Weaving a Rug

I need to add "weaver" to my blog title. I have officially woven my very first rag rug on my new Norwood loom.
It was a learning piece, and did I ever learn a lot! For instance, I need to start doing some core body exercises to build my back muscles! Just dressing the loom killed my back. It is a large loom compared to the one I use for my lessons, (I've had two lessons) and everything is a reach. I now understand why I've read that weavers make the warp for more than one thing at a time a lot. It took one day to measure the warp, two days for my back to make it through dressing the loom, and a little over half a day to weave the rug. I am still trying to figure out how to finish it off. Then I will wash it.

Directions on the Internet for finishing a rag rug are not as available as weaving instructions, but I am pretty sure I know what I want to do and if it isn't right, it's OK, because it's my rug and such a great learning project. For instance. I learned I don't know how to adjust the tension, I don't think I dressed the back part of the loom right. I had a lot of skipped places where the thread didn't separate in the dent that I used double thread on, and I think that had a lot to do with the problem I had at the back of the loom.
The rug is a lot thinner than I would like but I used rag balls I had from locker hooking projects that never got done. I have enough balls of fabric for at least one more rug, and I have a bunch of batiks I cut and rolled into balls for a darker version.
As far as a first rug, and the lessons I learned, I think I did pretty good. At least it looks good from 5 to 6 feet away.

New Adventure, Weaving

At our monthly hook-in of the Wild West Rug Hookers, two hookers Craig and Barb were telling us that they were learning to weave. They are taking a class once a week in Laurel, MT. Well, since weaving is something I've always been interested in, my ears really perked up! Especially when I found out it was only $10 a class. So I instantly started researching looms, what the difference was in different looms and found out they are expensive. I knew I wanted a 4 harness, 6 treadle loom with a 40" weaving width. I couldn't get one too big because I wouldn't have a place to put it, and I didn't want one too small because I wouldn't be able to weave rugs or shawls. With a lot of computer time looking for the perfect loom, I found it.

This isn't the one I got, but it is exactly like it and comes with the warping board, bench with storage, and all the accessories. It was a great price. The only problem is that it is Ft Collins, Colorado, which isn't really a problem because my daughter and her husband are picking it up for me in two weeks when they go visit family in Torrington, only a couple hours away from Ft Collins. So by this time next week I will be setting a loom up in my studio, commonly known as the basement.

I took my first class Thursday. I was so nervous about the class. With weaving, like any other craft, there is a whole new language to learn. I downloaded weaving terms and diagrams so I had an idea of what I was about to learn. I'm so glad I did. There is so much to learn, especially how to dress the loom. Basically, my first lesson consisted of measuring out the yarn, slaying the reed, and figuring out which heddle to thread the yarn through. I didn't finish dressing the loom before it was time to go so my teacher Jo Anne is going to finish it so I can start weaving next Thursday.

The building that our teacher Jo Anne had built for teaching is shaped like a barn with full windows on the front and back of the building. There are two floors completely filled with looms. Some are for sale and some are owned by women who come there to weave.

For my first project I will be making a sampler with 62 different weaves using the same threading. Barb is doing the same one. She is further along of course. A hand tag will hang on the side of each design showing how it was made so I will have a reference that I can quickly look at if I want to make something like say a tea towel or scarf.

I have a feeling I will be collecting all sorts of fabulous yarns now. Just what I need. More stuff.

Button Basket Rug

The Button Basket rug I started in August at Assumption Abbey in Richardton SD is finally finished. I was taking a class from Michele Wise who was teaching at Prairie Rose Rug School, when I started hooking it. 

Button Basket is a Susan Quicksall, owner of Holly Hill Designs, design. I can't tell you how much fun I had hooking this rug. Michele Wise taught me the seed, or bead stitch and so much about color. Just hooking with the Pearsons and Patty Tyrrell, who are experienced hookers, has improved my stitches.

Before I went to rug school I hand dyed all the wool for my rug. I used all but two of the colors I dyed.

Now that this rug is finished I'm working on my black lab rug. I didn't care for the background of that rug anymore so I took it all out. The dog looks good so I left it. I dyed different wool using some of the same colors I used in the Button Basket rug, like the blues and greens.

My original intent was to put the rug in front of the TV when it was finished. As soon as I laid it in front of the TV our black lab Buck laid right on it, of course, and I decided right then that I didn't want his black hair all over it so I will now find a place to hand it.

November Rug Hook-In

Our second Hook-In was, again, a great success. Barb and Craig Pearson brought two more show and tells. I have to say that Barb's Heart, which is from a Laurel Burch quilt design, literally gave me goose bumps it was so beautifully done.

The camera on my phone didn't do the work justice. She uses (don't quote me) a size 3 cut. I saw a picture online from Laurel Burch's book that Barb took the design from and I have to say that Barb's rug outdid the original from Laurel. It says a lot when someone can out do the artist, especially one as talented as the late Laurel Burch.

Craig's show and tell was this whimsical basket. You can tell he had a lot of fun with color in this rug. His hooking is as perfectly executed and his wife Barb's.

We love hearing Craig and Barb talk about different classes they have taken. They are frequent students at Friends by the Sea and Prairie Rose Rug School. Their stories show the rest of us how much there is to learn at these schools. One thing I have been so amazed at, is the difference in cost between a Rug Camp or School as opposed to a Quilt Retreat and Classes. Roughly around $500 gets you room and board, plus your teacher, for a week. At both of these schools the meals are prepared by outstanding cooks and the atmosphere is light and fun.

