Whittling Magazine 2022

Beginner Guide for First-Time Carvers!

Special Edition by

23 Make a
Classic:
ONE-KNIFE • Angel
• Santa
PROJECTS • Sea Captain
• Spoon
Kick Back
& Carve! PLUS

Simple Soap Awesome
Animal Pirate
Whittle & Paint Seagull
A Family of
Bears

DISPLAY UNTIL DECEMBER 12, 2022

in this issue VOLUME 8 Special Edition by

DEPTS. 75 STARTER GUIDE

4 Editor’s Note 6 Basic Knife Cuts
18 Bookshelf
95 Ad Directory Learn the four types of cuts so you can
96 Woodchips take on any future project
By Staff of Woodcarving Illustrated
COVER
8 Whittling Safety
Beginner Guide for
First Time Carvers ... 6, These basic rules can help
8, 10, 12, 15 prevent injuries
Fish ... 41 By Staff of Woodcarving Illustrated
Simple Soap Animal
... 94 10 Knife Selection
Family of Bears... 91
Angel ... 59 Follow these tips when selecting a
Santa ... 45 whittling knife
Sea Captain ... 25 By Staff of Woodcarving Illustrated
Spoon ... 63
Pirate Seagull ... 67 12 The Basics of Sharpening

2 Whittling Properly prepare your knife for safe
and enjoyable whittling
By Staff of Woodcarving Illustrated

15 Comfortable Carving

Practice these common stretches to
enjoy carving for long periods of time
By Don Swartz

18 Teaching Kids to Whittle

For fun and easy learning, heed

BthyeMseinsdiymKpinlesesyuggestions

FEATURES

20 Hobby Knife Sets to Try

Budget knife sets offer economy and
convenience for beginner carvers
By Kaylee Schofield

82 Wingin’ It

Caricature carver Sara Barraclough
shares how making woodchips has
shaped her life
By Hannah Carroll

SIMPLE WHITTLES AFTERNOON CARVES

30 Heart-in-a-Cage Whimsey 25 Sven the Sailor

Complete this sweet take on a Sail the high seas with this
classic design in just five steps flat-plane character
By Lieve Roelants By James Ray Miller

41 Easy-Carve Magnets 33 Whittling a Spurtle

These simple shapes will add Create a versatile kitchen utensil
personality and charm to your in an afternoon
refrigerator By John Welch
By Parn Aniwat
37 Leaping Fox 72
55 Avocado Pit Cat
Try your hand at carving
Repurpose your food waste into miniatures with a
an elegant piece of jewelry sprightly critter
By Anna Prikazchikova By Steve Tomashek

59 Thoughtful Angel 45 Bundled-Up Santa Ornament WEEKEND PROJECTS

With only basic features, This rosy-cheeked Claus is great 51 Carving a Leaning Figure
this winged whittle is a practice for cutting into corners Learn how to add movement
beginner’s dream By Bob Kozakiewicz to carves with this dynamic
By Roxana Cristean project
48 Whittling a Dragon & Egg
72 Making a Clover Chain By Dave Stetson
A common lighter puts the 67 Scrappy Seagull
Tackle this take on the traditional finishing touches on this Carve a feathered friend (and a
carved chain in just eight steps fiery creature perch for him to stand on) from
By Bjarne Jespersen By Annabell Hellwig one piece of wood

75 Miniature Twig Tree 63 One-Knife Spoon By Dan Riggott
77 Laid-Back Guy
Once you master this whittling Elevate any dinner with a Celtic Remove wood with confidence
technique, the possibilities knot-inspired utensil on this flat-plane piece
are endless By Dave Western
By Chris Lubkemann By Charles Banks
87 Sliding Ball-in-Cage
91 Momma Polar Bear 84 Duck Wheely Toy
and Cub Mastered the basic whimsey?
Take it up a notch with this Enjoy endless fun with this
Practice the basic knife new twist nostalgic heirloom-to-be
cuts as you build a By Bart Hopson
wintry home for By Sara Barraclough
this cute duo
By Tom Hindes Find these free extras at

94 Soap Penguin WOODCARVINGILLUSTRATED.COM
Bonus Pattern Download an extra pattern for
This cool character
makes a great Bart Hopson’s Sliding Ball-in-Cage (page 87).
beginner project
By Janet Bolyard Extra Instructions

45 Find an expanded step-by-step guide to Janet
Bolyard’s Soap Penguin (page 94).

Search for Woodcarving Illustrated 3
on Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram

woodcarvingillustrated.com

Starter Guide

Basic Knife Cuts STOP CUT

Learn the four types of cuts so you As the name suggests, the stop cut is
can take on any future project used to create a hard line at the end of
another cut. Your hand position depends on
By Staff of Woodcarving Illustrated the placement of the cut you need to make.
Regardless of your hand position, simply cut
Like most types of carving (chainsaw, QR CODE straight into the wood to create a stop cut.
ice, stone), whittling is a subtractive TO Stop cuts are used to prevent a consecutive
art—you remove all of the material that cut from extending beyond the intended area,
isn’t part of your vision for the final piece. COME and to free a chip of wood remaining from
For example, to carve a dog, remove all a primary cut.
of the wood that doesn’t contribute to the
shape of the animal. V-SHAPED CUT
Most whittlers use four basic cuts to
remove excess wood: the push cut, the
paring cut, the stop cut, and the V-shaped
cut. Master these four basic types of cuts,
and you’ll be ready to tackle a multitude
of projects.

