——September 5-7——Wooden Spoon Carving 2 or 3 days with Jarrod Dahl

Related Courses/Events: Woodworking Courses

Dates: Sat-Sun, September 5-6, 2026, 9am-5pm plus Monday, September 7, 2026

Optional: Friday, September 4, 6pm Our Wooden Spoon Collection Craft Night Series presentation with Jarrod Dahl The Wooden Spoon Drawer Exhibition & Talk.

Description: Spend 2 or 3 days making wooden spoons. Beginner, intermediate and advanced carvers will all learn something in this class. Students will start with freshly harvested wood and simple, effective tools; the axe and Swedish carving knife. They will review the process of turning a whole log into rough blanks with wedges and the carving axe, systematically learn basic and advanced knife grips, and hone their focus and self-awareness by carving chopsticks. Next, students will learn how to use the hook knife and build an eye for spoon design through observation and carving small stirring spoons. More nuanced and advanced techniques will be discussed with students ready to go further.

By day two students will be carving the deceptively simple eating spoon with their newly gained knowledge and skills. Proper knife techniques as well as fine workmanship will be stressed. Throughout the class there will be short lectures, demonstrations and guided practice sessions. Jarrod will discuss where to acquire tools, how to care for and sharpen your tools, refining your carving technique, understanding wood grain, and finishes for woodenware. Carvers with prior experience will be encouraged to further develop their carving technique and design skills through critique and lessons tailored to their level of experience.

Day 3 will allow students to continue deepening their skills and make more spoons. Serving and cooking spoons will be addressed. The class will engage in observation and respectful critique of a selection of spoons from Jarrod’s wooden spoon collection. Students will receive more individualized attention regarding knife and axe technique as time and skill levels allow.

Prerequisites: All skill levels are welcome, however this course requires hand strength, stamina, hand eye coordination and the ability to follow precise instructions regarding safety. Being able to open a sealed jar is an example of basic hand strength. Ages 18 and up.

All tools and materials will be provided.

Feel free to bring your own sharp carving knife if you have one. We recommend this craft knife Morakniv 106

Workshop fee: $225 2 Days or $300 3 Days

JARROD DAHL is a full-time craftsperson, teacher, and writer who has worked with wood professionally since 1996. He runs Woodspirit Handcraft with his wife Jazmin, where Jarrod designs, makes, and sells woodenware. He specializes in turning green wood into handled cups, bowls, plates, and boxes and carving a wide variety of knife finished cooking and eating utensils. Jarrod teaches handcraft nationally and internationally as well as trains apprentices. He has studied and researched woodenware in museum archives in the US, Sweden, UK, and Japan. His designs have been influenced by these traditional everyday objects. Jarrod has extensive knowledge of harvesting and processing natural materials, forging and using hand tools, and making a wide variety of craft from basketry to canoes. He takes a philosophical, historical and pragmatic approach to making, teaching, and advocating for handcraft. Jarrod writes a blog, and has written for Popular Woodworking and Mortise & Tenon Magazines. He made two DVDs, The Art of Spoon Carving (with Popular Woodworking) and One Tree about green woodworking recorded in Japan. He also has a forthcoming book with Lost Art Press on Spring Pole Lathe Turning. He lives in Northern Wisconsin. www.woodspirithandcraft.com instagram: @jarrod__dahl @woodspirithandcraft