Whittling for beginners: a simple guide to getting started with wood carving
Whittling for beginners: a simple guide to getting started with wood carving
Whittling is one of the most accessible and rewarding forms of traditional craft. With just a knife and a bit of patience, you can transform a simple piece of wood into something unique and full of character. Whether you’re making a spoon, a decorative figure, or a Dala horse, carving allows you to slow down, focus, and create with your hands.
Whittling is one of the most accessible and rewarding forms of traditional craft. With just a knife and a bit of patience, you can transform a simple piece of wood into something unique and full of character. Whether you’re making a spoon, a decorative figure, or a Dala horse, carving allows you to slow down, focus, and create with your hands.
Why whittle?
Why whittle?
Whittling isn’t just a creative craft—it’s almost meditative. It offers a calming pause where your hands get to work in silence. For anyone used to spending hours in front of a screen, there’s something deeply satisfying about working with your hands and watching a shape emerge, one knife stroke at a time.
You can carve practical objects like spoons, bowls, or knobs or let your imagination run free and create figures or decorative patterns.
Whittling isn’t just a creative craft—it’s almost meditative. It offers a calming pause where your hands get to work in silence. For anyone used to spending hours in front of a screen, there’s something deeply satisfying about working with your hands and watching a shape emerge, one knife stroke at a time.
You can carve practical objects like spoons, bowls, or knobs or let your imagination run free and create figures or decorative patterns.
Tools and materials for getting started with whittling
Tools and materials for getting started with whittling
To start whittling, all you really need is a piece of wood and a good carving knife.
Wood
Start with soft, easy-to-carve woods like birch, alder, linden, or aspen.
Fresh (or “green”) wood is often easier to work with than dried wood, but dry wood holds its shape better.
According to Sweden’s right of public access, you may only collect branches and twigs that have already fallen to the ground. Cutting wood from living trees requires permission from the landowner. You can also ask a forest owner if you may take from felled trees— or simply buy ready-to-use blanks online or in a craft or hobby store.
To start whittling, all you really need is a piece of wood and a good carving knife.
Wood
Start with soft, easy-to-carve woods like birch, alder, linden, or aspen.
Fresh (or “green”) wood is often easier to work with than dried wood, but dry wood holds its shape better.
According to Sweden’s right of public access, you may only collect branches and twigs that have already fallen to the ground. Cutting wood from living trees requires permission from the landowner. You can also ask a forest owner if you may take from felled trees— or simply buy ready-to-use blanks online or in a craft or hobby store.
Whittling knives
Whittling knives
A good whittling knife should feel comfortable in your hand and have a sharp blade that offers great control. As a beginner, look for a knife that’s easy to handle, works well for various types of carving, and includes a finger guard for a safer grip.
Woodcarving Basic (S): Our most beginner-friendly carving knife. It’s easy to handle, features a grippy plastic handle with a protective finger guard, and has a slim, pointed blade that works well for a variety of carving tasks.
Woodcarving Knife 106: A great entry-level knife. It has a comfortable birch handle and a longer 85 mm blade, making it suitable for more powerful cuts. Available in both carbon steel (C) and laminated carbon steel (LC), with the LC version featuring a polished surface for added rust resistance.
Expand your carving toolkit: There are many types of carving knives designed for different tasks. Learn more about which model suits you in the guide “Find the Right Carving Knife.”
Saw and sanding materials
A small saw is useful for cutting your wood pieces to the right size. Sandpaper or sanding blocks help smooth the surfaces and give your project a clean, finished look.
Safety
As a beginner, it’s a good idea to wear protective gloves.
A good whittling knife should feel comfortable in your hand and have a sharp blade that offers great control. As a beginner, look for a knife that’s easy to handle, works well for various types of carving, and includes a finger guard for a safer grip.
Woodcarving Basic (S): Our most beginner-friendly carving knife. It’s easy to handle, features a grippy plastic handle with a protective finger guard, and has a slim, pointed blade that works well for a variety of carving tasks.
Woodcarving Knife 106: A great entry-level knife. It has a comfortable birch handle and a longer 85 mm blade, making it suitable for more powerful cuts. Available in both carbon steel (C) and laminated carbon steel (LC), with the LC version featuring a polished surface for added rust resistance.
Expand your carving toolkit: There are many types of carving knives designed for different tasks. Learn more about which model suits you in the guide “Find the Right Carving Knife.”
Saw and sanding materials
A small saw is useful for cutting your wood pieces to the right size. Sandpaper or sanding blocks help smooth the surfaces and give your project a clean, finished look.
Safety
As a beginner, it’s a good idea to wear protective gloves.
Basic Whittling Techniques
Basic Whittling Techniques
Working position: Use a stable work surface. Sit with your feet flat on the ground, legs apart, and your forearms resting on your thighs.
Carving away from your body: As a beginner, always carve away from your body. Hold the knife firmly and use small, controlled strokes. Experienced carvers may carve toward themselves with refined technique and control.