PUSH CUT PARING CUT

For the push cut, hold the wood in one The paring cut gives you a great deal of To make a V-shaped cut, hold the knife
hand. Hold the knife in your other hand with control but requires you to cut toward the same way you do when making a
the thumb pressing on the back of the blade. your thumb. Wear a thumb protector and paring cut. Anchor the thumb of the knife
Push the knife through the wood, away from be aware of the knife position at all times, hand against the wood, and then cut in at an
your body. This type of cut is also called the especially if it slips beyond the anticipated angle with the tip of the knife. Rotate the wood,
straightaway cut. For additional control or stopping point. To perform the paring cut, anchor your thumb on the other side of the cut,
power, place the thumb of the wood-holding which is also called a draw cut, hold the wood and cut in at an angle, running beside the first
hand on top of the thumb on the blade, and in one hand. Hold the knife in the other hand cut. Angle the two cuts so the deepest parts
then use the wood-holding thumb as a pivot with four fingers. The cutting edge points of the cuts meet in the center. This creates a
while you rotate the wrist of your knife-holding toward your thumb. Rest the thumb of your V-shaped groove. Use the center of the cutting
hand. This maneuver is often called the knife-holding hand on the wood behind the edge to make intersecting angled cuts on the
thumb-pushing cut or lever cut. area you want to carve. Extend the thumb as corner of a blank, creating V-shaped notches.
much as possible. Close your hand, pulling the
knife toward your thumb, to slice through the
wood. This is the same action used to peel (or
pare) potatoes.

6 Whittling

Starter Guide

Teaching Kids
To Whittle

Heed these simple suggestions
for fun and easy learning

By Mindy Kinsey

Whittling is an ideal way to teach kids how to
carve. There’s just one knife, the projects are
usually fairly simple, and the materials are often both
inexpensive and easy to carve. But before you sit down
with a bar of soap, a knife, and a grandkid or two, here
are a few factors to keep in mind and tips to help all of
you enjoy your new shared pastime.

When is a kid old enough to carve? Kids can learn whittling basics by practicing on
The age depends on each child’s maturity, ability to focus, and sweet potatoes. Note: Protective gear should be
hand strength, among other things. Everett Ellenwood, the author
of a number of books about carving, suggests starting kids with a worn any time metal blades are used.
soap-carving project (see page 94).
“How they use the soap-carving tools will give you a good idea like friends, pets, TV, iPads, gaming systems, and phones. These
of how they would handle sharp tools,” said Everett, “If you believe tactics will help the kids focus on carving and, in particular, pay
they can stay focused and have the dexterity to safely use sharp attention to the knife.
tools with your supervision, they should be able to progress to Teach one-on-one whenever possible. If you have a larger
carving some simple wood projects.” group, recruit additional adults to watch the kids and ensure they
Everett recommends carving for children ages 10 and up. are handling their knives safely.
What tools and materials should kids use? What do kids need to know?
As mentioned, Everett Ellenwood starts kids with soap, which is Keep kids engaged by getting to the action as quickly as possible.
also commonly used by the Cub Scouts. Soap is firm without being Review the rules and start practicing the basic cuts (see page 6).
hard, doesn’t have grain, and can be carved with blunt tools. Then show the kids how to transfer a pattern and apply their new
Jim Calder, a carver who has taught thousands of kids, suggests knowledge to a simple project like a soap penguin (page 94), a
using sweet potatoes, which have many of the same qualities as polar bear (page 91), or a simple twig tree (page 75). When you
soap and can be carved with tools ranging from a pocketknife to a switch to using wood instead of soap or a potato, you’ll need to
sharpened craft stick. discuss grain and teach them to identify and carve with the grain.
Once you switch kids to wood, use a fairly soft wood with As your students’ projects become more complex, your lessons
minimal grain, like basswood. Make sure to keep the tools sharp. will naturally follow—everything from protecting their work surface
It may seem counterintuitive, but sharp knives are easier to to cleaning up a carving, sharpening tools, using gouges, and
control, and thus safer than dull blades. See page 12 for advice methods of finishing. With patience, time, and focus, your young
on sharpening. carvers should be able to carve everything in this magazine.
How do you keep kids safe? Can kids compete?
The same rules that apply to adults apply to kids—wear a glove Absolutely! Many local and national-level club competitions
and a thumb guard, push the knife away from your body, keep your include a category for young carvers. Visit our website,
knife sharp, pay attention to where the blade is and where it can woodcarvingillustrated.com, for a calendar listing of carving clubs
go, make a series of smaller cuts rather than trying to cut off a large and events across the country.
hunk of wood, and don’t carve when you’re tired.
In addition, schedule short carving sessions with kids—start
with 15 to 20 minutes and work your way up. Eliminate distractions

woodcarvingillustrated.com 19

Heart-in-a-Cage
Whimsey

Complete this sweet take on a classic CARVING THE WHIMSEY
design in just five steps
1
By Lieve Roelants Score the inside edges of the cage with a knife.
Photography by Mieke Roelants

Whittling tiny whimseys is one of my
favorite ways to pass the time. This
project is my take on the classic ball-in-cage
whimsey you may have carved before. Once you
get the technique down, you can adapt it to make
as many variations as your creativity allows—a
mouse-in-a-cage, pieces of candy, or whatever
else you like!
Getting Started
Cut the blank using a band saw, scroll saw, or
coping saw. Then transfer the pattern to the
blank; I sketched mine on. Note: Always wear
carving gloves and a thumb guard. These photos
were taken without them to clearly show hand
and tool positions.

2 3
Define the cage. Working each side, shape the material Block out the heart. Redraw the shape of the heart, and
inside the cage to resemble a rough cylinder. Follow the stop cuts then use the knife to remove the wood above and below it.
made in Step 1.
30 Whittling

woodcarvingillustrated.com 31

WHITTLING A

Spurtle

Create a versatile
kitchen utensil in
an afternoon

By John Welch

The dictionary defines a
spurtle as a wide wooden
stick with a thin edge for
stirring and scraping porridge
from the side of a pot. I first
became aware of the utensil
while vending at fairs and
hosting open studio events
in my woodshop. I would
occasionally, but persistently,
be told; You should make
spurtles, I can never find
nice ones!
It wasn’t until I received
an email from a woman
looking to buy her elderly
father a replacement spurtle
that I finally made one.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 33

We went back and forth, ROUGHING OUT 1 Rough out the shape. With
making sure that the new a carving knife, begin to round
model would match the one the hollow of the handle, working
he’d had for 60 years. down to the line of the pattern. It is
This design is roughly important to cut from both the top
based on that first spurtle I and bottom equally to mitigate any
made for her, and I can attest potential splitting down the grain.
to its usefulness for oatmeal, The alternating cuts will reduce
grits, risotto, and more! The the splitting to the material being
design is easily adaptable and removed alone. Only carve the two
can be made longer if you sides; avoid the front and back for
wish to use a deeper pot. now. Working one plane at a time,
Getting Started bring the end of the handle down
Begin with a 3/4" (1.9cm)-thick to the line of the pattern.
blank measuring at least
11/2" x 9" (3.8cm x 22.9cm).
Sketch on the pattern or
attach it with spray adhesive.

2 Mark a centerline around the 3 Round the handle. The end of the 4 Rough shape the blade. Using
entire piece. This can be done with a set handle should currently have four corners. long, controlled pull strokes, remove
of dividers, but for the accuracy needed If you make flat cuts/chamfers on those the bulk of the material from the blade
in this project, a rough center can be four corners, you will have eight corners. portion of the spurtle. It is important at
approximated by locking your fingers Remove those with as even chamfers as this stage to pay attention to the grain, as
into position, trusting your eye to find possible to make 16 corners, etc. Continue it is very easy to catch the grain the wrong
the center, and then moving your wrist to cutting in this manor to work toward an way and split off more than intended.
draw the line. Creating a centerline makes evenly round handle. Also, pay attention to your centerline. The
it easier to remove material evenly and final thickness of the blade will be about
eliminate unintentional curves. 1/4" (6mm), so aim for a little more than
34 Whittling 1/8" (3mm) on each side of the centerline.

Leaping Fox

Try your hand at carving
miniatures with a sprightly critter

By Steve Tomashek

The fox is synonymous with being cleverness and Variation
attractiveness—a chicken or a mouse might think
otherwise. Having diverged from the wolf lineage ten million Because of its canine ancestry, the fox pattern
years earlier than dogs to terrorize tiny critters, the fox is is perfectly adaptable into a wolf. Just make
neither canine nor feline, but it exhibits characteristics of both. the nose and tail of the wolf longer and a little
Inhabiting a disproportionate number of fables and fairy tales less pointy than on the fox.
around the world, the fox is nearly always the smart one.
This project design, with its skinny toothpick legs and Steve Tomashek lives with his wife,
leaping dynamic, has the feel of happy-go-lucky joy. When daughter, and a menagerie of farm
combined with another animal carving of the same style, you animals in a tiny village in the state of
could create a simple diorama using a piece of branch as a base. Thuringia, Germany. Prior to moving
from the US in 2011, Steve sold his
Getting Started artworks at art fairs and galleries in the
Transfer the pattern (without legs) Midwest and along the East Coast. Find
to the wood with a pencil. Use a him on YouTube at Steve Tomashek.
knife to remove the figure from
the blank. Use paring or push
cuts under the tail, and then form
the curvature of the underside of
the tail through repeated knife
strokes. Use V-cuts to remove
material above the tail and behind
the ears. Continue until you’ve
reached the boundary with the top
of the body. Leave extra material,
especially around the base of the tail, to be removed later. Until
then, you can use the tail as a holding point.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 37

