Talking about Rug Hooking Frames

Okay newbies..... you asked for it.  Now it's time to talk about frames.  Just like most of you I started out with little money spent on equipment until finding out if rug hooking was something I wanted to continue.  And, just like with cutters, there were fewer options available then than now.

My very first frame was a stitchery hoop but not the nice one which would sit in your lap that quilters use.  Mine was just the hoop with a short expandable screw.  It was rather difficult to do a two-handed task when you need one to hold the hoop.  So I placed the side of the hoop against my midriff and pressed the other side up against a table.  Not fun and hooking was slow not only because it was a new task but also the awkwardness of the hoop.

So when I decided to purchase my first used Bliss cutter I asked the teacher what kind of frame she would recommend.  At that time the supposed crème de la crème was the Puritan frame.  Since she was reducing her teaching and students, she happened to have a used Puritan frame with floor stand for sale. Now I was set.  This is a picture of a Puritan frame.

I couldn't stand the frame because mine didn't tilt and rotate.  Perhaps other ones could, but not mine and I didn't know how to go about making it rotate.  So in the attic it went when I discovered there was something new called a 'sit-upon'.  I've since sold the Puritan.

As I didn't know any USA sit-upon manufacturers I purchased one from Quilters Woodwork in Canada.  I love it, still use it when I go to camps.  That one goes with me to the sleeping room and another floor frame stays set up in the class room. 

Now there are several good quality frames and here is a picture of one offered by Searsport.  Notice the narrow paddle. 

You don't really sit on it but rather your thighs hold it secure and I was able to prop my feet up on the coffee table and hook forever.  The frame tilted and rotated as it was on a swivel ball and I was in heaven.  If only I'd gotten a bigger frame so that I wouldn't have to move my rug as much. 

And I did.  I purchased the larger 12 x 16 solid oak frame from Rughooking101.  You will notice the paddle is somewhat larger and it would be nice if they could narrow that down a smidgen, but it is a very good frame which I also continue to use.

Then later got lucky and purchased Rughooking 101's floor stand used from another hooker.  So now I had the sit-upon or could put the frame on the floor stand. 

And then the Snapdragon was born.  Oh boy does it keep your backing tight!  And yes....sigh...... I also have one of those as well as the Townsend Orbiter.  I'm having trouble with either my computer or Blogger as I'm unable to post the other pictures.  But if you follow the link you can see what the Snapdragon looks like.  Must say here tho, since there are some small magnets it is not a frame for anyone who may have a pacemaker installed.

When I first got a frame with gripper strips it was dicey at first until I learned how to move my arms and hands around the prickly strips.  If you already have gripper strips and having that issue, here are some things you can do to keep from getting scratched:

~ cut a pair of socks open at the toe area, make a small hole for the thumb and a larger area for the four fingers.  Voila, a hooking arm protector.

~  probably won't work on the snapdragon, but other gripper frames you could buy 4 paint rollers (cardboard inside not plastic), cut down one side and slide over grippers.

~ you could also either make or buy an elastic stretched gripper cover which some hookers make and sell.

Now you're thinking, "what does she do with all those frames?"  I do honestly use them all.  Not all at the same time tho.  My Townsend is used when I hook a large rug and it was fabulous when I hooked Wee Folk.  Sure wish I'd had it when I hooked Domestic Zoo.

When I go to a rug camp I usually take two frames; my snapdragon on the floor stand for the classroom and then I take a sit-upon to use in the hotel room to hook at night.  And, when my gal pals stop by for a hook-in they can use one of my frames and they don't have to worry about bringing one.

But, I have also had 3 rugs going at the same time and had all three on 3 different frames so they were ready to go when my mood changed.

I'm sure you're also wondering...... IF I could only afford one frame which would I own?  Hands down it would be the Snapdragon whether on a floor stand or sit-upon.  AND, you could buy both and use the top on either the stand or sit-upon. 

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra