Create the scariest Halloween jack-o’-lanterns with our step-by-step guide from UK’s record-breaking pumpkin carver

FOR many parents, the scariest part of Halloween is the tricky task of carving a pumpkin.

But fear not – help is at hand from Dave Finkle, who holds records for the fastest carved pumpkin and the most Halloween pumpkins carved in an hour.

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Dave Finkle, who holds records for the fastest carved pumpkin [/caption]

Here, he gives Lynsey Hope a step-by-step guide so you can create amazing jack-o’-lanterns at home.

Dave, 41, from Little Baddow, Essex, says: “Pumpkin carving is a lot of fun so get the kids involved.

“If people are unable to go trick or treating then I hope they will post pictures of their designs on social media and share them. It could be just the fun we all need.”

1. FIND A SPOOKY DESIGN:

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Find a design, either from online or making your own sketch[/caption]

Take a minute to find a design you like. It could be a Frankenstein’s monster face or a witch’s cat. You can search online or do a little sketch beforehand so you’ve got something to follow. If you’re a novice, it’s a great idea to use a stencil. There are plenty you can download from the internet for free.

2. PICK YOUR VICTIM:

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Pick a pumpkin with a shape that fits your design[/caption]

Pick the right shape pumpkin for your design. Some are tall or oblong, others are short and squat. Steer clear of dark pumpkins as the skin can be tough, which can make carving quite ­difficult. Also, avoid ones sold for cooking as these have a lot of flesh and a very small cavity inside, making them hard to carve.

3. CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON:

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Invest in proper carving tools designed for the job[/caption]

Resist the urge to use kitchen knives or you could end up in your own horror movie. Invest in proper carving tools designed for the job. You can buy them for £4 on Amazon or as little as £1 in Asda. You will get better results, enabling you to attempt trickier designs and more intricate carvings.

4. DRAW FIRST BLOOD:

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Don’t cut a ‘lid’ at the top – cutting the base will stop the pumpkin from becoming dehydrated[/caption]

Don’t cut out a lid. It’s a common mistake and tends to make the pumpkin dehydrate. Instead, turn the pumpkin on its side and carve a hole in the bottom. Use a cookie cutter to scrape away the flesh. Remove all of the stringy bits. Later you can place your light then pop the pumpkin on top.

5. PIN HIM UP:

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Make sure the design is the right size for your pumpkin[/caption]

Use standard drawing pins to attach your design or stencil to the pumpkin. Make sure the design is the right size for your pumpkin. Now you are almost ready to start carving.

6. USE YOUR MAGIC:

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For maximum accuracy, make short, sharp cuts with your blade[/caption]

Use a specialist punching tool to push holes in your ­pumpkin all along the design. For maximum accuracy, make short, sharp cuts with your blade.

7. LIGHT HIM UP:

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t’s important to keep your saw at a horizontal 90-degree angle[/caption]

Cut out your design by joining the dots together with your knife blade. It’s important to keep your saw at a horizontal 90-degree angle or else you will create a smaller hole on the inside of the pumpkin than the outside and not allow enough light out. Once this is done you can insert your light.

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