Carving, Pattern & Color in the Slöjd Tradition, Jögge Sundqvist (book)

Cutting patterns and symbols in wood, and enhancing them with vibrant colour, are folk traditions kept alive in slöjd. Through decoration imbued with meaning, chip carving has given soul to slöjd woodcraft throughout history. Even today it is a natural complement to an artfully made spoon, cutting board or shrink box, and a chance to develop your own creativity and meaningful patterns.

The book teaches techniques for cutting triangle chips, fingernail cuts, lines and letters, what wood, knives and tools you need to get started, and how to paint your finished work. There are 15 projects, from simple decorations on knife handles and signs to more demanding objects such as boxes and combs. It also covers pattern construction, kolrosing, shallow relief, pierced decoration, grinding and honing.

As well as practical knowledge, the book opens a window into older slöjd and folk art, with in-depth descriptions of the traditional meanings of different patterns and symbols.

Jögge Sundqvist is a professional slöjd craftsman with 40 years of experience, writing for both beginners and more experienced woodworkers. This is the English edition of Karvsnitt from Lost Art Press, which has sought to reproduce the Swedish edition in every way, from the paper's opacity to the binding and endsheets. His previous book in English, Slöjd in Wood, is also published by Lost Art Press.