Here’s what mine is supposed to look like! Katie Kriner, owner of The Bee and the Bear in Hereford, PA had the models in the classroom for us today.
The kit made a lovely presentation to greet each of the 10 students (class max size).
Everything needed to finish the piece was included.
We’re working on wide weave linen (it feels rougher than the linen that I’m used to using for embroidery). Burlap is what was probably used many years ago, but the fibers break down. The strips are an “8” width (1/4″). They are also called worms.
We hook motifs first (lemon, leaves, stem) then background. As with punch needle, Katie had us work in a circular fashion toward the center.
The hooks don’t have the latch like what I used with precut lengths of yarn to make rugs back in my teens. Herrschners was where we bought our crafts back then, and they are still in business and still have latch rugs.
This is a different hook. It’s bigger than a crochet hook. Katie had a wide variety of quality hooks to try (smart businesswoman). The kit included a straight hook that wasn’t as easy to work with compared to the better ones. The dark wood ones (for $68-88) were pretty, but there wasn’t one with a bent shank. I decided the Hartman Hook with an ergonomic handle medium bent shank (5 mm) was my favorite (for $46). She offers $10 off to swap out the straight hook provided in the kit for any other hook.
I struggled some, but that’s not unusual in a class. I’m not in my comfy chair, lots of chatter, and an unfamiliar tool. You hold the hook above the linen in your right hand and hook the worm with your left hand below the linen. The woman across from me finished the leaves, stem, and most of the lemon before we ran out of time. I get it – you hook the worms! And, you cut the tails and leave them on the top.
Both Kristen and I needed a stand (we settled on a weight from a box). We both tried to put the tool below the surface on multiple occasions. And, we both agreed that the lack of precision (different height of loops at different angles) is not as pleasing to us as what we can get from needlepoint. But, it is our first attempt. Katie says we’ll see improvement as we progress. I believe that there is always a learning curve for any new endeavor.
The night before class, I had seen a friend’s first attempt also in progress, but she had hooked hers so tightly that each motif was folding up on itself. So, I am probably a little bit on the loose side. We’ll see what happens as I do plan on finishing this and the punch needle (eventually). Here’s what the backside should look like.
Melitastitches4fun's Blog
Filed under: General comments, Rug Hooking with Wool Strips
Here’s what mine is supposed to look like! Katie Kriner, owner of The Bee and the Bear in Hereford, PA had the models in the classroom for us today.
The kit made a lovely presentation to greet each of the 10 students (class max size).
Everything needed to finish the piece was included.
We’re working on wide weave linen (it feels rougher than the linen that I’m used to using for embroidery). Burlap is what was probably used many years ago, but the fibers break down. The strips are an “8” width (1/4″). They are also called worms.
We hook motifs first (lemon, leaves, stem) then background. As with punch needle, Katie had us work in a circular fashion toward the center.
The hooks don’t have the latch like what I used with precut lengths of yarn to make rugs back in my teens. Herrschners was where we bought our crafts back then, and they are still in business and still have latch rugs.
This is a different hook. It’s bigger than a crochet hook. Katie had a wide variety of quality hooks to try (smart businesswoman). The kit included a straight hook that wasn’t as easy to work with compared to the better ones. The dark wood ones (for $68-88) were pretty, but there wasn’t one with a bent shank. I decided the Hartman Hook with an ergonomic handle medium bent shank (5 mm) was my favorite (for $46). She offers $10 off to swap out the straight hook provided in the kit for any other hook.
I struggled some, but that’s not unusual in a class. I’m not in my comfy chair, lots of chatter, and an unfamiliar tool. You hold the hook above the linen in your right hand and hook the worm with your left hand below the linen. The woman across from me finished the leaves, stem, and most of the lemon before we ran out of time. I get it – you hook the worms! And, you cut the tails and leave them on the top.
Both Kristen and I needed a stand (we settled on a weight from a box). We both tried to put the tool below the surface on multiple occasions. And, we both agreed that the lack of precision (different height of loops at different angles) is not as pleasing to us as what we can get from needlepoint. But, it is our first attempt. Katie says we’ll see improvement as we progress. I believe that there is always a learning curve for any new endeavor.
The night before class, I had seen a friend’s first attempt also in progress, but she had hooked hers so tightly that each motif was folding up on itself. So, I am probably a little bit on the loose side. We’ll see what happens as I do plan on finishing this and the punch needle (eventually). Here’s what the backside should look like.