Whittling 101 - Free Mini-Course

A complete, start-to-finish foundation for whittling with traditional hand tools — the same fundamentals I teach in my in-person classes, distilled into a single, thorough guide. 14 pages, 30+ original photos, and diagrams built specifically for this guide (not stock images).
 
Covers everything you need before your first project: safety essentials, tool selection, using a knife, the basic cuts, working with wood grain, keeping your knife sharp, and the top 3 mistakes that trip up beginners — plus how to read and apply a carving pattern once you're ready to start.
 
Written after a year of teaching complete beginners — including plenty of people who needed to ask how to even hold the knife — this guide is built to answer the questions that actually come up in class, not just cover the basics in theory. No prior experience needed. Just patience and a willingness to begin imperfectly.
 
Free digital download. Instant access.
 
I'm always happy for feedback to keep improving these resources — reach out anytime at maria@handtoheartwood.com.