~*FAT Hooking!*~

Hello Dear Friends!

This is NOT AT ALL what I should be working on, but it apparently is where my heart is at the moment!

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Judy Cripps' hook-in at her home.  While there, I wholeheartedly admired a rug of hers (all of her rugs really!) ~ finished and displayed in her kitchen.  I was delighted to see she had it drawn up and offered as a pattern.  It had to come home with me!  I listened carefully as she gave me a few tips for hooking it up.

It is sweet and simple!  It is also the largest rug I have EVER hooked (29 by 36)... and with the FATTEST STRIPS too!

 Pattern title is HAND TORN SHEEP Rustic Rugs ©Judy Cripps

These wool strips are roughly and inch wide!!!

Not wanting to measure with a ruler... and, of course, not having a wool cutter that would cut a strip this wide... I am using my thumb as a reference and guide.  (never mind my lack of a manicure, please!)

The strips for this rug are suppose to be ripped anyway... so this is working perfectly!

Judy told me to plan for 7x the wool for the motifs.  She advised to lay the wool, folded on the areas to be hooked.  I have a large stash of wool, but not in large dyed pieces all the same.  So, like most of my finishes, it is going to be scrappy... and just the way I love it!

I'm using my FAT, primitive hook opening up a large space to pull each fat, wooly worm through... and I am leaving lots of space between rows... trying very hard to not 'pack' as I hook.  Obviously, the 'packing' continues to be a challenge though.  

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~*Packing? or Rug Hooking?*~

Hello Dear Friends!

Yesterday, I purchased a small rug kit from Judy Cripps of Rustic Rugs.  My mind was focused on 'packing'... or rather, the opposite of it.

I've been told before that your loops in rug hooking should be "kissing, not hugging".  Hmmm... I think mine are sometimes really smooching and very snug.  'Snug as a bug in a rug?' maybe?  Seeing open spaces of linen on the back is okay.  I'm wondering, how does a hooker keep from pulling loops too tight and not crowding.  I'm not sure.  It is a challenge.

I hooked this little kit up last night.  While hooking, my goal was to leave it loose ~ don't pack.  Maybe my goal was reached... or maybe just a little.

I haven't ever taken a rug hooking class.  My hooking began about 2005.  I searched online and have met many wonderful rug hookers who are always happy to share their knowledge.  Have I learned?  I don't know.  There is surely much more to learn.  And much better hooking to achieve.

Here is my finished rug/mat... made last night.  The background has a little silver thread in it.  The result when hooking with it creates a starry~night...

Here are a few pictures from of the back...

Packed?

Here are the backs from some of my older hooked pieces...

This last one is probably one of my very first hooked pieces...

Good?  Bad?  Right?  Wrong?  I will continue to learn and try to do it right... but love the end result regardless!

Oh, and the Primitive Betty rug on the top of all, that one wasn't made by me.  It was made by my good friend, Ginger Jackson.  I love that one the best of all!

My latest little mat fit just perfect in the base spot on my wall!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty