Great Book of Spoon Carving Patterns is a tutorial and pattern collection for woodcarving traditional decorative spoons designed and curated by Dave Western. Released 13th April 2021 by Fox Chapel, it's 144 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a well presented and accessible guide with tutorials for carving lovespoons including some background history, culture, and symbolism. The emphasis in this collection is on specific patterns and tutorials, although the author includes a general introductory tutorial which provides specific step-by-step instructions for a basic spoon from start to finish. The introductory section also covers tools, supplies, wood selection, and safety.
The tutorial patterns are selected from five disparate areas with a courting spoon tradition: Alpine, Brittany, Norway, Sweden, and Wales. The patterns are arranged by region, and in each category there are projects which will suit beginning to expert wood carvers. Each pattern includes full size line-drawn templates front and side views, photographs of the finished project, and a short history and explanation of the symbolism and area from which the spoon originated.
Although admittedly a niche interest, there is enough background and technique instruction in this volume to give it a wide relevance to other forms of handcarving, whittling, and decorative woodworking. Five stars. This would make a good selection for makers groups, crafts studios, library, or home workshop acquisition.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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