Carve a Spoon: Crafting from Green Wood

Workshop Time: 10:00am-5:00pm, with 1 hour’s lunch break

Take your green woodcarving skills further by creating a beautifully balanced wooden spoon for everyday use.

This ‘Stage 2’ hands-on workshop builds on the foundations of our introductory session covering spatulas (see Stage 1 from Saturday, 7th February 2026), guiding upper-beginners to intermediate learners through the satisfying process of carving a spoon from freshly felled wood. Wooden spoons are a kitchen essential – durable, gentle on pans, and rich with character – making them a rewarding next step in your carving journey.

Working with an axe and knife only, you’ll explore more nuanced shaping as you carve the bowl and refine the handle. Green wood’s softness allows you to work responsively and intuitively, developing a stronger connection to the material while improving control and accuracy.

You’ll leave with a food-safe spoon that’s designed to be used and enjoyed, alongside greater confidence in traditional hand tools and techniques you can apply to future projects.

You’ll cover:

• Developing your understanding of green wood and grain
• Confident, safe axe and knife work
• Splitting a log in billets
• Shaping and refining a functional spoon
• Finishing, oiling and caring for your carving

Who’s this workshop for?
This workshop is for adults aged 18+ who have some prior experience of green woodcarving, especially those who’ve attended the Landmark’s spatula workshop for beginners (Stage 1) and wish to progress their skills.

Please note that this workshop is very physically active in the process of hands-on carving. Participants will need a reasonable level of upper body strength, particularly in the hands and arms, to work safely and comfortably throughout the session.

Materials
All tools, wood, and safety equipment are provided. Tools may also be available to purchase after the session. Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes.

Green Woodcarving Workshop Series

This workshop is the second focused on home cookware in a welcoming series of green woodcarving workshops taking place in Spring 2026. Other workshops include:

• Woodcarving for Beginners (Stage 1): Sculpting Spatulas – Saturday, 7 February 2026, 10:00am-1:00pm (Half Day)
• Woodcarving Valentine’s for Beginners – Friday, 13 February 2026, 6:30pm-9:30pm (Half Day)
• Woodcarving an Easter Bunny – Saturday, 4 April 2026, 10:00am-1:00pm (Half Day)
• Woodcarving Bowls: Upper Intermediate Learners (Stage 3) – Saturday, 23 May 2026, 10:00am-5:00pm (Full Day)

Across the series, you’ll discover the satisfaction of shaping fresh, living wood by hand using simple tools and low-impact processes. Green woodcarving has deep roots in the UK, from rural spoon carving and tool-making to decorative architectural details. Before industrial machinery, it was a practical, everyday skill, valued for its responsiveness, strength and minimal waste.

Each workshop builds confidence and technique, helping you learn to read the grain, use tools safely and understand how wood behaves as it dries. Together, the series offers a rewarding pathway into traditional British woodcraft and sustainable making.

About the tutor

Simon Whitehead is a green wood carver and the leader of The Richmond Spoon Club, known for his clear, patient approach and supportive teaching style.