You don't always have to have a plan to begin whittling. Sometimes I'll grab a piece of wood and just try to see where the knife and the natural shape of the wood take me. More often than not however, I'm the type of person that likes to know what I'm carving ahead of time (or at least, what I'm attempting to carve). Either way, transforming a piece of wood into a charming creation with just a sharp knife and your imagination is magic. If you're like me, and a little wood carving inspiration is helpful to get you started, you've come to the right place. These 5 whittling ideas for beginners, using common 1x1x4 inch basswood blocks, will help you develop your fundamental knife skills while creating cool project you'll have fun making.
Whether you're looking for easy whittling projects to tackle on a quiet weekend or simple whittling projects to share with family, these wood whittling ideas strike the perfect balance between achievable and rewarding. Each project in this collection has been chosen specifically for beginners – they require minimal whittling tools, use basic whittling techniques, and result in finished pieces that are genuinely satisfying to create and share.
Enjoy!
1. How to Whittle a Minimalist Owl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4Mvy6Bipno
This is one of the first whittling projects I remember completing as a beginner. These owls have so much character, and they're simple enough to carve with just one whittling knife, even if you have very little experience.
Here's a picture of that first carving. I took my 1x1x4 basswood block and my Schaaf Tools Whittling Kit and went down to the park. I think it took me a few sessions to complete, and he know lives perched on top of my computer monitor at home.
2. How to Whittle a Simple, Cute bird
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuiPh2W75iw
Why we love it: Sometimes simple whittling projects are the best. I'll be honest...I got hooked whittling these little Linker birds. They are truly addicting, and so much fun to carve. After using the whittling how to video to make two or three birds, I was able to begin carving them from memory. You can give each one so much character and variety just by giving it a different paint job or a slightly different crown. So grab your whittling knife - I'm excited for you to discover these cute bird whittles!
Here are a the first two that I carved:
3. How to Whittle a Simple Fox
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI-Qu1FNUio&t=1054s
Why We Love It: Brian's whittling how to tutorials on his Carving is Fun YouTube channel are always really well done, easy to follow and very accessible, making them perfect easy whittling projects for beginners. This tutorial on how to whittle a fox is no different. In fact, it's his most popular video, and one of the most popular whittling tutorials on YouTube. This project is a great place to start, learn your basic knife cuts, and end up with a cool finished creation you'll be proud of.
4. Not Your Normal Gnome
https://woodcarvingillustrated.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Tiny-Gnomes-Article.pdf
I know, I know. One out of every two "basic whittling projects" out there is another gnome video. And guess what, I'm going to give you another one. But these tiny carved gnomes from Wood Carving Illustrated are different. I promise. Something about the crazy hats, and the bulbous noses. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but I love these little guys, and I hope they inspire you too. Also, for those of you that would prefer to read instead of watch a video, this project is for you.
5. Whittling a Ball In a Cage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yowrB8GskNc
This project is on the more difficult end of the basic wood carving projects spectrum. I'll be honest, the ball in cage project intimidates me a little bit. But I'm actually in the process of carving one right now, using this video. I'll update the article when I'm done with a photo, and a little bit about how it went. I included this project because its pretty darn cool, and it certainly inspires me to whittle something a little bit outside my comfort zone. Maybe it will do the same for you!
I hope these whittling projects inspire you to pick up a knife and start carving! There's honestly nothing quite like the meditative rhythm of whittling and the satisfaction of watching a simple piece of wood transform under your hands.
When you're ready to dive in, having the right tools makes all the difference in your whittling journey. Our 3-piece whittling kit for beginners gives you everything you need to tackle these projects with confidence – a quality general carving knife, detail knife, and hook knife that will serve you well as your skills develop. For those who want the complete experience right out of the box, our 5-piece whittling knife set includes additional specialty tools that open up even more creative possibilities.
Remember, every expert whittler started exactly where you are now. So grab your whittling tools, find a comfortable spot, and start carving. I'd love to see what you create – feel free to share your finished projects with us on social media!
What will you carve from your first 1x1x4 basswood block? Share your creations with us on Instagram using #Schaaftools, and don't forget to tag us to join our growing community of makers!
Ready to start your whittling journey? Our 3pc Whittling Knife Set includes everything you need to tackle these projects, plus basswood blocks to get you started immediately. Protect your hands with our Cut-Resistant Safety Gloves while you master these new techniques.