Cool Carving

1. Use a marker to draw a 4- to 6-inch circle at the stem end of the pumpkin. Cut along the line with a sharp serrated knife and remove the top and set aside. (For easiest carving, use a sawing motion.)

2. Scoop out the soft pulp inside of the pumpkin with a spoon or jar lid.

3. Let our photo inspire your design, or click to the pattern pages to get printable patterns. Draw your design on the pumpkin using a marker. Or, tape a paper pattern to the pumpkin and use a ballpoint pen to poke small dots into pumpkin along the lines, then remove the pattern.

4. Using a sharp, thin-bladed knife, cut out the eyes, mouth, and other features.

5. To illuminate, set a votive candle inside a small ceramic or foil cup, place inside the pumpkin, and light with a long wooden match or long-necked lighter.

• To make white teeth or eyes, cut only through the surface of the skin. Then use a knife to "peel" or cut back the orange layer.
• Make holes for ears and use pumpkin scraps with funny shapes to stick in those holes.
• After you have carved your pumpkin, wipe Vaseline along the cut edges -- this will help preserve your pumpkin.
• You can use cookie cutters to pattern shapes for your pumpkin.