Pumpkin carving doesn’t have to be complicated to be impressive! This list is full of charming, beginner-friendly ideas that ...

Grab an oval-shaped pumpkin and place it on its side so the stem is the nose to create the porcupine’s body. Next, create quills by pressing toothpicks into the rind, leaving enough space for eyes.

1. Pick the right pumpkin When it comes to picking the best pumpkin, pay attention to the stem, said Jon Neill, a special effects artist and professional pumpkin carver.

Step 3: Clean it up—Go back with your carving tool and neaten up the lines. It is also a good idea to wipe down your pumpkin with a wet cloth to get rid of any unwanted pumpkin flesh on the outside.

Trim the stem on an oblong-shaped pumpkin after carving out a vertical arm, then place a smaller one on top to complete the skeleton's spooky arm. Get the tutorial at Country Living.

Use the stem as a nose Who says the stem is the top of the pumpkin? Turn your gourd on its side, and you'll find the stem makes a great schnozz. And stems, like noses, come in all sorts of shapes.

Carving a jack-o’-lantern has been a Halloween tradition for more than 100 years. An Irish myth says when a man named Stingy Jack died, he wasn’t allowed into heaven or hell but was forced to ...

Begin by carving the pumpkin from the bottom rather than the top. This way, you can keep the stem intact for a better look and conveniently place your Jack o' Lantern over your light source.

For most, carving a pumpkin with knives and saws from a cheap carving kit is a blast. It’s a holiday tradition that allows you to stretch your creative muscles and get lost in the zen of carving ...

Scare up smiles during the Halloween season by carving a pumpkin! And while you've likely carved more than your fair share of pumpkins over the years, there's always something new to learn! So we ...

If it’s browner, or really dried out, it’s an older pumpkin.” A good carving pumpkin should also be free of soft spots or bruising, which will lead to faster decay.