In an age of screens, speed, and digital everything, there's something profoundly grounding about crafting with your hands. Spoon carving—yes, carving actual spoons from raw wood—is gaining momentum as one of the most meditative, satisfying, and practical crafts you can explore. Whether you’re sitting under a shady tree this summer or by the fire on a quiet evening, this timeless tradition offers an escape and a purpose.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to carve spoons, Carving Spoons, Revised Second Edition by Shirley Adler is the perfect guide. Published by Fox Chapel Publishing, this beautifully updated edition is filled with step-by-step instructions, tool advice, safety tips, and 45+ original templates that will help you turn a block of wood into a functional work of art.
Why Spoon Carving? Spoon carving is the kind of slow, hands-on hobby that naturally encourages mindfulness. It requires your full attention, offers tactile satisfaction, and leaves you with something both beautiful and useful. Here’s why it’s perfect to start now:
-
It’s a great summer skill: Easily done outdoors, even on a porch or camping trip.
-
It connects you to tradition: Spoon carving is a centuries-old craft that blends form and function.
-
It’s sustainable: Make practical, reusable items from local wood, scraps, or branches.
-
It makes heartfelt gifts: A hand-carved spoon is a personal, cherished keepsake.
What You’ll Learn in This Book Shirley Adler breaks the craft down into accessible, inspiring chapters:
-
Tool Selection & Safety Tips: Learn about hook knives, gouges, carving axes, and gloves.
-
Wood Choices: Discover which woods are best (birch, cherry, walnut) and how to prep them.
-
Beginner to Advanced Techniques: Start with simple stirring spoons and progress to salad servers, coffee scoops, or decorative ladles.
-
45+ Ready-to-Use Templates: Unique designs for every skill level.
-
Finishing & Caring for Your Spoons: Food-safe oils, sanding methods, and maintenance tips.
This revised edition also includes new photos, updated patterns, and pro tips for a smoother, safer, and more creative carving experience.
Tips for Getting Started with Spoon Carving
-
Start with Softwood: Basswood is ideal for beginners. It’s soft, easy to carve, and forgiving.
-
Invest in a Good Hook Knife: This is the #1 tool you’ll use to hollow the bowl of the spoon.
-
Trace First: Use templates from the book to outline your shape before carving.
-
Always Cut Away From Yourself: Safety first! Wear gloves and brace your arms.
-
Sand and Oil: Once carved, smooth your piece and finish with mineral oil or walnut oil.
Crafting as a Mindful Practice Spoon carving isn’t just about the finished product. It’s about presence. Each shaving of wood, each curve you refine, draws you closer to calm and clarity. It’s a way to disconnect from stress and reconnect with creativity.
Set the mood with soft music or birdsong. Work outside in natural light. Let the rhythm of the knife and wood guide your breath. This is craft therapy at its finest.
Inspire the Whole Family
-
Teens can safely try carving butter knives or small spreaders with guidance.
-
Adults will appreciate the tactile challenge and the pride of a completed piece.
-
Craft circles or workshops: Use this book as the foundation for group projects or skill-sharing gatherings.
Spoon carving is more than a hobby—it’s a skill, a tradition, and a quiet rebellion against mass production. With Carving Spoons, Revised Second Edition, you don’t just learn how to carve; you learn how to slow down and create with intention.
Ready to begin your spoon carving journey? Grab your copy now from Fox Chapel Publishing and carve your way to calm, creativity, and craftsmanship.