Pulling the wood over a still knife: Keep the knife steady and pull the wood toward the edge. Great for removing larger amounts of material quickly.
Thumb push: Use the thumb of your non-dominant hand to gently push the back of the knife blade while your knife hand guides the movement. This technique provides excellent control for short, precise cuts.
Carving toward yourself: Don’t try this until you’re confident with knife control. Angle the knife outward and let your wrist act as a natural stop. This method is often used for creating thin shavings—like feather sticks.
Cutting
Use the full length of the blade and let the knife do the work—don’t saw. Always carve along the grain when possible; it’s usually easier than working against it.
Sanding
Once you’ve finished carving, sand the wood for a smooth surface. Start with coarse sandpaper and finish with a finer grit for a polished result.
Working position: Use a stable work surface. Sit with your feet flat on the ground, legs apart, and your forearms resting on your thighs.
Carving away from your body: As a beginner, always carve away from your body. Hold the knife firmly and use small, controlled strokes. Experienced carvers may carve toward themselves with refined technique and control.
Pulling the wood over a still knife: Keep the knife steady and pull the wood toward the edge. Great for removing larger amounts of material quickly.
Thumb push: Use the thumb of your non-dominant hand to gently push the back of the knife blade while your knife hand guides the movement. This technique provides excellent control for short, precise cuts.
Carving toward yourself: Don’t try this until you’re confident with knife control. Angle the knife outward and let your wrist act as a natural stop. This method is often used for creating thin shavings—like feather sticks.
Cutting
Use the full length of the blade and let the knife do the work—don’t saw. Always carve along the grain when possible; it’s usually easier than working against it.
Sanding
Once you’ve finished carving, sand the wood for a smooth surface. Start with coarse sandpaper and finish with a finer grit for a polished result.
Whittling project ideas for beginners
To carve safely and achieve good results, there are a few basic techniques worth learning: Having a clear project in mind makes it easier—and more enjoyable—to get started. Here are some great ideas to try:
- Dala Horse: Carve your own version of this timeless symbol of Swedish craft. Try our Starter Kit, which includes a carving knife, hook knife, and a pre-cut pine Dala horse.
- Butter knife: A classic and simple project that’s also useful in everyday life.
- Spoon or ladle: A slightly more advanced project that teaches hollowing techniques using a hook knife.
- Wooden figures or animals: Small decorative carvings are great for practicing precision—and they make lovely gifts.
- Wall hooks or cabinet knobs: Fun to carve and practical for use in your entryway or kitchen.
- Feather sticks: Thin, dry wood shavings are ideal for practicing control and finishing short strokes.
Whittling project ideas for beginners
To carve safely and achieve good results, there are a few basic techniques worth learning: Having a clear project in mind makes it easier—and more enjoyable—to get started. Here are some great ideas to try:
- Dala Horse: Carve your own version of this timeless symbol of Swedish craft. Try our Starter Kit, which includes a carving knife, hook knife, and a pre-cut pine Dala horse.
- Butter knife: A classic and simple project that’s also useful in everyday life.
- Spoon or ladle: A slightly more advanced project that teaches hollowing techniques using a hook knife.
- Wooden figures or animals: Small decorative carvings are great for practicing precision—and they make lovely gifts.
- Wall hooks or cabinet knobs: Fun to carve and practical for use in your entryway or kitchen.
- Feather sticks: Thin, dry wood shavings are ideal for practicing control and finishing short strokes.
Tips to improve as a whittler
Use the right tools. Choose the right knife for each project—see our guide on finding the best whittling knife.
Get to know the material. Work with soft, easy-to-carve woods like birch, alder, linden, and aspen. Fresh wood is easier to carve, while dry wood holds its shape longer.
Practice regularly. The more often you carve, the better your technique will become.
Experiment freely. Try chip carving, staining, or painting your figures to add personality.
Stay inspired. Take a course, watch tutorials on YouTube, follow carvers on social media, and check out our carving guides for more tips and ideas.
Tips to improve as a whittler
Use the right tools. Choose the right knife for each project—see our guide on finding the best whittling knife.
Get to know the material. Work with soft, easy-to-carve woods like birch, alder, linden, and aspen. Fresh wood is easier to carve, while dry wood holds its shape longer.
Practice regularly. The more often you carve, the better your technique will become.
Experiment freely. Try chip carving, staining, or painting your figures to add personality.
Stay inspired. Take a course, watch tutorials on YouTube, follow carvers on social media, and check out our carving guides for more tips and ideas.
The Swedish Knife Grip Sessions
The Swedish Knife Grip Sessions
Check out our Ambassador Jögge “s u r o l l e” Sundqvist in the Youtube series The Swedish Knife Grip Sessions, where he shows various knife grips and techniques that will help you carve in an effective and safe way.
Check out our Ambassador Jögge “s u r o l l e” Sundqvist in the Youtube series The Swedish Knife Grip Sessions, where he shows various knife grips and techniques that will help you carve in an effective and safe way.