Animal Whittling: A 10-Project Journey From Simple Shapes to Detailed Creatures

Animals make up the single biggest category in this library, so this journey exists to give that pile of options some order. It starts with shapes that are really just rounding practice (a whale, a simple bird) and works up to animals with legs, tails, and real facial detail.

All 10 are knife-only, no power tools or specialty gouges required beyond what's already listed per project.

0 of 10 done

Step 1 of 10 Simple Fish (15 min) tutorial thumbnail

Simple Fish (15 min)

beginner 1x1x2in / 2.5x2.5x5cm ~15 min

Fast project, good for practicing repeatable clean cuts once the bird feels easy.

Step 2 of 10 Simple Squirrel (Carving is Fun) tutorial thumbnail

Simple Squirrel (Carving is Fun)

beginner varies ~20 min

Carved on a small log section rather than a squared block, so size varies with what you start from.

Step 3 of 10 Flatplane Bird tutorial thumbnail

Flatplane Bird

beginner 1x1x3in / 2.5x2.5x7.5cm ~22 min

Fast, very simple flat-faceted style rather than fully rounded, good for practicing clean flat cuts.

Step 4 of 10 Sea Turtle tutorial thumbnail

Sea Turtle

beginner 1x1x2in / 2.5x2.5x5cm ~25 min

Simple rounded shell + flippers. Size is estimated from the block-series style, not confirmed exact, check the video's intro.

Step 5 of 10 Simple Bird (Carving is Fun) tutorial thumbnail

Simple Bird (Carving is Fun)

beginner 1x1x2in / 2.5x2.5x5cm ~25 min

Smaller and simpler than the Comfort Bird, good quick repeat of the bird shape.

Step 6 of 10 Simple Bunny (Carving is Fun) tutorial thumbnail

Simple Bunny (Carving is Fun)

beginner 1x1x2in / 2.5x2.5x5cm ~25 min

Smaller/simpler than the 'Cute Bunny' from the same channel, no downloadable template for this one.

Step 7 of 10 Minimalist Whale tutorial thumbnail

Minimalist Whale

beginner 1x1x3.5in / 2.5x2.5x9cm ~30 min

A stripped-down whale shape with almost no detail work, good for practicing rounding on a small blank.

Step 8 of 10 Simple Dog tutorial thumbnail

Simple Dog

beginner 1x1x2in / 2.5x2.5x5cm ~30 min

Same family as the bear/fox/cat from this channel, good for practicing consistent proportions across animals.

Step 9 of 10 Simple Cat tutorial thumbnail

Simple Cat

beginner 1x1x2in / 2.5x2.5x5cm ~30 min

Same block size and animal-shaping approach as the dog/bear from this channel.

Step 10 of 10 Cute Bunny tutorial thumbnail

Cute Bunny

beginner 1x1x2.5in / 2.5x2.5x6.35cm ~30 min

Has its own downloadable template. Slightly bigger block than the other 'Simple Bunny' from the same channel.

See all project journeys → · Browse the full library →