Barb designed this whimsical hooked piece to be used as a pillow when she is finished. Her inspiration was Laurel Burch so I guess you could say this is a Laurel Burch adaptation. I only wish you could see the background better. Her teacher dyed it using all the colors left from dyeing the rug. She diluted the dye and spot dyed the white. The colors are so subtle and yet add so much movement. Don't you just love her cat?  



 





Here we have Barb, working on her rug and Kathi Charles, who had a Quilting day at her house on Saturday so she showed up to visit after everyone left. Two of the sewing gals stopped by for a visit too, which was so nice. We even had a young girl and her husband come in to see what we were up to. Of course, they got a crash course in Traditional and Primitive rug hooking.

 As you can see here, Craig loves rug hooking and it shows not only in his personality but his work. AND he is around 200 days until retirement! I wonder what he is going to do with all that time...





Here is Carol Messerli packing up for the day. She is doing such a great job on this rug. She is as new as I am at hooking. I'm so glad she is "hooked". We enjoy her company so much. I must say that we have such a fun group. We can always use more hookers though. The more the merrier.

 This is Carol's rug so far. Don't you love her color choices? She has a very artistic eye.

Patty Tyrrell is sitting here all packed up. She finished both of the projects she brought. One was her very first hooked purse that she designed herself. I just LOVE it!! She did an outstanding job, especially since she didn't have any instructions. She even sewed a zipper in the top.







 The other project she brought was the Santa ornaments that she started at Prairie Rose Rug School. I still haven't finished mine so she inspired me to get busy on them and get them finished. They will be so cute on the Christmas tree.

 

 

And this is what I have done so far on my Button Basket rug. The basket was a challenge for me. I truly had no idea what wool I should use but it came together better than I expected. Sometimes we just have to hook it and see what we think. It is easily changed if needed. Hooking is very forgiving art form, which is good because I've needed to change different areas a few times.

With busy schedules in the month of December, we are taking a break until January 25th. We really want to get more people stopping by to see what we are up to, if for no other reason, to educate more people in our area about rug hooking and it's history. So if you want to see Traditional and Primitive rug hooking, stop by the Bison Room at the Park County Library, between 9:30 and 4:00 on January 25th. We hope to see you then!

Successful First Hook-In

The very first Hook-In for Patty and I was a great success. Craig and Barbara Pearson brought several rugs to show and Patty brought her finished rug that she started at Prairie Rose Rug School.
Craig Pearson started hooking a little over a year before his wife Barbara started. They are both the nicest couple. They hook with different size strips, both small cuts, and when they take classes they both take different teachers. Both are what I consider excellent, proficient, hookers. My stitches have improved simply by watching their work.

Barb Pearson Hooked and Proddy pillow is beyond adorable!

Patty Tyrrell's rug that she started at Prairie Rose Rug School. It just glows! and the church even has a sparkly stained glass window.

Craig Pearson was working on this amazing Mola rug.

Stunning rug by Barb Pearson. 

 Unbelievably beautiful rug by Craig Pearson.

Funky Chickens by Craig Pearson.

Barb Pearson's rug in progress.

Barb Pearson working on her rug.

Carol Messerli, Patty Tyrrell, Kathy Ewing.

Mola rug that Craig Pearson is working on.

Craig Pearson had so many wonderful stories to tell.

It was a great time for all of us and we plan to meet every month. I hope we can interest even more hookers!

Hook-In

Patty Tyrrell and I have been planning our hook-in, here in Cody Wyoming since last month. At first I booked a much smaller room, thinking that it would be only Patty and I, but it has turned out that several people will come so we booked the large room at the Park County Library, in Grizzly Hall. It is from 9:30 until 4:00 Saturday, October 26th. Bring a sack lunch or you can run out for lunch. I thought the Bistro would be open but they are closed on Saturdays. I was told that the chairs are not very comfortable too so bring a cushion or two.  Had I realized there is a full kitchen in the Grizzly Hall I would have planned a pot luck but we can figure this all out after our first Hook-In.

A couple from Powell, the Pearsons, have been hooking for quite a while. In fact, we first found out about them from an article in a newspaper from North Dakota that featured Prairie Rose Rug School. Patty contacted the Pearsons before we went to the school. The Pearsons weren't going to the Prairie Rose Rug School this last session so we didn't get to meet them yet but we were so excited to find out there were other hookers in our area. 

Little is known about rug hooking in this area of the United States but Patty and I are out to change that. Rug hooking is an important part of our history, especially in the Maritime parts of our country and Canada. It has also grown into a form of artistic freedom. Now keep in mind, this isn't the kind of hooking that we did with those little pieces of cut yarn. This is primitive hooking with a strip of wool.

If you would like to learn more about rug hooking, don't be shy, come to our hook-in. We already know there aren't very many experienced hookers in our area so you won't feel out of place. If you aren't interested in learning how to hook but would just like to see some great examples of primitive rug hooking then I hope you will grab a friend or two and come to the Art Show the Pearsons will be having. Patty and I will bring some eye candy too.

So mark your calendars for Saturday, October 26th and plan on having a great time.

Coffee, Tea, or Bee? Woolin Rouge Designs New Series

 



Our latest Woolin Rouge Pattern Series is called Coffee, Tea, or Bee? It is a series of 5 different flowers on mug rugs. A small wall hanging with all 5 of the flowers will be next. We want to have each kit packaged in mugs with the picture of the flower block printed on them. Our question is weather you would want the kit without the mug or with the matching mug? The difference would be about $10-$15 more in cost, but you could have your adorable matching mug to drink you favorite beverage from while using your mug rug. You could even have the whole series for you and all your friends while sewing, hooking, or just having a great time talking.

 

Just to wet your appetite even more is one more sneak peek.

Let me know what you think.