Level Up: A 10-Project Journey Into Intermediate Whittling

Once stop cuts, rounding, and basic detail work stop feeling new, these 10 projects are where to go next. They lean on tools and techniques beyond the pure straight-knife beginner set, hook knives, longer blanks, more deliberate proportion work, so check each project's gear list before you start.

This isn't the full intermediate list in the library, just a suggested first ten.

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Step 1 of 10 Flat-Plane Figurine (David Pico) tutorial thumbnail

Flat-Plane Figurine (David Pico)

beginner-intermediate 1x1x4in / 2.5x2.5x10cm ~32 min

Introduces flat-plane (faceted, not rounded) carving on the standard 1x1x4 block, a distinct style from the rounded figures elsewhere in the library.

Step 2 of 10 Chess Set: Bishop tutorial thumbnail

Chess Set: Bishop

beginner-intermediate 1x1x3in / 2.5x2.5x7.5cm ~35 min

Taller and more tapered than the pawn/rook, practice for cleaner long push cuts.

Step 3 of 10 Chess Set: Knight tutorial thumbnail

Chess Set: Knight

beginner-intermediate 1x1x2in / 2.5x2.5x5cm ~45 min

Part of a full chess set series, most detailed piece to carve of the set, save for after pawns.

Step 4 of 10 Gnome tutorial thumbnail

Gnome

beginner-intermediate 1x1x3in / 2.5x2.5x7.5cm ~50 min

First project with a face, more detail work than bird/whale/fish. Good next step once those feel comfortable.

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

Simple Gnome (Carving is Fun)

beginner-intermediate 1x1x3in / 2.5x2.5x7.5cm ~50 min

Alternative gnome tutorial to the BeaverCraft one above, with its own downloadable template.

Step 6 of 10 Super Easy Wooden Spoon (feather) tutorial thumbnail

Super Easy Wooden Spoon (feather)

beginner-intermediate varies ~60 min

Same hook-knife requirement as the other spoon above, plus a decorative feather handle.

Step 7 of 10 Fellowship of the Gnome: Ranger (Johnny Layton) tutorial thumbnail

Fellowship of the Gnome: Ranger (Johnny Layton)

beginner-intermediate 1x1x4in / 2.5x2.5x10cm ~60 min

A gnome ranger figure with a carved sword on the standard 1x1x4 block, first entry from a new fantasy-figure series.

Step 8 of 10 Carved Spoon tutorial thumbnail

Carved Spoon

beginner-intermediate varies ~75 min

Needs a hook knife for the bowl, not just a straight knife, a new tool to pick up before trying this one.

Step 9 of 10 Old Witch Caricature (Basswood Carving) tutorial thumbnail

Old Witch Caricature (Basswood Carving)

beginner-intermediate 1x1x4in / 2.5x2.5x10cm ~75 min

A Halloween witch caricature on the standard 1x1x4 block, a longer seasonal alternative to the library's quicker Halloween projects.

Step 10 of 10 Chess Board tutorial thumbnail

Chess Board

beginner-intermediate 12x12 board ~90 min

Not a whittling-knife project, flat board work with a v-gouge and paint to finish the chess set series.

See all project journeys → · Browse the full library →