How to Whittle a Gnome - Step By Step Beginner Wood Carving Project

Рет қаралды 84,112

2 жыл бұрын

In this step-by-step whittling guide, I will show you how to carve a simple and easy gnome out of a block of wood! This is a perfect project for someone new to whittling and want an easy sculpture to start their carving adventure.
Downloadable Template can be found here: carvingisfun.com/gnome/
If you are looking to get started, check out my Amazon page to find some great starter kits!
www.amazon.com/shop/carvingisfun
What you will need:
1" x 1" x 3" block of basswood (2.5 cm x 2.5cm x 7.5cm)
Your preferred whittling knife (sharpened)
Pencil
Protective gloves and/or finger guards
If you want to give me a gift as a thank you, you can send me some Pokemon cards! I've been collecting them since they came out and always enjoy getting new cards! You can use my Amazon Wish List to send me a booster pack or two :) www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls...
If you want to send me an individual card I'm missing, check out this page to see what I'm missing:
carvingisfun.com/wish-list/

Пікірлер: 158

@SM-cs2my 2 жыл бұрын

i think you are like the bob ross of whittling. now i can make my own happy little gnome :)

@DanManHfx 2 жыл бұрын

I've been whittling since I was 3, yes, that's when my Dad convinced my Mom it was ok to give me a tiny pen-knife. I've always struggled with doing the basic layout on the wood. I love your simple easy to follow tutorials. Especially liked that you put measurements in this one.

@tonyjoe5707 Ай бұрын

I'm still a relative beginner to carving and found this great to follow. A nice pace and the thumbnail in the corner is a great idea.

@emmagrey5739 Жыл бұрын

I love these things they inspired me to make them and stick'em around my friends house

@Brixish00 2 жыл бұрын

This is awesome, I think this is the first tutorial you did without an animal

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

Yeppers! to be honest, I like the animals better. People's are kinda boring to me.

@Dayrell-sr9tj 2 жыл бұрын

Damn dude. My family collects garden gnomes. No farce. I was talking with my brother that it'd be neat to whittle a gnome for them. Now I'm seeing this video. Don't know if I should be happy or scared.

@grumpyoldman9805 9 ай бұрын

The photo on your videos make it so much easier to follow than others, thanks I’ve just made my best one yet

@Tomauru 2 жыл бұрын

Never whittled before and I have no idea how I found your videos, but they are so relaxing to watch. One day I'm going to try it thanks to you, great job

@HandyHelons 2 жыл бұрын

Oh I just love it! Just moved into a house that has a super whimsical garden with little sculptures and gems and all kinds of ornaments. I would love the odd Gnome poking his head out here and there. And maybe a couple of the potato headed Harry Potter style Gnomes trying to talk to one of these 😂

@eechenglee1369 2 жыл бұрын

Reminds me of this little mobile game called Tsuki Odyssey, there's a character who works the night shift at a store and she loves to whittle gnomes! She once made a gnome lamp that she calls a gnamp :D

@toohottohandle0_0 Жыл бұрын

Ooooh yes!!!! I recently started playing that game and was super excited when I saw that dialogue for the first time!

@MariaMartinez-jb3zn 2 жыл бұрын

This is a new hobby so I’m gonna take my time and put this project on repeat…safety first says my military mind. You’re the most fun and with clear instructions and templates..🙏🏽😳☝🏽👍🏽🙋🏻‍♀️Mia

@garybacongrease 2 жыл бұрын

I’m so glad I found this channel

@drumblebee 2 жыл бұрын

you inspired me to take the leap and buy my first knife and block of basswood! thank you for making whittling look so soothing and fun

@forrestpryor1821 2 жыл бұрын

It's bs I got fucking woodchips everywhere

@edday3194 2 жыл бұрын

Been working my way through your tutorials, they're fantastic. The 'stage' information on the left is so useful when I'm trying something for the first time and is a great USP for your channel.

@mrkingsudo 5 ай бұрын

This was my second carving project, and it was honestly a great second project cuz of the tip carving you have to do. My first was the whittle fox that you also posted. It ended up being a 3 legged squirrel due to a mishap with an ear and a leg lol, but it looks great. Thank you for these awesome videos!

@themainman2827 2 жыл бұрын

Finally, the day has come.

@davidmanen5495 3 ай бұрын

Fantastic job! Thank you

@pee1167 2 жыл бұрын

Ciao! I'm glad I found your channel! Even though I don't have access to the tools needed for whittling, I really enjoy watching your videos. They are very calming and relaxing. I hope I will be able to whittle a gnome myself one day!

