How to cut a pumpkin for Halloween: step by step instructions
'28.10.2019'
Source: Life hacker
Detailed instructions and useful videos.
A pumpkin lamp is Halloween's most famous attribute. It is a hollow pumpkin with a face carved on it and a candle inserted inside, writes Life hacker.
This pumpkin is also called the "Jack lamp" (Jack ‑ o'-lantern). Legend has it about the drunkard Jack, who twice tricked the devil and after death, not allowed to go to heaven or hell, was forced to wander on the ground, lighting his way with embers.
Therefore, various faces with a frightening smile are usually depicted on a pumpkin. Although some people prefer to cut other drawings, for example, ghosts, witches, animals, characters from films and cartoons, and even complex art compositions.
What you need
First of all, find a beautiful pumpkin without severe damage.
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For cutting you will need a strong knife. If the pattern is complex, take a few pieces of different sizes. You can clean the inside of a pumpkin with a large spoon.
A marker or pen is useful for drawing. You may also need a drawing template. Many different options can be found and downloaded. here и here. If you decide to use a template, you will need scissors, tape or stationery buttons and a needle.
Prepare one or more candles, as well as a lighter or matches. Instead of real candles, if you want, you can use electric ones.
Cut off the top of the pumpkin. In order not to make a mistake, you can draw a circle on top, on which you want to cut.
In a circle, cut the flesh of a pumpkin.
Take out the cut part.
You can remove the top a little differently. Cut it at an angle, piercing the pumpkin through and cutting it in a circle. Remove the top and cut the flesh.
Do not throw the top, it will come in handy.
Spoon out the seeds and any excess pulp. Pumpkin should be empty from the inside. If the walls of the future lamp seem thick to you, scrape off even more pulp from the inside.
Draw triangular eyes and a nose on a pumpkin, a mouth extended in a smile and several teeth.
If you decide to make a lamp using the template, first print your favorite option. Then there are two ways to use it. First: cut out the details on the template, attach it to the pumpkin with tape or buttons and circle the holes.
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The second way: attach the template to the pumpkin and walk along the edges of the parts with a needle. There should be a noticeable dotted line. After these lines, for convenience, you can circle the marker or pen.
Start to cut along the marked lines.
Discard the cut out part. You will not need it anymore.
Cut out the other painted parts in the same way.
Place one or more candles inside and light.
Put on top the previously cut top. The lamp is ready.
The whole process is shown in this video:
What other options are there
As already mentioned, there are a lot of designs for pumpkin lamps. This tutorial shows how to make Jack's flashlight with a menacing grimace:
And here is the original creepy lamp with a small pumpkin in the teeth:
Here are funny and not scary faces at all:
And these are themed lights with superheroes:
