I might have thought from the shape of this that it this was a knitting stick or sheath, used to support a needle during the process of knitting, but there is no hole in the end to receive the needle, so it's not that. Someone more knowledgable than I identifies it as 19th century Scandanavian, likely Norwegian, and a tool used for rolling or folding clothes. I just love it as an object, and i would imagine it was made by a young man as a gift for his sweetheart as things like this very often were, here with two bands of hearts at the center asserting it a token of love. And then two more carved bands, reading rather like two crowns pointing in opposite directions, as if to subtly suggest a king and queen! 

8” long x 1” diameter. With beautiful grain patterns to the wood, a nice weight to it, great feel in the hand, excellent condition, very lovely.