@Playlist8495 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your Tutorials. You are my personal Bob Ross for Carving

@user-qh1oe5hx3e 2 жыл бұрын

thanks for the video. I'm cutting out a paladin now. After him I will make a dwarf

@semennyukov7146 2 жыл бұрын

Hello! May you share photos of your works? I started to carve recently ,and I have no person with who I can talk about it expecially with russian-speaking.

@user-qh1oe5hx3e 2 жыл бұрын

I'm from Ukraine and where to post a photo?

@semennyukov7146 2 жыл бұрын

@@user-qh1oe5hx3e do you have a VK or Discord account? I see that you from Ukraine, but I think that most part of your folk know Russian.

@user-qh1oe5hx3e 2 жыл бұрын

@@semennyukov7146 I have a discord but I do not think that Russia and Ukraine are fraternal peoples

@StephRenee812 2 жыл бұрын

A couple years ago, I wanted to carve something in a log. I didn't know what. I didn't have tools.. When i want make something, i want to make it now.. So, I had a flat head screwdriver and had my hubby sharpen it. He thought I was crazy.. 😁 I carved a man's face.. not sure who it is or why I did it.. but i love it. I then got Dremel and touched it up a bit. I wish I would had not used the Dremel.. Not sure what wood kind of wood it was, just a log in my back yard... thank you for all you share.. I just ordered my tools... so i can learn..

@150carrots5 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for another amazing tutorial. I find that yours are the best to follow, especially since you include the photo on the side. I always look forward to seeing your new step by step projects! Keep up the amazing work!

@martinohagan196 Жыл бұрын

A really fun little whittle. These videos are so easy to follow, with the stills on the left being an extra helpful guide.

@user-vg1jb5mt1u 5 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for this tutorial. Appreciate you providing measurements in mm. Very helpful!

@whittler0507 2 жыл бұрын

Brian ..wonderful video ...very nice teaching and carving .....Thank you for helping carvers

@stuartpetrie-tootell4287 5 ай бұрын

I’ve just had a go at this, my 2nd ever carving project, loved the video, thanks.

@Luis-fh4tf 2 жыл бұрын

The template really turned out great on this one👍

@julian.3810 2 жыл бұрын

Great tutorial and nice details.

@harrkapupu 2 жыл бұрын

Just about to start whittling with a poor knife and a piece of wood I found in our woodshed😅 but you inspired me so thank you!

@kamoroso94 Жыл бұрын

These tutorials are great! I just finished my gnome following along with this video.

@BrianAchart Жыл бұрын

I've just finished doing this project in balsa wood. It came out really good thanks to this great tutorial! If somebody else is also trying to do it in balsa wood, my only recommendation is (something I've read on your website) to use a really sharp knife and to do a slicing motion when cutting.

@foox6101 Жыл бұрын

I want to make this for my teacher, I’m leaving the school next year so I’ll make something the my fave teachers will remember even if they don’t like me 💀 😂

@jamessproule1042 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Brian I appreciate all your efforts Videos are awesome!

@henryparsons3078 5 ай бұрын

Loving your videos, thank you. Can you do a video on using rounded branches/logs and how we might be best to mark out the drawings. I’ve cut down some trees around the house and kept some branches that are 1-3” thick

@CarvingisFun 5 ай бұрын

I really want to, but most of my branches here in Florida arent really great for that. Most are rotting, others are way too hard, then others are sappy. Its one of those things im working on figuring out myself.

@bobkrause0103 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, thank you. I’m new to woodcarving. Your great!! Learning a lot from you. Bob

@marsimo3903 2 жыл бұрын

This is amazing! Im gonna try this in the next few days. Thank you

@westbsa7424 Жыл бұрын

@TheLittlehopeful 2 жыл бұрын

Perfect timing! I have the day off and as it is warming up I was planning on sitting outside to whittle and was trying to decide what I should make next. 😊

@TheLittlehopeful 2 жыл бұрын

Update: Gnome success!!! I even had time to make a "whittle" bunny from your other tutorial. :) Thank you very much for the afternoon fun! I made them with my Flexcut Pocket Jack that came in today (got it on super sale!), and I love it! Your Flexcut pocket knives video was SUPER helpful. I may consider asking for the Whittlin' or Tri-Jack for my birthday later this year. ;)

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

A new knife and a fun little whittling project or two sounds like a wonderful afternoon to me!!