Easy-Carve
Magnets

Add
personality
and charm
to your
refrigerator
with these
simple shapes

By Parn Aniwat

As far as kitchen appliances go, Parn Aniwat is a carver from Thailand,
refrigerators are pretty important. based in Texas. He specializes in whimsical,
Mine displays a picture of my family, attached by a colorful designs featuring animals, people,
souvenir magnet. After seeing it so many times, I fantasy characters, and everyday objects with
thought to myself, Why not make my own magnet? So, anthropomorphic qualities. Find more of his work
I came up with a design—and threw in three more for on Instagram @wood.youmind.
good measure. They are simple and fun to make.
Getting Started
Transfer the pattern to a 1/2" (1.3cm)-thick piece of
basswood with your method of choice; I prefer to
sketch mine on by hand. Cut out the shape on a scroll
saw or band saw.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 41

Bundled-Up

SANTA ORNAMENT

This rosy-cheeked Claus is great
practice for cutting into corners

By Bob Kozakiewicz

Santa ornaments are fun to carve and always look delightful on the
tree. The simplicity of this project makes it achievable for carvers
of all skill levels. Carve a bunch for your family and friends. Customize
the design as you see fit; you could add earmuffs or a corncob pipe. In
just a few hours, you’ll have a charming decoration to hang on the tree
or to gift to everyone on your list!

Getting Started
Mark the major landmarks. It is not necessary to transfer the pattern
onto the blank; use the pattern as a reference. With a pencil, make
a mark on the front corner of the blank, 11/8" (2.9cm) up from the
bottom. Then make a mark 3/8" (1cm) above the line you just drew.
These lines designate the location of the nose. Establish the location
of the hat brim. Make a line 17/8" (4.8cm) down from the top of the
blank. Measure 5/8" (1.6cm) above the line you just drew and make a
mark. On the two side corners and the back corner, mark 2" (5.1cm)
down from the top. Add a line 5/8" (1.6cm) above. Then connect all the
lines around the blank for the hat brim.
Make sure your tools are sharp before you begin carving.
Keep them sharp as you go with periodic stropping.

Note: Always wear a carving glove and thumb guard. The photos were
taken without them to clearly show hand and knife positions.

ROUGHING OUT 1 2
Rough shape Refine the
the hat. Use a hat. Use the knife to
rough out knife to knock off the corners
turn the hat brim of the hat brim and
lines into deep stop round it. Taper the
cuts. Remove wood hat so it looks like it
above and below the sits just inside the hat
hat brim by carving brim. Then make a
into the stop cuts. stop cut around the
Round the top of the top of the hat, and
hat and bring it to a round the area into a
cylindrical shape. large pom-pom.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 45

WHITTLING A

Dragon & Egg

A common lighter puts the finishing
touches on this fiery creature

By Annabell Hellwig

I’m deeply fascinated by dragons, as they look different Annabell Hellwig has
depending on which folklore you read. With a dragon, there been carving for over
is hardly any right or wrong, hardly any “but it has to look like three years. She grew
this”—so I gave myself room to play with the form. I had a small up in Seiffen, a small yet
scrap of wood on hand and was looking for a motif to adapt to famous town in Eastern
its shape and the result was a dragon clutching an egg. I finished Germany where traditional
the creature with a lighter to make it stand out from the egg, as wooden Christmas
well as reference the flames we typically associate with dragons. decorations and wooden toys are made. One
Note: Always wear a carving glove and thumb guard. The day, Annabell’s mother asked if she could
photos were taken without them to clearly show hand and help craft wooden deer for her traditional
knife positions. Christmas pyramids (decorative candle arches
Getting Started that incorporate small animals and trees).
Saw the wood to the correct size. I used a compact Japanese She has been carving ever since. Find her on
saw, but you could use a pruning saw or scroll saw. If using the Instagram @woodenescape.
former, make sure to secure the wood in a vise before cutting.

48 Whittling

Carving a
Leaning
Figure

Learn how to add movement to
carves with this dynamic project

By Dave Stetson

Over the years, I’ve worked to add
movement to my figures. That usually
meant extending arms and lifting legs. One
morning, while observing a breakfast club
at a fast food restaurant, I noticed how older
gentlemen standing in conversation would
seem to have their feet stuck to the floor
when they turned to speak to one another.
Hence the inspiration for this figure, which
is slightly turned and leaning.
Getting Started
Sketch the pattern views on the wood, with
the grain running vertically. Then cut the
front view on a band saw. After cutting the
front view, reattach the waste pieces with a
few beads of glue from a hot glue gun. It’ll be
easier to cut the side view with a re-formed
square blank. Cut the side view, and then
discard the waste.

