Q&A for How to Carve a Pumpkin

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Is there a specific knife you can use to make your carvings have more bends and curves in the design?

wikiHow Staff Editor
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wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

A small paring knife or a craft knife may make it easier to work on small, intricate details.

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Question

What is the best knife to use?

Community Answer

You can use a pumpkin carving kit or a small, serrated kitchen knife.

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Question

Can I cut a pumpkin without a serrated knife?

Community Answer

Yes, a serrated knife simply makes the task easier.

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Question

Is anything inside the pumpkin edible?

Community Answer

Yes, everything inside is edible, and you can cook a nice stew or soup with it.

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Question

Can I use a knife if I don't have a kit?

Community Answer

Yes. Use a serrated knife, if possible, and cut using a sawing motion. Ensure that the blade is strong enough that it won't bend while carving.

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Question

Will it turn out bad if I paint my pumpkin or put embellishments on it?

Community Answer

It should turn out fine, just don't use too much paint or the pumpkin will get soggy.

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Question

Can I use a normal knife to carve a pumpkin?

The Springy Gymnast

Community Answer

Yes; use a small, thin kitchen knife for the best results.

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Question

Can I do it with normal knives and spoons?

Gigglygoofs

Community Answer

Yes, as long as the knife you use to carve the pumpkin is sturdy enough that it won't bend, and you take it slow.

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Question

Can I use water to get the rest of the veins out?

Community Answer

Of course, but don't drown the pumpkin in the water, otherwise it will become discolored.

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Question

Are pumpkins tough to cut into?

Community Answer

Usually not, as long as you use a serrated knife, saw back and forth, and take it slow.

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Question

What do you do if you want to make your own stencil?

Community Answer

Draw your design on thick paper to make a stencil.

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Question

Can I use an ax to carve my pumpkin?

Community Answer

No, that would be very messy. Use a knife or a tool designed specifically for carving.

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Question

Do I apply Vaseline inside or outside of the pumpkin?

Mishka

Community Answer

Once you’ve carved your pumpkin, put petroleum jelly around the curved edges as well as all around the inside to help keep it moisturized. This will ensure the pumpkin stays fresh for a longer amount of time. If you don’t have any Vaseline on hand, you can use vegetable oil, olive oil, or WD-40.

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Question

Can I carve whatever I want into the pumpkin, or do I need to have a face? I just want to carve eyes.

Isaiah Kruckman

Community Answer

You can carve whatever your heart desires. Doesn't matter what you carve.

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Question

Can I color the pumpkin and then carve it?

Community Answer

Yes, you can! Just make sure to clean the pumpkin before you color it; otherwise, your coloring would look rough.

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Question

Where do I get carving supplies?

Community Answer

Pumpkin carving kits can be found in most craft and department stores.

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Question

Is there a way to keep the bugs out of my pumpkin after it is cut?

Community Answer

You can spray the inside of your pumpkin with a mix of water and bleach. This should help the bugs away from it.

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Question

Can I make my pumpkin green with paint?

Community Answer

Yes, but don't put too much on.

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Question

How do I carve a really cool pumpkin when it is huge?

Community Answer

Use a stencil or draw something freehand.

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Question

What would you say is the funniest carving ever etched into a pumpkin?

Community Answer

Many have agreed on the fact that a picture of a pumpkin with clenched eyes and an unpleasant open mouth with pumpkin seeds spilling out of the mouth, looking like it's vomiting, is the funniest.

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Question

Is it possible to dry out the carved pumpkin and keep it for the next year?

AbigailAbernathy

Top Answerer

No. Pumpkins are vegetables, and rot and go bad. Freezing a pumpkin is not ideal, nor is it practical to attempt to dehydrate a carved pumpkin.

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Question

How long does it take to carve a pumpkin?

Community Answer

It can take a few hours to a few days depending on the intricacy of your design and your level of experience.

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Question

Is it true that I should cut the bottom of the pumpkin out instead of the top?

Community Answer

You could do either one, although people generally cut the top out.

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Question

How do I make my pumpkin last longer?

Simon Koch

Community Answer

Make sure to clean out the inside of your pumpkin as much as possible. Give it a bleach-water bath after you carve it. Apply petroleum jelly. Rehydrate the pumpkin daily. Store it in the fridge overnight. Give it an ice bath.

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Question

If I use a fake pumpkin to make it last longer, does it still have the same characteristics as a real pumpkin?

Community Answer

If you get a good fake pumpkin, it will look more realistic than a cheaper one.

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Question

Could I attach lights on it?

Katelyn Brannan

Community Answer

Yes, you could attach lights to it. If you chose to attach lights to it I would suggest poking holes through the pumpkin then put the lights through it. Or you could just lay the lights in the pumpkin. Just have fun with it.

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Question

Can I eat the seeds?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Roasted pumpkin seeds are great!

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Question

Are pumpkins supposed to smell bad when I remove the top?

Community Answer

Pumpkins are not supposed to smell "bad," but since that's a subjective term, it's hard to say for sure in your case. They are supposed to smell like pumpkins, and that may not be a desirable scent to you. The pumpkin shouldn't smell rotten or anything like that though.

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Question

Are all pumpkins the same color?

Annelise Albert-Hall

Community Answer

No! Not all pumpkins are orange. There are different types of pumpkins that are different colors ranging from orange to red, white to black, and even green!

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Question

Can I carve a pumpkin with a regular kitchen knife?

Julia

Community Answer

Yes. Just make sure it is sharp enough and that it won't bend.

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