@anvannoord Жыл бұрын

very cool

@KettleCamping Жыл бұрын

You explain very well! Thank you! 👍

@griasdig 2 жыл бұрын

Wow it looks great

@markelder5101 Жыл бұрын

Very nice video, I particularly like the side image that you have while carving

@rafaelsanmillan7655 2 жыл бұрын

Buen video y muy bien explicado, buen trabajo y muchas gracias.

@necrozzz1874 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot fot these amazing tutorials!

@WhittlingWoods 2 жыл бұрын

Fun video Brian!! I enjoy whittling these type of projects. 👍✌

@raigeahv 2 жыл бұрын

You made me start whittling youre a cool guy keep on makeing this cool content!

@zetascorpii49 2 жыл бұрын

I like this

@vyletnik4351 2 жыл бұрын

awesome video love ur stuff keep uploading more tutorials

@rigohook1160 Жыл бұрын

That was fun! Long time no doing that. Got yourself a subscriber.

@ZakariyaMissoum 2 жыл бұрын

Much more easier and fun tutorial. better then doug linker's one tysm :)

@tomevans4402 2 жыл бұрын

Cool, love it. My have time today, thanks

@nicolabuccini7141 2 жыл бұрын

Ciao, thanks for sharing it and for the clear explanations! I just bought my first whittling kit and look forward to start with this gnome project next weekend.

@toohottohandle0_0 Жыл бұрын

How'd it turn out? I finally decided to "splurge" for a whittling kit, can't wait for it to arrive!

@nicola_3viso Жыл бұрын

@@toohottohandle0_0 Didn't end well 🤣; my son says it looks like a gnome but he has a lot of fantasy, lol. Enjoy whittling!

@toohottohandle0_0 Жыл бұрын

@@nicola_3viso Well at least someone appreciates it 😆 Mine is either an ice cream cone or an abstract piece of art (thanks Dad 🙄) depending on who you ask. I'm just gonna pretend it's because gnomes aren't quite as common in our country lol

@woodcarver 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you👍👍👍

@andrejurekovic8158 2 жыл бұрын

Love your video, great work :)

@domedgington6964 2 жыл бұрын

You should do a whittling video with a Stanley knife as a challenge! Would be good seeing you try it with a different style of blade

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

I could give it a shot :)

@QSOutdoors 2 жыл бұрын

I must say I was surprised to see you do this cut at 7:00 instead of just doing a pull cut inwards toward the hat! I for sure would have popped that nose open! haha.

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

I thought about it, but I was going for a specific look :)

@stephenwhittier6439 2 жыл бұрын

👍 thanks again ! 🤗

@fakeervloggs660 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice video super duper ☺️👍 ☺️💗🎉💖❣️❣️

@ZakariyaMissoum 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!

@allenw1742 2 жыл бұрын

awesome video! currently working on an owl :)

@ItsMe-ic1gb Жыл бұрын

This video should be renamed, "How to whittle a whittle gnome."

@elderashagall Жыл бұрын

Good one… dad…

@larsenpoultryranch2173 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for all your videos, they are very helpful and encouraging. I am finally going to try whittling something once I find out where I hid my knife set. I bought some basswood, but also have access to buckeye wood from a tree we cut down. Does it need to be dried first or can I whittle from it fresh? Do you know if I should take off the bark or leave it on for the wood that is drying?

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

You can cut it fresh from the tree (also known as green wood) as it can be easier to carve. You can leave the bark on as it can add to the carving and give you to work with.

@emi287 2 жыл бұрын

I'm about to but my first whittling supplies! I have been watching your videos to prepare and I'm so excited! Can I ask I want to start out with a beavercraft knife, which is best for whittling ?

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

Personally. I like their C2 carving knife for an all around whittling knife. Its short enough for great blade control but long enough to take off large sections of wood. Downside is that Beavercraft is in Kyiv Ukraine, so what they have available on Amazon may be all that is left. So I suggest grabbing one now if Amazon still has stock.

@emi287 2 жыл бұрын

@@CarvingisFun thankyou very much for your help, I just saw they were based in Ukraine on their website 💔

@goose-7896 2 жыл бұрын

Great tutorial, I think it turned out great! I really want to get into whittling but I'm having trouble finding tools and such for left-handed people. Do you happen to know of any beginner-friendly sources where I could find a left-handed kit?

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

Most whittling knives are ambidextrous and dont required a right or left hand designation. Ive used my knives in my left hand many times to great success

@juliamarekwierzchowscy7862 2 жыл бұрын

The whittling knives are both-handed :) I’m left handed and use the standard one. Look out only in the case of spoon carving knives (but there are left handed versions available).