Dave Stetson is a co-creator
and founding member of the
Caricature Carvers of America
(CCA). He teaches seminars
around the country with his
wife, Michele. Dave is the
author of Caricature Carving
from Head to Toe, available from Fox Chapel
Publishing, foxchapelpublishing.com.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 51

Leaning Figure Patterns

12 Define the clothing details. Make a stop cut at the © 2022 Woodcarving Illustrated
front edge of the right ear. Trim the side of the face by carving
into the cut. Using the lines drawn in Step 10 as guides, create
a shelf for the eyes and shape the nose. Form the mouth area
by carving up to the nose. Turn the lines drawn for the front
of the jacket into stop cuts. Carve into the cuts and lower the
material between them, making the jacket appear to overlap
the body. Then set the pockets. Mark the belt in line with the
elbows; since he is an older gentleman, he’ll be wearing his
pants high. Separate the legs, and then shape the shoes.

Finishing
Clean up your cuts. Carve a slight slope in the base to
emphasize the lean to the left. Apply boiled linseed oil to
the entire piece and let dry completely. Note: Dispose of
any oil-soaked paper towels and rags appropriately as they
can spontaneously combust.

materials & tools

MATERIALS TOOLS

• B asswood, 15/8" (4.1cm) thick: 2" x 5" • Band saw
(5.1cm x 12.7cm)
• Carving knife
• Pen or pencil
• Hot glue gun
• Glue: hot glue sticks
• Boiled linseed oil The author used these products for the project. Substitute
your choice of brands, tools, and materials as desired.

13 Add the finishing touches. Add a collar for the shirt and WANT MORE FROM DAVE?
a lapel for the jacket. Carve a shirt button and the belt. Finish Caricature Carving from Head to Toe
shaping the hat brim so that it curves upward. Set the inside
corners of the eyes with a small V-cut. Set the mouth. Finish By Dave Stetson
shaping the cheeks and create the nasolabial folds. Round the Item 1214. Available for $19.95 + S&H (parcel post) from
ears, and then hollow them out with a V-cut. Mark the eyes Fox Chapel Publishing, FoxChapelPublishing.com,
with the pen or pencil. 800-457-9112, or your local retailer.

54 Whittling

Avocado © 2022 Woodcarving Illustrated
Pit Cat

Repurpose your food waste into
an elegant piece of jewelry

By Anna Prikazchikova

This little feline is carved from an
avocado pit, which is a fun challenge
for both the beginner and the experienced
carver. Since pits come in many different
shapes and sizes, feel free to adjust the
provided pattern accordingly to match
your ‘canvas.’ I’ll show you how to easily
turn the project into a pendant, but if you
are working with a particularly small pit or
don’t feel confident making a hole in your
finished carving, you can always treat it as a
miniature sculpture. Simply run the bottom
of the figurine on a piece of sandpaper a few
times to flatten it, and then place your tiny
creation on a bookshelf, your car dashboard,
or in a doll house! Note: Always wear a
carving glove and thumb guard. The photos
were taken without them to clearly show
hand and knife positions.
Getting Started
Prepare the blank. Remove the pit from
the avocado. Let it sit for a few days (see
Drying Out Tip, page 58). Peel off the thin
brown layer of shell and find the seam that
divides the pit in half. Separate the halves
by inserting your blade in the seam and
twisting the knife. Once there is a gap, you
can open the pit with your fingers. For this
project, we will only use one of the pit halves.

Avocado Pit
Cat Pattern

woodcarvingillustrated.com 55

Thoughtful Angel

With only basic features, this winged
whittle is a beginner’s dream

By Roxana Cristean

Iwas inspired to create this angel after Getting Started
seeing a Nativity scene in my hometown With a pencil, draw a vertical centerline down each side of the
last Christmas. I wanted to incorporate the blank. On the top of the blank, draw vertical and horizontal
minimalist Waldorf style into the carving centerlines that intersect in the middle. Then divide the front of
as well; thus, it has understated features. the blank into three sections by drawing two horizontal lines.
Nonetheless, you can use it to convey a lot Make the first line 13/16" (3cm) down from the top of the blank
of emotion. Adapt this carving by painting and the second one 13/16" (3cm) down from the line you just
it in different styles or patterns, or turn drew. Extend the horizontal lines to each side of the blank, and
her into a guardian angel to be displayed then use them as guides to sketch on the pattern.
all year round.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 59

