Finding your pumpkin's Halloween face

There's nothing like carving a pumpkin to get in a bewitching mood. Glowing orbs with frightening or funny faces are the eye candy of Halloween.

Never done it, or want to try something new? Free designs, or stencils, are available at a number of Web sites, along with a cauldron of other useful information. You can subscribe to some sites to get access to hundreds more designs.

Here are sites we liked:

-- www.bhg.com/holidays/halloween/pumpkin-carving

Includes 38 printable stencils, plus a dozen dog breed stencils, and more.

We had a lot of fun with the virtual Carve-a-Pumpkin feature on the site. There's three ways to carve: Freehand, where you guide the carving knife with a mouse; straight lines; or click, drag and drop pre-formed shapes for eyes, nose and mouth. When you've finished your masterpiece, you can send it as an e-card or print it out.

-- http://familyfun.go.com

Twelve free patterns, including a pumpkin pirate and a ghoulish ghost. Also offers whole head decorating ideas, such as the Veggie Head Pumpkin.

-- www.carvingpumpkins.com

This site specializes in more detailed, three-toned carving patterns.

-- www.pumpkin-carving.com

The home page is titled Pumpkin Carving 101, which guides you through every aspect. At least six free stencils offered.

Carving tips

1. Select a pumpkin large enough to accommodate the design and smooth enough to make carving easier. Choose one at least 9 inches high if it is to be lighted with a candle.
2. Choose a carving pattern and size it to the pumpkin face or create your own template.
3. Prepare the area for easy clean-up. Spread newspapers out to work on, allowing room for the pumpkin as well as the seeds and pulp.
4. Assemble carving tools. Specialized tools may be purchased or you may already have tools on hand.

Special serrated metal saws are usually part of a carving kit and are safer than knives. Be extremely careful if using kitchen knives, or any tool for that matter. Let children watch, not cut.

Other needed tools may include a nail, nut pick or push pins for scoring the design; a large metal spoon or ice-cream scoop for cleaning out the pumpkin; and a drill or small power tools such as Dremel for detail work.

1. Make a lid. Draw a circle around the stem large enough to be able to reach inside the pumpkin. Angle the saw or knife toward the center of the pumpkin when cutting to create a ledge that will support the lid.
2. Clean out pumpkin. Scrape the pulp and seeds from the inside. Scrape until wall is 1-1 1/2 inches thick. Flatten a spot at the base for the candle to sit on, but not too thin.
3. Tape or pin pattern on area you want to carve. Use a sharp, finely pointed device (nail, nut pick or push pin) to poke small holes along the design lines into the pumpkin.

Or draw your design on the pumpkin with a water-based marker. Use a damp sponge to erase mistakes.

1. Following the dots or pattern, saw the pumpkin slowly and gently at a 90-degree angle with an up-and-down motion. Always keep a portion of the blade in the pumpkin. Be patient, don't force.

Tips:

--Work from the center out and cut your smallest pieces first.

--Don't cut all the way to the end of a line on the first cut.

--Remove and reinsert the saw to make corners.

--Small holes such as eyes should be drilled, not sawed.

You can use an X-Acto knife for details and the tip of a potato peeler to make small circles and curves.

1. Remove carved portions by gently pushing them into or out of the pumpkin.
2. Fix a bad break by using a toothpick to reattach the section.

Teresa Taylor is the food editor. Reach her at food@postandcourier.com or 937-4886.