Cheryl Patrick White asked:
Hooking rugs is one of the few hobbies that DOES NOT actually require a lot of supplies. As a matter of fact, it's probably the least expensive hobby you'll ever do. No... forget that! If you're like me, you'll find tons of wool that you simply MUST HAVE for some future project and every time you find a new pattern, well... you NEED that one too!
Seriously, there are only 3 or 4 items that you need to start your first project:
1. You must have a "backing" fabric and wool strips.The most common backings are burlap, Monk's cloth, or a special type of Linen fabric.
I would strongly suggest that you stick to 100% wool or at worst 80% wool. Check with your Salvation Army or Abilities Unlimited stores for some good buys on wool. Buy only slacks and skirts. Jackets and blazers have an iron-on interfacing in them everywhere except the very back and the sleeves. The residue from the iron-on makes them almost useless. So unless you find an unusual color (pink, yellow, green or aqua) stay away from the jackets and blazers.
2. You need a hook.When my mother hooked rugs, her hook was made out of a nail that had been driven into a piece of "whittled" down wood and the other end was bent back to form a hook. (I wish I could get my hands on it... )
Today, there are several different shapes and sizes of hooks that you can choose from. Some folks even start out using a regular crochet hook. You will most likely use several different ones before you settle on the one that is right for you. It's strictly a matter of preference.
3. A frame to hold your backing tight.There are any number of frames available for rug hooking. Again, it's a matter of preference and your style of working.
I have a 92 year old friend who tucks one end of her backing under each leg and stretches it tightly. She's never used a frame of any sort and thinks it's silly of me to need and want to use one!
If you're just starting to hook and your funds are limited... you can buy a 16" embroidery hoop and clamp it to a tabletop with a "C" clamp... you need both hands to hook. However, you will find this cumbersome and spend a lot of time loosening the clamp so that you can twist and turn your project.
The most widely used frames use a metal "gripper" that holds your backing in place. The gripper makes it extremely easy to adjust your hooking area whenever needed. There are lap frames that allow you take your hooking with you wherever you go. They can rotate 360" to make hooking any area a snap. There are floor models that allow you to sit in your easy chair and adjust your frame comfortably for hooking. The gripper frames are more expensive... but they are well worth the expense.
I have several frames that I use at different times for different projects. But my favorite is the oak sit-on frame with the gripper that has a 12X16 hooking area.
4. Scissors... Any style will do for starters, but you really need a pair of embroidery scissors or a pair that has an offset handle. The bent handle allows you to get close to the hooked area to clip the ends of your wool. You'll also need a pair of regular scissors to cut your backing and wool.
Here are some "oh, I've got that already" or "that would be nice to have." things...
Mechanical wool cutter (we'll talk in detail about those in another article - but you can start by using a rotary cutter wheel) Sewing machine for attaching the rug binding... unless you want to do that by hand, which is no big deal. Steam iron for steaming your project after you're finished hooking it. Textile dyes and measuring spoons for dyeing your wool once you get HOOKED on rug hooking. (My husband loves to tell everyone that he's married to a"hooker" and "stripper"!) Misc. tools... permanent marker, ruler, tape measure, needle and thread, and tracing paper.
Folks, that's all you really need to hook a rug! I have a lot of excellent info on this fascinating craft.
Digital Camera
Hooking rugs is one of the few hobbies that DOES NOT actually require a lot of supplies. As a matter of fact, it's probably the least expensive hobby you'll ever do. No... forget that! If you're like me, you'll find tons of wool that you simply MUST HAVE for some future project and every time you find a new pattern, well... you NEED that one too!
Seriously, there are only 3 or 4 items that you need to start your first project:
1. You must have a "backing" fabric and wool strips.The most common backings are burlap, Monk's cloth, or a special type of Linen fabric.
I would strongly suggest that you stick to 100% wool or at worst 80% wool. Check with your Salvation Army or Abilities Unlimited stores for some good buys on wool. Buy only slacks and skirts. Jackets and blazers have an iron-on interfacing in them everywhere except the very back and the sleeves. The residue from the iron-on makes them almost useless. So unless you find an unusual color (pink, yellow, green or aqua) stay away from the jackets and blazers.
2. You need a hook.When my mother hooked rugs, her hook was made out of a nail that had been driven into a piece of "whittled" down wood and the other end was bent back to form a hook. (I wish I could get my hands on it... )
Today, there are several different shapes and sizes of hooks that you can choose from. Some folks even start out using a regular crochet hook. You will most likely use several different ones before you settle on the one that is right for you. It's strictly a matter of preference.
3. A frame to hold your backing tight.There are any number of frames available for rug hooking. Again, it's a matter of preference and your style of working.
I have a 92 year old friend who tucks one end of her backing under each leg and stretches it tightly. She's never used a frame of any sort and thinks it's silly of me to need and want to use one!
If you're just starting to hook and your funds are limited... you can buy a 16" embroidery hoop and clamp it to a tabletop with a "C" clamp... you need both hands to hook. However, you will find this cumbersome and spend a lot of time loosening the clamp so that you can twist and turn your project.
The most widely used frames use a metal "gripper" that holds your backing in place. The gripper makes it extremely easy to adjust your hooking area whenever needed. There are lap frames that allow you take your hooking with you wherever you go. They can rotate 360" to make hooking any area a snap. There are floor models that allow you to sit in your easy chair and adjust your frame comfortably for hooking. The gripper frames are more expensive... but they are well worth the expense.
I have several frames that I use at different times for different projects. But my favorite is the oak sit-on frame with the gripper that has a 12X16 hooking area.
4. Scissors... Any style will do for starters, but you really need a pair of embroidery scissors or a pair that has an offset handle. The bent handle allows you to get close to the hooked area to clip the ends of your wool. You'll also need a pair of regular scissors to cut your backing and wool.
Here are some "oh, I've got that already" or "that would be nice to have." things...
Mechanical wool cutter (we'll talk in detail about those in another article - but you can start by using a rotary cutter wheel) Sewing machine for attaching the rug binding... unless you want to do that by hand, which is no big deal. Steam iron for steaming your project after you're finished hooking it. Textile dyes and measuring spoons for dyeing your wool once you get HOOKED on rug hooking. (My husband loves to tell everyone that he's married to a"hooker" and "stripper"!) Misc. tools... permanent marker, ruler, tape measure, needle and thread, and tracing paper.
Folks, that's all you really need to hook a rug! I have a lot of excellent info on this fascinating craft.
Digital Camera
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