One-Knife
Spoon

Elevate any dinner with a
Celtic knot-inspired utensil

By Dave Western

Inspired by Jon Mac’s greenwood one-knife Beginners might like to carve this spoon from a
‘Bushcraft Spoon’ in the book 12 Spoons, 2 Bowls, 3/8" (1cm)-thick blank to make things simple, but those
and a Knife, I wondered if it was possible to adapt the with a bit of experience may prefer to carve from a
idea to work for one of my designs. Because I made the 3/4" (1.9cm)-thick blank to enable a bit of crank on the
bowl a bit more egg-shaped and much smaller in width spoon’s stem.
than Jon’s, I was able to simply cut in from either side Getting Started
toward a centerline. This meant I was able to carve the Transfer the pattern to the blank. You can trace it
entire spoon with just a small straight-bladed knife. on with graphite paper and a pencil or sketch it on
The shape of the spoon’s handle is easy to carve, and freehand. I like to glue a copy of the pattern onto the
you can complete the Celtic knot decoration with basic wood, as it keeps the image crisp while I carve.
chip carving techniques. It’s a fairly straightforward
project that can be made as fancy or simple as you like.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 63

Scrappy
Seagull

Carve a feathered friend (and a
perch for him to stand on) from
one piece of wood

By Dan Riggott

Seagulls are noisy little beggars. But
having lived by the coast all my life, I
must admit to a certain fondness for them.
The seaside wouldn’t be the same without
their unending antics! So, here’s my silly
little take on these maligned individuals.
I encourage you to use the pattern as a rough
guide. I love the spontaneity that carving
offers (I only came up with the idea of adding
an eye patch as the project progressed). So,
if you want to make the beak shorter or the
feet longer, go right ahead. Why not add a
pirate-style bandana, or maybe a peg leg?
Have fun with it!
Getting Started
Transfer the pattern to the blank with your
method of choice; I glued mine on. You’ll
carve the piece from one block of wood, so
keep the excess wood beneath the bird. It
can be used as a handle to hold the piece
while you carve. Eventually, the excess
will be turned into rocks for the bird to
perch on.
Trim the blank to the pattern lines. I
used a knife, but you could use a band saw,
scroll saw, or coping saw. Keep the legs
thick for now, leaving a little extra wood in
front and behind. This will make them less
vulnerable to snapping during the carving
process. Make sure your knife is as sharp as
possible, and strop regularly.
Note: Always wear a carving glove and
thumb guard. These photos were taken
without them to clearly show hand and
tool positions.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 67

Laid-Back Guy

Remove wood with confidence on this
flat-plane piece

By Charles Banks

This character’s posture reflects a laid-back attitude—
one we should all aim for sometimes! Unlike many
of my other pieces, this carving was not intended to be
freestanding; I intentionally designed him to lean against
something when finished. The removal of waste material,
the facial features, and the painting of the sweater design
are the most challenging parts of the piece, which makes
it great practice for
techniques often found
in flat-plane carving.
Remember, it can be
fun to change certain
features to suit your
own interpretation!

Getting Started
Trace the front view
pattern on the blank,
with the grain running
vertically. Cut the view
on a band saw.

TIPS
REFERENCE PHOTOS
This sweater was inspired by the Marius, an iconic Norwegian
design often found on knitted wear. For added realism in the
clothing folds, look online for photos of this design, especially
pictures of the sweater worn on people. You will be able to see
how the pattern lays across the character, where you would
find folds around the elbows and waist in real life, etc.
ONE-TOOL PROFICIENCY
The entirety of this carving was completed with a 17/8"
(48mm) straight carving knife in the tradition of the
Scandinavian flat-plane style, which emphasizes one-tool
proficiency. Resist the urge to over-carve; use simple push and
pull cuts, V-cuts for detail and separation of subjects, and a
few chip cuts for the facial features. Less is more!

woodcarvingillustrated.com 77

Wingin’ It

Caricature carver Sara
Barraclough shares how
making woodchips has
shaped her life

By Hannah Carroll

It’s 109°F in southern Utah. Most people are inside,
riding out the heat wave. Not Sara Barraclough.
She has a project to finish, so she’s setting up shop
behind her house in a blow-up pool, transforming
boogie boards into floating desks for her tools. Sara
understands that life doesn’t always give you ideal
conditions. Sometimes, you just have to dive in and
make do. That’s what happened when she discovered
woodcarving five years ago. She needed a hobby to get
her through a hard time. While making woodchips,
Sara homed in on her own unique style and found
freedom in the ‘silliness’ of her craft. Since then, she
has published two books—Learn
to Carve Gnomes, Trolls, and
Mythical Creatures, and
Quick Whittles—a project
booklet and numerous
articles, and enjoys
helping others on their
own carving journeys.
As Sara says in her
latest book, “Enjoy
the process, and
when you hit a
roadblock…just
wing it.”

Sara’s daughter WANT MORE FROM SARA?
Aurora is always Learn to Carve Gnomes, Trolls,
around during the and Mythical Creatures
creative process—
and is sometimes By Sara Barraclough
the subject.
Item 01128. Available for $14.99 + S&H (parcel post) from
82 Whittling Fox Chapel Publishing, FoxChapelPublishing.com,
800-457-9112, or your local retailer.

