Karvsnitt: Carving, Pattern & Color in the Slöjd Tradition

by Jögge Sundqvist

Cutting patterns and symbols in wood, and enhancing them with vibrant color, are folk traditions kept alive in the slöjd craft. Through decorations imbued with meaning, chip carving has given soul to slöjd woodcraft throughout history. Even today, chip carving offers a natural complement to an artfully crafted spoon, cutting board or shrink box – and it provides the opportunity to develop your own creativity and meaningful patterns.

This book teaches you techniques for cutting triangle chips, fingernail cuts, lines and letters — plus you’ll learn what kind of wood, knives and tools you need to get started, and techniques for painting your finished work. You’ll find 15 projects, from simple decorations on knife handles and signs to more demanding objects such as boxes and combs.

In addition to providing practical knowledge, “Karvsnitt” opens a window into older slöjd and folk art, and provides fascinating in-depth descriptions of the traditional meanings of different patterns and symbols.

We have sought to reproduce the Swedish edition of this book in every way possible, from the paper’s opacity to the binding and the endsheets. In short, this is a high-quality book that is made to last for generations.

Table of Contents

Introduction
     Rooted in a folk tradition of patterns     6
     What’s the point of cutting patterns?     7
     Tradition is change     9
Tools, Materials & Techniques
     Chip carving knife     13
     Material and blank     14
     Knife grips for chip carving     18
     Triangle chip     24
     Cutting letters and numbers     31
     Fingernail cut     34
     Shallow relief carving     38
     Pierced decoration      42
     Kolrosing      44
Pattern Construction     53
Painting Your Work     57
Other Slöjd Tools     66
Grinding, Honing & Stropping     72
Projects      76
Symbols & Magical Signs     166
     Archetypal symbols      171
     The role of symbols and patterns today     184
Afterword: Slöjd Artistry     186
Index      190