Listed here are tips and links to tips and patterns found throughout the web. Unless stated, the Idaho Woodcarvers Guild only lists them as an added resource.

NUMBER 1 PRIORITY when carving:

1)   Safety first! When carving, always  
    wear protection. It turns out that
     advice from your parents also applies
    when woodcarving. You should   
    always wear a carving glove on 

     the hand holding the carving, as well
    as protection for the thumb on the
    carving hand. Some carvers also
    cover other fingers that may come in
    contact with sharp blades or to protect
    the forefinger that pushes on the back
    of the carving blade.

2)  Always carve with sharp tools.   
   More people get seriously hurt when
   using dull tools than with sharp  tools.    
   A dull tool has a nasty tendency to
   catch or slip, and can severely cause a
   cut. Strop often when carving, on the
   average of about every 50 strokes, or
   every 30 minutes. But that is only a
   general rule. If your tool is not making    
   a clean cut, STROP!

3)  Always know where your knife or
    tool tip is. Do not place anything in
   the way of the blade that you do not 

     intend to cut with that tool.

 4)  Carve often, carve much, and
    carve well. Good carvers become
    better carvers when they practice. 

     Master carvers recommend at least
    30 minutes a day, or several hours a
    week. This helps you practice how to
    use your tools, how to follow
    directions, and how to correct 

     your mistakes. And let's face it, all of
    us make mistakes. A master carver
    once told me that the difference
    between a good carver and a
    beginner is the good carver knows
    how to fix any mistake they make.

  5)  Buy quality tools, wood and
    supplies. No one likes spending
   money on inferior quality items. So to
   prevent throwing inferior tools in the
   bottom of your toolbox, buy the best
   you can afford. You will never regret it.