Duck Wheely Toy

Enjoy endless fun with this nostalgic heirloom-to-be

By Sara Barraclough

Ashort time after I carved a ladybug wheely, I was at the
park with my daughter feeding ducks...and just like that, a
little duck wheely made its way onto my to-do list. Ducks crack me
up; they always lend themselves to quirky and fun projects.
Getting Started
Transfer the pattern to your block and carve the basic shape. Drill
the axle holes. The distance between the two drilled holes should
be 11/2" (3.8cm). The holes should be 1/4" (6mm) up from the bottom
of the blank. Practice drilling on a scrap piece of wood prior to
drilling into your project piece. These steps are important; if
one of the holes is off just slightly, the wheelie will sit unevenly
on the surface and only three of the wheels will spin.
To see more of Sara's work, check out her feature article on page 82.

Sara Barraclough lives in Southern Utah with her daughter.
She started carving about four years ago to carry on her
great-grandpa and great-great-grandpa’s carving legacy (they
were Scandinavian-style master carvers). Find her on Etsy and
Instagram @theclevercarver.

ROUGHING OUT

1 Shape the body. Use a pencil to 2 Round the top of the head. The 3 Round the back of the head and
draw a centerline down the entirety of the width of the bill should match the width of the bottom. Use the rough out knife
blank. Use a rough out knife to bring in the head—you’ll want that to be the widest to shape the back of the head and the
the neck area, round the head and back, part of the duck. Remove the material to bottom with the same warning regarding
and then taper the bottom so that the tail round the front body, being mindful of the the two back holes: do not remove too
comes to a point at the back. Work evenly drilled holes. Leave as much material in much too close.
from both sides of the duck, carving front of each hole as possible.
toward the centerline.
84 Whittling

Sliding
Ball-in-
Cage

Mastered the
basic whimsey?
Take it up a notch
with this new twist

By Bart Hopson

This project adds a little more complexity to the sketch on the patterns whether or not your block fits
standard ball-in-cage carving, with independent the noted dimensions.
two-bar cages sliding against each other and capturing If sketching, on sides A and C (any two sides can
the ball in between. Although it still utilizes all the be A and C, as long as they are opposite each other),
basic elements of the classic design, my pattern is draw horizontal lines 11/2" (2.5cm) in from either end.
perfect for those who want to challenge themselves Then draw a circle at the center that is the exact width
even more. of the blank. Connect the two horizontal lines at
Getting Started either end with vertical lines about 1/4" (6mm) in from
Just as with a standard ball-in-cage, I start with square either side, covering a portion of the ball you just drew
stock, and the length is typically determined by what (Figure 1). Then draw two lines at 1/2" (1.3cm) and 1"
I have in the scrap bin. For this project, I selected a (2.5cm) in from both ends (Figure 2). Extend the lines
6" (15.2cm) piece of 11/2" (3.8cm)-square pine, so the to the edge of one side, and then do the same for the
length is four times the width. The length should be opposite side on the other end (Figure 3).
enough that you can make all cuts comfortably with Add the final layout lines, shown in red on the
your knife of choice. drawing (Figure 4). The red lines indicate the critical
There are two ways to prepare the blank: 1) If you cuts that free the two cages from each other; I typically
have a block that fits the exact needed dimensions, leave them for last. Draw shaded areas to represent the
you can apply View 1 and View 2 (see page 90) directly parts to be removed. Follow the same method to draw
on the blank. You’ll need to make two copies of each. pattern lines on sides B and D, with one difference:
2) The other option is to sketch on the patterns, as extend the horizontal lines to the opposite sides in
shown in Figures 1-4 (see page 89). Sides A-D below Figures 3 and 4.
the figures are for your reference; the grey shaded Note: Always wear a carving glove and thumb
areas represent the material you will remove. You can guard. The photos were taken without them to clearly
show hand and knife positions.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 87

Momma
Polar Bear
and Cub

Practice the basic
knife cuts as you
build a wintry home
for this cute duo

By Tom Hindes

After I finished carving this polar bear, I decided lines for the neck, legs, and tail on both sides of the
that I had to whittle her a cub. Polar bears spend blank, and then draw a centerline along the edges. As
nearly all of their lives on ice floes and snow-covered you work, use the centerline as a reference and try to
lands. Sometimes, when the mother polar bear has to make the same cuts on each side of the blank. One side
swim to find food, the cub rides on her back. should mirror the other.
These carvings can be a stand-alone project, but I Note: Always wear a carving glove; these photos
suggest you create an arctic scene for momma and cub. were taken without one to clearly show hand and knife
To complete the project, you’ll only need to use stop positions.
cuts, thumb-assisted push cuts, and paring cuts. This
is an ideal project for the new beginning wood carver. Tom Hindes started whittling and carving in
The only wood carving tool necessary if a sharp knife. the early 2000s. Now retired from a career in
Getting Started technical training development at Ohio State
Using your method of choice, transfer the pattern University, Tom lives in Port St. Joe, Fla. He
onto a piece of 1" (2.5cm)-thick basswood, with the carves Noah’s arks, Christmas ornaments,
grain running from nose to tail. Cut the perimeter wizards, and gnomes. He is the author of
with a band saw, scroll saw, or coping saw. Draw detail Whittling in Your Free Time and 20-Minute
Whittling, both available from Fox Chapel Publishing.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 91

