When Real Estate is Slow in Cary NC I Turn to HOOKING!
When Real Estate is slow in Cary NC I turn to hooking! With the kids off to college I find the late afternoons, that used to be filled with kid activities, now offer free time. That's right I turned to hooking. It gives me a creative outlet, keeps me occupied, and is relaxing.
I was talking about Rug Hooking. Not, Latch Hook Rugs that you find in the craft stores. I'm talking about the textile art form that started generations ago as a way to use up wool scraps.
Today the art is practiced by people all over the country in Rug Hooking Guilds that meet on a regular basis to share techniques and tricks.
I began with a group in Cary NC about the year 2000 when my neighbor got me "hooked". Lot of puns available. Below are just two of many projects:
Here's how it works:
- A basic design outline is drawn on a loose weave fabric called monks cloth or burlap.
- Wool is dyed in kettles with high end color-safe dyes.
- Dying techniques are innumerable and actually fun if you can get past the smell of wet wool and vinegar.
- Wool is hand cut in various size strips, depending on the design.
- The strips are generally 3-6 centimeters. The more intricate the design the smaller the cut.
- Cutters are a must. The wool is fed through the cutter, generally cutting 3-4 strips at a time.
- The backing is stretched over a frame so its taunt. Much like a cross stitcher's loop.
- The strips of wool are looped through the backing using a hook.
- That's the general principal.
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When Real Estate is Slow in Cary NC I Turn to HOOKING! was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com - a blog by Linda Lohman
Pretty funny! The rugs you displayed are beautiful, I hope you keep enjoying it!
Thanks for the post
wow! your work is beautiful!
Linda, sorry but I most certainly "went there". Seriously, they really are beautiful too much to actually be a rug...they would look great hanging on a wall.
I figured I'd use a tease to get folks to read.
Linda,
I wondered where you were going with that title. :)
Mike in Tucson
Linda, what a creative way to spend your free time - you are creating beautiful art. My kids are only 10 and 11 years old, but I may just try Hooking in a few years, when they leave for college - I will need something to occupy my time. But wait, I cannot draw - that may be a major obstacle to practicing Hooking. Right?