@goose-7896 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you both! A friend of mine had told me that they were one-handed-- they must have meant the spoon carving knives. I appreciate you guys clearing that up! Makes my search a lot easier :)

@xfreii9180 Жыл бұрын

Awesome content! these guides are great. A question, what are some good alternatives to buying basswood from the stores? Could you do a guide on whittling from gathering wood to finished piece(if you have time and feel like it). Just curious, sorry to bother

@CarvingisFun Жыл бұрын

Some goodwood alternatives that I have experience with are pine, poplar, and butternut if I can find them. If I want something easy, balsa is a good option. I can add your suggestion to my list of ideas :)

@SomeGuy-xd5fn 2 жыл бұрын

definitely should've titled this "how to whittle a little gnome" would've been hilarious

@Loafymilk 9 ай бұрын

I've already prepared my wood (a log)

@frog_boyo7491 2 жыл бұрын

So cute ❤️ But I must know, how do you come up with the templates? Do you find them online?

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

I make them :) whell, the graphic artist I hired makes them with my hand drawn versions and makes them look cleaner.

@kale8931 2 жыл бұрын

hi! i’ve watched a few of your tutorials because they came up on my recommend and i’ve decided i think i might want to start whittling! i’ve been thinking about making a penguin for my boyfriend, is there anyway you could make a tutorial for that? if you could that would be really cool!

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

I have it on my list to make but am noy sure when I will get to it. However, Doug Linker has an excellent penguin tutorial to try out :)

@emmettb.1438 2 жыл бұрын

Hey there! I have a question. I am a person with quite large hands, and I was wondering if y'all have any tips for stopping my hand from cramping when holding smaller pieces of wood.

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

Besides the obvious of using larger pieces of wood, you could use a longer piece of wood so you have more area to hold on to away from the blade and just cut off the section you just carved.

@scottstafford3550 4 ай бұрын

Love the video. What knife are you using? Thanks so much. Scott

@CarvingisFun 4 ай бұрын

Thanks Scott! Im using a Helvie knife, but right now they have about an 18 month wait list. What are you using right now?

@scottstafford3550 4 ай бұрын

@@CarvingisFun I am just starting. I have a Cape Forge

@scottstafford3550 4 ай бұрын

Also what color stropping compound do you recommend?

@CarvingisFun 4 ай бұрын

Cape forge tools are really nice! Stropping compound color actually has zero relation to its effectiveness. For more info, I made a video here. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ip5orNyD0Kirgn0.htmlsi=xjwnHgrXksXdQHhI Btw, I am a big fan of beavercrafts strops and compound. I use them all the time.

@scottstafford3550 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for helping me. Would the green from beaver craft be ok for me?

@bimmaa 2 жыл бұрын

Hey, just asking. Can I use one of those presicion knives for carving and whittling?

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

You can, but keep in mind that the blades can be super brittle and can break easily.

@bimmaa 2 жыл бұрын

Cool I'll keep that in mind

@hiii-.-253 2 жыл бұрын

in an older video I saw you had a drawing of a fox laying down any chance of a tutorial for that drawing?

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

I may makena video on it, not sure when though.

@hiii-.-253 2 жыл бұрын

@@CarvingisFun sounds good thanks for responding !

@clay2690 Жыл бұрын

Can you tell me where you get your wood? I bought mine from beaver craft and it’s not as soft as yours and it’s kind of stringy.

@CarvingisFun Жыл бұрын

Howdy! I buy my basswood from a guy on Ebay here in the US. his ebay store is Choice Craft Wood.

@rafaelyamada9222 2 жыл бұрын

Hello, I'm from Brazil and unfortunately knives here are extremely expensive, as I'm going to start now, I would like to know which of the two options I have available here in Brazil is the best to start with: FLEXCUT - ROUGHING KNIFE or FLEXCUT - DETAIL KNIFE. Thank you!

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

I personally would grab the flexcut roughing knife as it can do larger cuts as well as smaller cuts and my actually be the only knife you will need to whittle with. The detail knife is a little limited in what it can do and the tip is quite brittle.

@rafaelyamada9222 2 жыл бұрын

@@CarvingisFun Thank you so much, I really like your videos, it's an inspiration to me.

@timlist4173 4 ай бұрын

Almost looks like it could be a seafaring gnome.

@bradtate158 Жыл бұрын

What helvie knife are you using?