Soap
Penguin

This cool character makes a
great beginner project

By Janet Bolyard

ON THE Find step-by-step photos for Here’s a good project to introduce you to
caricature-style carving. This aquatic bird will
WEB this project on our website. look adorable near a bath, sink, or shelf—even on
woodcarvingillustrated.com a windowsill.
94 Whittling Center the pattern on a bar of soap. Hold it steady
as you rough out the design with a marking tool. With
a knife, turn the outer lines of the pattern into stop
cuts, and then cut away the excess soap. Make a stop
cut on the bottom of the hat’s pom-pom. Cut along
the bottom of the stop cut at a 45° angle. This creates a
shadow. The broader the angle, the deeper the shadow
will be, and the more dimension the carving will have.
Continue working in this manner until your penguin is
complete. To build the base, center the penguin on top
of a second bar of soap and outline around the bottom.
Stop-cut along the outline, and then use a chisel to
make a hole for him to fit snugly in.

Soap materials & tools
Penguin
Pattern MATERIALS TOOLS

• Ivory soap, 2 each • Knife: detail

• Water • Marking tool of choice

• Acrylic paints: assorted • Small gouge

The author used these products for the • Chisel
project. Substitute your choice of brands, • Paintbrushes: assorted

tools, and materials as desired.

FURTHER READING complete guide to soap carving Soap Carvin
FBCItoeyoxmCJm9ha2an1pp0ee.lltAPeBvutaboeillilasyhbGalienrugfdo,irFdo$1xeC6h.9ta9op+elSPgSouo&obHdalics(lphpeiaanrnCgcef.caulonpmr!ovs, t)infrogm•••acl•LCtaEnEhffeBtestRsorVsfdxie2fecbarpoocatoiDrEcp6EhaomoromsamahrAaecncIRnmimstpSpcanhbarTolhiYtictqsrledCsiefsErpieTacviqenaaueporcvmOrhrHitBdutubea-lenvJipruobmaIvVeEsnhplaogiNeptnoynistAlceed,Efcreth,e-GgsoeefnuecsuU—RiietbtdrkantnsrutccYT&eeeeiBreactgbTctcvpgIOvicseaoclFoaecHsuiahitpcrUUnlrpnrnooniyngdoEvascgrnpyLauadeitfmNioaqesonhtFrkriiStjEndrsupdepiufgeItsss.ONoEoecreslrtoptcCieer.tDhsAisEtaesacrp,FooheboPt—ralpTamruhaAieevtrescrOCbeancdgfoipoiRlardadnitoAiluoteaanKaTereuwrgRnpfmtvrnanNs,ertdOVi-istdeieln2oOeosG,l,IrFgN6tneasWrusaep-CGasiasldtnTiASy-teeeroOdp!Roftt,o-hopaVbcanelSayIenNor-fiavsdiadGrgtiplneenuiapn,CSgrlisgaOp“niopnr“JcresavrAoaWasoaiptrnPjnhcaatvehgtceoApenciiwaanUtctsdgrctrsTehiBgovaHteastoohmiuOrtthoCnovwglRnaOyatpegiorAhNdsnatdehb—NlGiir,ggyasisiDasTdRusauotH—rEaaItNnmSiEu.binVmadTScd.CEo$EndaeeAR(.o1RoIdvteWNR6INhmnyeSkVevOC.AoBasdg!E9reN)TaNRtsyu9sAnI.aOSTDk:tWt.d9Ur’NEhihtc7CAttPn.hAoS8ihhAaORcLIn-gnrU|tD1MieiaoW$g-peWh5bPsWryu2OA6ov,yaamcI15oONNgiaos2as.nDINuh93OiupruC-iEcg9nNv9ncARa2fgincChRsall1nVuole-Apew0tEgrwtemiNoR.sradc’.eeSP|yparrWd£t”orjrso1ooo.wmo2rjmg.eod9ececod”9atttrcsRsevatRriaranPvrngtiUnegKdeg, TechnTiqouoelss,,
Janet Bolyard and Tips
51699 scooasnpkidcl“leasJnra.vc.inen.egabtnetBodaoubtletyuiaafiulrcddlhwbutehsogeeriksnb!na”esircs’
—DO MAGAZINE
800-457-9112, or your local retailer. 9 781565 239210

56523-921-0 Complete Book of Soap Carving - Jacket P1.indd All Pages
© 2022 Woodcarving Illustrated Janet Bolyard
EAN
6/6/18 2:49 PM

Janet Bolyard has been woodcarving since age 18 and has turned
her hobby into a profession. She resides in Lakeside, AZ., enjoying
retirement and creating, a wide selection of carvings from
consignment,antique restoration, and for her family. Find more of
Janet’s work at janetleecarving.com.