Whittle Into Fall: Beginner Learning Path

Founding price: $59 for the first 20 carvers (then $79). Use code FOUNDING20 (20 uses available.)

Through October 25, all carvers also get my Christmas Tree Gnome tutorial ($16) free with your purchase. Discount applied in checkout.

Learn to whittle the way my in-person students do: one carefully chosen project at a time. Whittle Into Fall is a Learning Path, my beginner class sequenced and photographed step by step, so you can build real carving skill and confidence at home.

The four lessons follow the same order I teach in person, refined across multiple classes of true beginners. Each project introduces new skills only after you’ve had a chance to practice the ones before it, so every carving builds on the last.

What you’ll carve

• Lesson 1: Quick-Start Ghost. Your first finished carving in a single session. Push, pull and V cuts, and working with the grain.

• Lesson 2: Witch Gnome. Carving on the corner of the block, chip cuts, and a toothy grin.

• Lesson 3: Franken-Gnome. The same base gnome becomes a whole new character, with a jacket, pockets, pants and shoes.

• Lesson 4: The Folk Art Finish. Paint all three as a batch with a dark wash, thin layers and dry brushing, so your knife work shows instead of a plastic look.

What’s inside

• 41-page PDF with 230+ close-up, step-by-step photos with knife positions

• To-scale patterns for every project

• A recap after every lesson, plus a preview of what’s next

• The exact paints I use, in an easy paint key

Made for beginners

• Every project uses the same 1x1x3" basswood block (or 1.5x1.5x4.5" at 1.5x).

• All you need is a rough-out knife and safety gear.

• Carve one lesson a week and you’ll finish a matching fall trio in about four weeks. Or go at your own pace; there’s no prize for finishing fast.

New to carving? Add my free Whittling 101 guide as an intro. It covers safety, tools, basic cuts and keeping your knife sharp.

You won’t be carving alone

Stuck on a step? Not sure if your cut looks right? Email me a photo at maria@handtoheartwood.com and I’ll help you figure it out, just like I would in class. This path was built for true beginners, and you can do this!

Instant PDF download. For personal use.