Beginner’s Course in Wood Carving

In this course, you will learn the basics of wood carving – from safe carving grips and tool care to understanding the properties of wood and surface finishing. By working with natural materials and creating your own useful objects, we explore a craft where sustainability and knowledge go hand in hand.

Content

This course is an introduction to wood carving as a craft, a form of knowledge and a way of working with natural materials. We work with fresh wood and use a carving knife, spoon knife and axe as our main tools.

We begin with basic carving exercises, where you will practise different carving grips and safe techniques. We then explore techniques that are particularly useful when carving spoons and other functional objects. Starting with a round piece of fresh wood, we work step by step towards creating a spoon, ladle, spatula or another useful object of your choice.

Throughout the course, we develop an understanding of the properties and possibilities of wood – including grain direction, growth rings and the characteristics of different types of wood. You will learn how to read the wood and allow the material itself to help guide the shape.

We will also go through tools and tool care. Keeping knives and axes sharp is an important part of the craft, and you will practise this throughout the course.

For those who are interested, there is also an opportunity to try decorative carving and chip carving.

Wood carving is about more than the finished object. The journey matters – getting to know the material, developing your technique and finding a sense of calm in the act of creating. Here, traditional craft knowledge meets a more sustainable way of creating and making use of natural materials.

Previous Experience

No previous experience is required.

Location

The course takes place at Verksamhetshuset Hubben, in the Gåsören room. Hubben is located at Kanalgatan 51, in the courtyard behind the public dental clinic. Our premises are accessible.

Course Materials

Basic materials and tools are available to borrow during the course. If you have your own carving knife, please bring it with you.

Course Leader

Course leader Håkan Lundberg began his journey with wood as a lumberjack in the deep forests of Småland. Over the years, he has trained in woodcarving, blacksmithing and log building, and has completed a two-year programme in traditional crafts and handicrafts in Vindeln.

His knowledge has been further developed through three years of biology studies at Karlstad University, as well as teaching qualifications in both crafts and biology.

For Håkan, sustainability and traditional craft techniques go hand in hand. With the conviction that natural materials and time-tested techniques stand the test of time, he has, among other things, relocated, modified and renovated a traditional Västerbotten farmhouse.

REGISTRATION: Through the Studiefrämjandet website.
https://www.studieframjandet.se/vasterbottens-lan/gustav-arrangemang/kurser/2026/oktober/grundkurs-i-taljning/