Free Pumpkin Carving Patterns and Stencils
Is your Jack-o-lantern a simple grinning pumpkinhead? Turn him into something wild and creative with free pumpkin stencils you can find on the web. See the list of sites offering free stencils below, and learn some more about the history of jack-o-lanterns and carving your creation.
History of Jack-o-Lanterns
Why do we carve pumpkins?
Throughout Britain and Ireland, there is a long tradition of carving lanterns from vegetables, particularly the turnip, mangelwurzel, or swede. But not until 1837 does jack-o'-lantern appear as a term for a carved vegetable lantern, and the carved lantern does not become associated specifically with Halloween until 1866. Significantly, both occurred not in Britain or Ireland, but in North America. Historian David J. Skal writes,"Although every modern chronicle of the holiday repeats the claim that vegetable lanterns were a time-honored component of Halloween celebrations in the British Isles, none gives any primary documentation. In fact, none of the major nineteenth-century chronicles of British holidays and folk customs make any mention whatsoever of carved lanterns in connection with Halloween. Neither do any of the standard works of the early twentieth century."
"Oh!-fruit loved of boyhood!-the old days recalling,
When wood-grapes were purpling and brown nuts were falling!
When wild, ugly faces we carved in its skin,
Glaring out through the dark with a candle within!"
Source: Wikipedia
Where to Find Free Pumpkin Carving Stencils Online
Patterns and Stencils to Create the Ultimate Jack-o-Lantern
Pumpkin Stencil Maker - Better Homes and Gardens
Pumpkins All Aglow - Parents.com
Pumpkin Carving Templates - HP.com
World Wildlife Fund Pumpkin Carving Templates - HP.com
Kim's Free Pumpkin Patterns - About.com
Free Carving Patterns - The Pumpkin Lady
Free Pumpkin Carving Stencils.net
Pumpkin Cutouts - History Channel
Pumpkin Carving Templates - KOA
Halloween Pumpkin Carving Ideas - Celebrating Halloween
Patterns - Zombie Pumpkins
Nick Jr. Pumpkin Patterns
Pumpkin Stencils - Hershey TrickorTreats
If You Can't Carve... Cheat!
Turn your pumpkin into a pirate
Mr. Potato Head Pirate Pumpkin Decorating Kit
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 11/18/2009)
Creating a pirate pumpkin from this kit is so easy, even a child can do it. Just get a pumpkin (not included) and have fun poking these pirate pieces into it. No carving, no cutting, and none of that gooey pumpkin stuff to deal with! Fun for anyone who loves Mr. Potato Head!
Free Halloween Photo E-Cards
Share your pumpkin carving creations with friends!
More Halloween Pages
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Funny Costume Ideas for Halloween 2009
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Halloween is the only time of the year when adults are not only allowed, but actually encouraged, to act a little childish and play make-believe. So live it up! Here are 10 funny costume ideas you can make at home and 10 funny costumes you can buy on...
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Save Money with a Costume Coupon Code
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These days, everyone is looking for ways to save money, and when you're shopping online, one of the best ways to do that is to look for coupon codes. Many stores offer coupons that give you discounts or free shipping, and Halloween stores are no exce...
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Have Fun With An Inflatable Halloween Costume
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It's hard to stand out at a Halloween party. After all, everyone wants to have the best costume. But if you want to be sure to make a BIG impression, then try an inflatable Halloween costume. You may not win the award for the scariest or sexiest cost...
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Supreme Darth Vader Costume
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If you're looking for the scariest costume for Halloween this year, forget about masquerading as Jason, Freddie, or the Grim Reaper. Instead, check out the Supreme Darth Vader costume. Molded from original Lucas Studio molds, it's the ultimate costum...
Get the Right Pumpkin Carving Tools
Pumpkin Carving Tool Set
Amazon Price: (as of 11/18/2009)
If you want to carve intricate or extreme pumpkin patterns, you'll need the right tools to make the cuts that will turn your pumpkin into a piece of art. This set include nine carving tools to help you get the job done.
