Intro to Spoon Carving (3-day class)

Registration for this class opens to MMFS members on November 10, and then to the general public on November 12, 2026. Not a member yet? You can sign up here.

Note this class runs over three days: Friday, February 5, 6-8pm, Saturday, February 6, 9am-5pm and Sunday, February 7, 9am-5pm.

Spoon carving is an excellent way to begin a life-long journey into “green woodworking.”  If you have ever wanted to learn how to make something more than a pointed stick for marshmallows & hot dogs, this is the place to start. Spoon carving has a long history in Scandinavia and Europe. Spoons were a necessary daily utensil and important as gifts and in many ethnic courting rituals. Our ancestors ate with wooden spoons.

Confidence in use of the knife and axe is the goal of this thoughtful, 3-day class. Students will learn the knife strokes needed to successfully make a spoon, beginning with try sticks and then moving to small useful projects. The remainder of class will be spent making a spoon from blanks provided by the instructor. Students wishing to make their own spoon blanks will do so under the supervision of the instructor, using an axe. Other important skills students will learn are knife & axe safety, sharpening, wood choice, spoon design & layout and finishes.  

The knife skills you learn in this class will prepare you for intermediate wood carving classes at MMFS.

 

About the Instructor: Fred Livesay

Your instructor will provide the following materials:
Various tools for use by students, as well as knives available for purchase.

 

Students are asked to bring:

• Mora carving knife, no. 106 or 120 (no chip carving, hunting, or Flexcut knives)
• Pencils or gel pens
• Paper for sketching on
• A flexible straight edge (does not have to be a ruler)
• note-taking tools (if you’d like to take notes)
• We recommend dressing in layers, as certain classrooms can be drafty depending on the time of year.
• Since your class runs over the lunch hour, you may want to consider bringing a lunch or snack. Click  HERE to learn about local eating opportunities available before or after your class.

 

Skill Level
No experience required. This class requires some hand strength, such as that used to open a tight jar lid.

 

Age Requirement
Students ages 16 and older are welcome to attend this class. Ages 16-17 can register with parent permission (by email to info@marinemillsfolkschool.org).  

 

Location Details
Marine Mills Folk School
550 Pine St.
Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota 55047

Cost Details
Tuition: $165
Material Fee: $30
Total Cost: $195

 

NOTE: Be aware we may cancel class if a minimum number of registrations is not reached. We work to balance teachers’ need to plan for a class with students’ busy schedules — not an easy task. Please register as early as possible! If interested, you can find our cancellation policy  HERE.