight angle to carefully cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin.

Step 3: Use the ice cream scoop to remove the seeds and pulp from the pumpkin. Don’t let those seeds go to waste though! Rinse them off to prep for this delicious recipe.

Step 4: Print and cut out the pumpkin-carving template, and tape it to the front of your pumpkin. Use the T pin to trace the design by poking holes into the flesh of the pumpkin.

Step 5: Remove the paper, and use a small, serrated carving tool to carve out the design.

Step 6: Boo, Y’all!

**If you don’t have all these materials at home, you can buy inexpensive carving kits at almost any craft store or pharmacy.

Click the image below to download your pumpkin pattern!