Pumpkin Carving Books
If you want more help, try these books for tips and ideas
Extreme Pumpkin Carving: 20 Amazing Designs from Frightful to Fabulous
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/18/2009)
The Perfect Pumpkin: Growing/Cooking/Carving
Amazon Price: $11.07 (as of 11/18/2009)
Great Pumpkins: Crafty Carving for Halloween
Amazon Price: $5.98 (as of 11/18/2009)
The Pumpkin Carving Book: How to Create Glowing Lanterns and Seasonal Displays
Amazon Price: (as of 11/18/2009)
Extreme Pumpkin Carving
For advanced carvers...
Extreme Pumpkin Carving: 20 Amazing Designs from Frightful to Fabulous
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/18/2009)
Providing a new twist on a holiday tradition, this book illustrates how to carve three-dimensional faces and scenes in pumpkins using tools ranging from kitchen knives to carving gouges and chisels. Complete information is provided for getting started, including an overview of tools and tips for finding the best pumpkin to work with. Step-by-step instructions are detailed for using handy household tools to carve dramatic Halloween figures and using professional tools for creating more elaborate and intricate details. Twenty pumpkin carving patterns are provided and include full-color photographs of each finished carving.
Pumpkin Carving Videos
Instruction and inspiration for pumpkin carvers
Any Pumpkin Carving Tips?
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Reply
- I-luv-Freebies I-luv-Freebies Nov 13, 2009 @ 11:17 pm
- You have done an awesome job!! How interesting!! Thanks for the many resources as well!! I say 5*, Fav, and even a lensroll!! Thanks again!!
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Reply
- zhenyar zhenyar Nov 13, 2009 @ 12:01 pm
- Great, I really liked this information! I will keep on updating your lens.
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Reply
- RollingLuggage RollingLuggage Nov 9, 2009 @ 4:27 pm
- Wonderful lens & Great information
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Reply
- tintin79 tintin79 Nov 1, 2009 @ 6:34 pm
- Nice Lens, I have to make some of these..
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Reply
- wayfarer wayfarer Oct 28, 2009 @ 4:20 pm
- What a fun lens! We've come so far from using the kitchen knife and carving up the pumpkin on the kitchen table.
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Reply
- newchildsafety newchildsafety Oct 25, 2009 @ 11:33 am
- I love your lens, what great ideas. The 'cheat' section is perfect for those who want to participate in Halloween by having a pumpkin without the carving. Brilliant!!!!!
For child safety tips on Halloween visit http://www.squidoo.com/newchildsafety
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Reply
- NaturalVamp NaturalVamp Oct 23, 2009 @ 4:57 pm
- Thank you for a very informative lens dahling. I will check out some of your numerous resources.
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- LoKackl LoKackl Oct 21, 2009 @ 10:58 am
- Love your ideas and instructions. 5*/fav/fan/roll best-halloween-poems-n-posters
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Reply
- Brit303 Brit303 Oct 16, 2009 @ 10:07 am
- Hey, even older guys like me carve a pumpkin for Halloween. It's fun! I just stumbled upon your lens (Oct. 16), which is good timing. I may grab a pumpkin next week. Thanks for the tips.
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- nukemdomis nukemdomis Oct 15, 2009 @ 2:40 pm
- When it comes to pumpkin carving, I think having the right tools for the job is the most important factor for carving a killer design. I usually have good experiences at Halloween when carving pumpkins as long as I have super sharp tools to complete the job.
There have been recent additions to my pumpkin carving pattern Squidoo lens. Hopefully there is something for everyone.
Not another another list of free Halloween pumpkin carving patterns
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About the Author
Lensmaster lisadh has been a member since July 23 2007, has rated 634 lenses, favorited 84, and has created 204 lenses from scratch. Lisa Howard donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund and A Day of Hope. This member's top-ranked page is "How to Write a Letter to Santa Claus". See all my lenses
by lisadh
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