Easy Whittling Projects – Things To Carve from Wood
Updated on June 14, 2017
When it comes to handcrafted wares, there are countless different things you can make, and of all different kinds. Many people do fine, detailed things using fabrics, flosses, and needles, but such delicate crafts aren’t for everyone. Some people like to make something that they can mould more heavily with their own hands. That’s where things like woodworking come into play. Are you interested in working with wood and even with some power tools but you’re not quite ready to take on building entire pieces of furniture? Then you’re the perfect person to start learning how to whittle.
Check out these 15 simple tutorials that will teach you how to whittle all kinds of things using different techniques!
1. Painted wooden bird
Have you always been a nature and animal lover and loved the way carved and whittled animals kind of harness that natural beauty by virtue of being made from wood? Then why not make one of your own? Oops, I Craft My Pants guides you through the process of not only whittling your own little bird but also painting it any colour or feather pattern you like once it’s all carved out!
2. Whittled Bass fish
Are you thinking about making something a little more detailed and practicing your smooth cutting skills, your rounding skills, and your detailed carving techniques all at once? Then this classic looking bass fish is definitely the project for you. Get the step to step instructions for it from Wet Canvas.
3. Whittled standing shark
Does the idea of whittling your very own sea creature appeal to you a lot because you’ve always enjoyed water and all that inhabits it, but you’d rather make something a little more fierce than the average sea bass? Then perhaps whittling a shark is a little bit more your speed! DIY.org teaches you the precise angles to cut to make a shark of your own.
4. Easy 3 minute owl
Are you a little more experienced with whittling but still looking for something very simple and quick to do that might help you teach someone new about the skill? Then try this 3-minute owl from Whittling With Will! Of course, you should always take as much time as you need to complete a project when you’re working with sharp objects, but as far as whittling projects go, this one is certainly a quick piece in comparison to others.
5. Whittled wooden tobacco pipe
Perhaps you’d rather whittle something that someone might actually use because you think it would be easier to sell in a handcrafted store you’re trying to build? Then you might consider creating tobacco pipes like the kind traditional pipe smokers would have used. Get the tutorial for making simple but traditional tobacco pipes on Instructables.
6. Little whittled dinosaur
Are you still enthralled with the idea of whittling cute, quick little figurines like the bird and the owl but none of the ones we’ve shown you so far have quite kept your attention? Then maybe this funny little dinosaur will suit you a little bit better! Kyle Stetz shows you how this adorable little creature was made.
7. Viking Chess piece
When you think of whittled pieces, does your mind wander to handmade games and vintage game pieces like ones you’ve seen at your grandparents home or in old farm sales? Well, Morfmir is here to show you how to make one of your own! If you enjoy it, why stop at one? Go ahead and make yourself an entire chess set!
8. Forest spirit wood carving
Rather than game pieces, does your mind wander to fantastical stories and woodland tales when you think of whittling? Have you done lots of research on and developed a bit of a preoccupation with forest spirits and tales of fairies, sprites, and the like? Then you’re probably no stranger to the idea of carved wooden figures inspired by these things. Perhaps you’d like to learn how to make one of your own? Then check out how Bonehead Turtle made this one!
9. Carved and painted eagle feather
Have you been practicing your whittling for a while now and you’d like to try making something that will help you perfect the fine details of what you can create? Then try something a little more intricate like this nearly-realistic feather by coondog73! You might even paint it pretty colours and patterns of your choosing if you like, or make yours match the eagle theme you see here.
10. Chisel carved Tiki Idol
Are you interested in the idea of creating a sort of little wooden effigy, kind of like the woodland spirit but you don’t have any attachment to nature and the forest? Then perhaps you’d rather create a Tiki idol like this one from The Engineer As Hero instead.
11. Wooden gnome from salvaged wood
The best part of whittling is that you can make it a repurposing or upcycling project every time you do it by using reclaimed wood! When we whittle, we often make cute things for our garden because that’s our pride and joy through most seasons of the year. If you’d like to follow suit, try making a little wooden gnome, just like this one from SinAmos. That’s where we learned how to do ours!
12. Simple wooden mixing spoon
Perhaps you’re very into the idea of creating something from wood that you can actually use elsewhere but the idea of carving tobacco pipes doesn’t really appeal to you? Then try whittling something a little more run of the mill that everyone might use! We love the idea of making a wooden spoon just like this simple one that Noahw will show you how to do.
13. Smoothly carved boomerang
Perhaps you’ve been scrolling through this list trying to find a whittling project that’s a little more unique and not necessarily something other people would first think to start making? Well, we’re pretty sure this smoothed out boomerang would fall into that category! Find out how it’s shaped and finished on Bricobart.
14. Hand carved pizza wheel
Did our suggestion of making a wooden kitchen spoon strike your interest because you think handmade utensils are a great idea but you’re not sure a stirring spoon is what you really need right now? Then perhaps you’d appreciate making yourself a wooden pizza cutter handle instead! Mr. Sanchez teaches you how to carve, smooth, and finish the handle and attach the metal tooth round.
15. Scrap wood Jack-O-Lanterns
Perhaps you’ve been looking for a fun seasonal whittling project that you can share with your kids, even though you won’t be letting them do the actual carving part until they’re much older? Then choose a cute shape that they can paint when you’re all finished! We love RockingK‘s idea of whittling little, fun shaped Jack-O-Lanterns with cute faces and letting your kids paint each one how they please.
Have you done other whittling or wood carving projects that you’re very proud of but you don’t see anything similar on our list? Tell us all about it or link us to pictures of your work in the comments section!
I have an odd looking carving of a man, If I sent a picture could you tell me where I might find one. I’d like to know the value of it. Thank you, Mary
How can I purchase patterns for whittling various item? I’m a beginner so I need some help in transferring patterns to the wood block
I would appreciate and leads or help you can provide
Thank you
hey, I just wanted to let you know I’ve seen the video for number 2 and being a fisherman it’s not a bass. It’s a brown trout a man carved using a Dremel for his mate. His mate had caught this personal best 24in brown trout and so the man decided to carve one for him