carve from

carve (something) from (something)

To use a knife or other tool to carve a block or mass of some material, typically wood, into a desired shape. I'm always so impressed by artisans that can carve animal figures from blocks of wood.
See also: carve
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

carve something from something

to shape by cutting something off or out of something with a knife. Can you carve an elephant from a bar of soap?
See also: carve
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • carve (something) from (something)
  • carve (something) into (something)
  • carve into
  • whittle at
  • whittle at (something)
  • whittle away at (something)
  • hew out of
  • hew
  • hew (something) out of (something)
  • hew out
References in periodicals archive
So the Aesir set a competition, and Baldr took to Dragvandil a mountain and told him to sculpt with it, while Freyia took to Laeti a great elm tree and told him to carve from it.
Are you sitting comfortably? AGENDA
It's entirely possible to learn to carve from a book but it's sure nice to have an experienced carver actually show you how.
Encouragement for beginning woodcarvers