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It can be a little overwhelming starting to carve, mainly because you might not be sure exactly where to start. Truth is, it doesn’t really matter where you start, just as long as you are focusing more on just starting something.
Here are a collective number of designs that any level of wood carver, veteran or beginner, can easily accomplish with the right tools.
Whistles
Whittle a whistle! Probably one of the most simple things to do, although some practice is required to get good at making them. It still offers a project to start where basic cutting styles will be implemented. Check out the different cutting techniques here:
Whittling: An All-Inclusive Guide
Literally just pick up a good looking stick and jump into carving your whistle!
Kitchen Utensils
Many beginners start out with making something they can use afterwards. The ever so popular item being a wooden spoon (you can also do spatulas) which is an awesome idea. You can use it for yourself, sell it, or even use it as a gift (if it looks good enough).
Wood carving spoons has become an art form more than anything and with the amount of modifying features wood carving allows its no wonder why people start with carving spoons.
Find out how to carve a spoon with our >>Top Leading Spoon Carving Guide
Beach Bowls
Uses the same principles as carving a spoon except using a larger chunk of wood.
Letter Openers
Aesthetically pleasing result while giving you practice for basic whittling cuts. Very simple design to create.
Animals
Here’s one meant for beginners:
Simple enough. Not near as many features as the first but it definitely is a starting point!
Carving animals is great for beginners since you begin detailing identifying features like eyes and various shapes.
Go grab some paint and add color to your new wood carving designs!
Ornaments
Start carving gifts for people or decorating your house with little random ornaments after you get familiar with carving animals!
You can also carve original ornaments for Christmas time!
Character Figures
Yes, a hand carved yoda. It goes to show how versatile wood carving designs can be once you have an idea in mind.
Chess Pieces
Chess pieces are insanely easy to make and add character to. You’ll need to carve them from small blocks of wood you can purchase on Amazon.
Chip Carving Designs
Create a detailed pattern onto a basswood board!
This example uses various other techniques utilized in chip carving like straight lines, three point chip, and curved lines.
You can find out more about this technique of carving here:
Chip Carving: The Top Online Handbook
Here’s a more simple idea of what you can do with this model for wood carving designs
Coasters
This coaster was cut out using whittling tools and the ingrained pattern implemented whittling. A popular combination for a really cool, simple idea for beginners.
Wood Spirits
Carve wood spirits into branches or sticks you find while camping! Of course this takes some careful detail, but with time comes experience.
Gnomies
Carve little gnomes for your front yard or kitchen area.
Spiral Design
You can also begin creating various of your own designs from oddly shaped wood. Spiral designs are simple enough yet still complex to give you a challenge and rewarding all at the same time!
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but
after browsing through many of the posts I realized it’s new to me.
Anyways, I’m definitely happy I discovered
it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!
Hey there, great site! Wondering which exactly are the best tools for chip carving for beginner’s? Please be as specific as possible. Thanks very much!
Hey Kevin!
I would definitely recommend the Wayne Barton chip carving set (https://www.bestwoodcarvingtools.com/wayne-barton-chip-carving-knife-set/), very low barrier to entry since you’ll only need two knives to get started.
It was also my top recommendation for this Chip Carving guide: https://www.bestwoodcarvingtools.com/chip-carving-best-model-get-started/
Would be nice to have patterns.
Wayne Barton is a master,also a very nice person.Took Switzerland trip with him.
I was trying to find out how can I get the wood tools that I need to carve animals out with, and how much will it cost me fo a set of them.
I,m trying to find some wood carving sets to carve animals out of wood chuncks, and some faces out of it. how much woud it cost me to get. thank you very much, yours trult William Virgil Amon.
It mainly depends how much you are wanting to pay for the knife. Here is an article a list with our top 10 suggestions for a whittling knife: https://www.bestwoodcarvingtools.com/top-10-best-whittling-knives/
And be sure to get basswood also: https://www.amazon.com/Walnut-Hollow-Piece-Whittlers-Carving/dp/B0018N9Z72/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1487655852&sr=8-3&keywords=basswood&linkCode=ll1&tag=bestwoodcarvingtools-20&linkId=4858714ca1efa70193a7a6fa54dbf041
The top suggestion in that article is the mora 120 ($25) and if you get some basswood ($8), you’ll spend under $35.
Great article!!!! Maybe you could spend some time showing how to cut out the rough out for animals and spoons and such but over all very informative! Thanks
I’d love to be part of this group. Do you have regular emails? Cynda, an old timer carver.
I have recurring emails from fellow carvers a lot actually haha. Great! Anyone is welcome.
What kind of carving do you specialize?
I am retired and interested in learning to wood carve; My interest would be in carving boats and ships, what kind of tools would be needed and could you recommend any instruction guides?
Thank you
Carving 3 dimensional objects of any kind is going to be the handy work of whittling. We have an article on how to whittle. So if it’s your first time whittling then give that a read.
As far as what tools will be best for this, that is heavily dependent on how big you want the carving to be. If it’s a larger scale model of a boat you’ll need more tools than just a whittling knife but if not then here’s a couple you can choose from that work perfectly:
– Mora 120
– BeaverCraft wood carving knife
If you’re not exactly sure how to go about woodcarving a boat or ship, then here’s a time lapse video of someone doing exactly this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbevnvX8saU
This person is actually using what’s called an “X-ACTO” knife, which is used for detailing and precision.
You can find that here: X-ACTO
Let me know if you have any other questions!
I want to start whittling but I do not yet have all the tools used. Are there any designs you can find or tips that can be given for working with a simple pocket knife?
I have been carving chess sets,walking sticks, carving tree trunks in to figures, i’m disabled carving keeps me insanly happy,i was womdering if you would know where i miye be abled to get free carbing tools,im on disabelity,dont get much cash but for i carve and sell . thanks. Bert
Hello Bert,
Do you have access to Pinterest? They have a lot of free patterns. I’m wondering if a local wood carver group might be able to help you out with tools or supplies? Not sure if you have a local wood carver group.
I would love to carve the snowman. Where can I find instructions for that item?
Hey Carole,
There are several resources online that have outlines on making a snowman in various styles. Youtube would be a great place to look.
Also here is a link to a tutorial: https://beavercrafttools.com/news/carving-a-great-snowman/
Question in regards to the wood…specifically for the spoons….is green wood always used or can I use any wood I find. ie…from the lumber yard or wood that’s been sitting around for awhile and dried. I want to try my hand at carving a coffee spoon. Thanks.
Green wood is the most ideal for carving a spoon. However, you can certainly extend your spoon carving application to hardwood as well (poplar, black walnut, soft maple or cherry are great to start with).
The finer the grain, and the fewer open pores, the better. Hardwood will last longer in the kitchen, but make sure to use a food safe finish after you’re done carving.