@CarvingisFun Жыл бұрын

the standard Flex blade with birdtail handle

@Narque 6 ай бұрын

damn i dunno why but a lot of these cuts are pretty hard with the beavercraft c2 knife, mainly around doing the pockets and arm area. maye i should get the beaver craft detail knife for those areas. anyway i really enjoyed this one.

@CarvingisFun 6 ай бұрын

Sometimes that fine tip really does help quite a bit

@Narque 6 ай бұрын

@@CarvingisFun oh for sure it does. I might just grab a flexcut and be done with it haha. if I was to get just one flexcut what one would you recommend? I'm stuck between the roughing knife and the detail knife. cheers

@CarvingisFun 6 ай бұрын

Well, if you want something with detail, a detail knife would be best. If you wanna upgrade the C2, the roughing knife would be an upgrade and could do details well enough if needed. But grabbing a detail knife for the small stuff can help in the other direction

@treeman9395 2 күн бұрын

Can you do this with dowels?

@CarvingisFun 2 күн бұрын

Im sure you could! The proportions for the arms may be different and closer to the b9dy

@bertbennett2719 2 жыл бұрын

Template cutout size (100%) is only 2 3/16" tall.

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for letting me know! I will see about getting that fixed.

@moss5356 2 жыл бұрын

Ooo

@donaldraikes7366 2 жыл бұрын

I like your videos, but as a blind carver, the directions can be a bit hard to follow :-) That being said I get the gist of what you are doing and I appreciate the ideas for carving.

@stephansandberg3031 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, could you please give the measurements in cm as well, Sweden calling :)

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

Its there, 00:29

@preppy890 6 ай бұрын

What normal person measures in 1/3"?

@CarvingisFun 6 ай бұрын

Ha! Never said I was normal :)

@preppy890 6 ай бұрын

@@CarvingisFun I snapped the nose right off. I moved the hat up another 1/4" and made a new one.

@kinda_cold_in_the_closet Жыл бұрын

Ngl doing the nose always gives me anxiety. Do you have any tips to help with that?

@CarvingisFun Жыл бұрын

For me, you can just practice by making a bunch of noses in a block of wood. This is often referred to as a study in both the carving and drawing world and is a common thing that people do to get better.

@kinda_cold_in_the_closet Жыл бұрын

@@CarvingisFun Oh ok thanks!

@kulonone3374 2 жыл бұрын

didn't know you do collab with Keemstar

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

Nope, who dat?

@kulonone3374 2 жыл бұрын

@@CarvingisFun uh, I'm just gonna explain it just in case. . . . . . . Keemstar is a drama youtuber, and it was a joke (he acknowledged it tho) that he is a gnome.

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

Ha! Yep I can see why that went over my head :)

@douglasmorris2300 2 жыл бұрын

Great carving FYI Gnomes have eyes Nisses do not They are from Norway

@foxarium1577 3 ай бұрын

14:30

@andersongreen8399 5 ай бұрын

4:31 🗿🗿

@carolinaoutdoors1543 2 жыл бұрын

The template is confusing

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

May I have some feedback on how it is confusing? Always looking for ways to improve

@carolinaoutdoors1543 2 жыл бұрын

@@CarvingisFun sorry about that it was all me not paying attention. I got it . Thanks buddy

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

It's all good! Still, if you run across anything that could be improved let me know :)

@bertbennett2719 2 жыл бұрын

@@CarvingisFun Template is only 2 3/16" tall.

@Helixone1 2 жыл бұрын

@@bertbennett2719 it’s a guide. Just scale it. All printers are different. Just go for approximate scale and have some fun.

@andrewzheng3980 9 ай бұрын

This a great tutorial but you think I can make it with a chisel

@CarvingisFun 9 ай бұрын

Im sure you could!

@PokuShorts 2 жыл бұрын

My finger is no more 🤧 🤣

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

nooooo!

@PokuShorts 2 жыл бұрын

@@CarvingisFun 😂

@J-J-Jude 2 жыл бұрын

I really like your chess piece videos but honestly this one was really hard to follow. Not super clear what you were doing from the angle you were holding the camera at and at certain points your hands totally blocked what was going on. My gnome looks pretty lame I have to say.

@CarvingisFun 2 жыл бұрын

Ya, I was having trouble with the camera angles and this was the second attempt. Def not my best video.

@J-J-Jude 2 жыл бұрын

@@CarvingisFun Well please keep doing what you do, I appreciate the work and effort you put into your videos