How to Carve Welsh Love Spoons

Love spoons are given as a sign of affection and often feature symbols of relationships in their design.

Welsh love spoons were traditionally carved as a symbol of affection. Today, these carvings are created to mark special occasions, such as weddings and anniversaries. You can carve your own Welsh love spoon as a gift for a loved one with basic woodworking tools and a board. Select a hard wood with a distinct color such as mahogany, walnut, cherry or maple. Love spoons traditionally incorporate symbols such as interlocking rings, hearts, bells and locks. This spoon includes a wedding bell and two hearts on the handle, and a heart for the bowl of the spoon.

Things You'll Need

• 1-inch-by-3-inch-by-12-inch board
• Pencil
• Band saw
• Carving knife
• Gouge chisel
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Wood finish

Instructions

1. Place the board on a work surface. Draw the outline of the spoon on one 3-inch-by-12-inch surface. The handle should consist of a wedding bell at the top with two hearts below it. Draw a larger heart for the bowl of the spoon.

2. Cut the outline of the spoon out on a band saw. Slowly feed the board through the saw, allowing the blade to cut as you guide the board along the pencil lines.

3. Cut small chips of wood to round out the shapes on the handle. Chipping small bits with a carving knife will create a detailed final piece. Be sure to cut away from your body to avoid cutting yourself if the knife slips.

4. Carve the bottom side of the spoon bowl so that it is rounded. Use a carving knife to cut away thin shavings to produce a smooth surface.

5. Carve out the inside of the spoon bowl using a gouge chisel. Hold the chisel at a slight angle and carve from the outside edge of the spoon bowl toward the center. Cut away thin shavings until the bowl of the spoon is hollowed out and smooth.

6. Sand the surface of the spoon with fine-grit sandpaper. Always sand in the same direction as the wood grain.

7. Apply a wood finish to the love spoon. Allow the finish to dry before handling.

Tips & Warnings

• Maintain a sharp edge on your carving knife and gouge chisel to produce clean results.

• A clear wood finish will allow the beauty of the wood to come through.

• Carve away from yourself.

• Wear eye protection.

References

• Carving Patterns: Welsh Love Spoons
• Tools are for Women Too: How to Carve a Welsh Love Spoon

Resources

• Welsh Love Spoons: Symbols and Meanings