Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Adventures in Rug Hooking


It was the summer of 1991 in Cheticamp, Nova Scotia when I was first introduced to rug hooking. With the hopes of making my own rug one day, I returned home with a little inspiration, a small mat made from fine wool yarn and a tiny hook.

One day came  in 1994 the year I signed up for a rug hooking class. Thirteen lessons for $65.00 and $100.00 for materials which included a pre-stamped pattern on burlap backing, a hook and pre-cut wool fabric strips. I worked on my rug over a 17 month period and spent a total of 200 hours hooking it.

When Anne, from Anne's Original Hooked Rugs posted a comment on my blog earlier last year that started me thinking about rug hooking again. I decided if it was still on my mind come fall, I would look into making another rug.  It was still on my mind and so began with a trip to the library where I checked out every book on rug hooking, all great reads.   One book, Basic Rug Hooking, by Alice Beatty and Mary Sargent I ordered for my personal library. I did purchase a few other books and will tell you more about them later.


Between the internet and reading books my head is spinning with so much information, I need to compile all I have learned for future reference. 

Frugal is the way I would like to go about rug hooking, but at first there is some expense.  New wool fabric is pricey, but an option is to recycle old wool and one that many rug hookers choose. I love the look of wool yarn hooked rugs and am leaning that way right now, but I also love the look of primitive rugs using 1/4 inch wide wool fabric strips.  I have seen the two mixed together with wonderful results and can see myself doing that to.

A decision has been made on the wool yarns I will be using and I even started my search for recycled wool fabric, with excellent results.  And, I am very excited about learning to dye wool.  Backing fabric has arrived and I have also added a couple of hooks to my collection.  But, what has been the most fun so far is time spent in the wood shop building a few rug hooking accessories.  I'm very pleased, wait till you see!

Also, before Christmas, I did order some new wool fabric (for dyeing) and binding tape to take advantage of a free shipping offer.  And, for Christmas, my sister brought me some nice white wool fabric and Cushing dyes to try, along with a big bag full of beautiful wool yarns.  I was planning to cut all my fabric strips by scissor, like the old days, but my sister is also interested in trying rug hooking and cutting by scissor is not her idea of fun, so she decided to order a Fraser 500-1 Strip Cutter.

So, once I compile my notebook of information, I will be ready to make my second rug, a new, old adventure that I'm sure to enjoy as much as quilting and stitchery.

Until next time.....happy New Year!

Karen


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great for you! I made one small rug, only one about 8 or 10 years ago. My grandmother taught me "Latch Hooking" from a kit she had bought me when I was a kid and then taught me hooking! I would love to give it a try again... Can't wait to see your adventures! Hugs, Kim C

Quiltpassion.blogspot.com said...

It looks very nice, I'm anxious to see what you make, success!
aND FOR YOU ALL THE BEST FOR 2012!
hAPPY QUILTING, cISCA

Marg said...

I've often admired these and thought it would be great to do. I've done a cushion panel - assuming it is similar. Looking forward to seeing your results. Cheers

Cathi said...

I'm intrigued and look forward to seeing your posts as you go about making the rug.

Betsy said...

I too have been wanting to venture into rug hooking but unfortunately it is an expensive hobby and as a quilter I cannot afford both. I look forward to seeing your creations.

Melody said...

Happy New Year. Hope 2012 brings you much happiness. I really looking forward to watching your rugs grow.

Carrie P. said...

I am planning to do some rug hooking this winter myself. I bought a really nice frame last spring but still have not started anything.
I have been collecting some wool jackets from Good wool. Wool skirts are great to use too but they seem harder to find.
Have fun.

Quilting Chemist (Danette) said...

Your rug hooking is beautiful! I've always wanted to try rug hooking. My grandma let me help her latch hook rugs and pillows many, many years ago.

Farm Gate Creations Incorporating Hummingbird Quilting said...

That is probably about the only hobby that I have not tried. It is sounding interesting though.

Paula said...

Rug hooking sounds interesting, and you will dye your wool, you will have so much fun, I know, I love dyeing wool, looking forward seeing your project.

Take care