QUESTIONS FROM A FOLLOWER

Those questions were: what size cut of wool and what size hook do I use?  The other was, do I skip every other hole and row?  Thank you, Colleen, for the questions and hope to satisfactorily answer them for you.

My go to cut is #8.5 but any given pattern I’ll mix sizes when and where needed.  That said I have also hooked a couple narrow cut mats in #3 cut but don't plan to do another as that cut is not for me.  I have used wider cuts and even hand torn, but you'd usually find me using #8.5.

The Hartman thick shank is my favorite hook and the one I use most and have a few in case one goes missing.  Occasionally when doing a narrow cut outline I'll use a more narrow shank with a less sharp point, and you can see I still have my very first hook, a Moshimer.   

As for spacing of holes there are a lot of variables.  I hook on primitive linen which accommodates wide strips.  Spacing is also determined by thickness and size of wool strip and whether hooking straight down the row hooking or curvature.  When I hook in a straight line I usually skip two holes from the last loop then pull a loop.  

In this photo below I'm about to go around the curve so you can see I pushed my shank in a hole to open it up if I was to hook straight.  Since I'm working around a curve I would count two holes and the third count would be to the left of that hole making it closer to the motif and more rounded.  OR, perhaps it would be more eye appealing if the count was diagonal spaces toward the curvature instead of the 1, 2, shift on the 3rd.

As to how many holes away from the last row ~ usually four rows .  BUT, again that is dependent on whether the wool is a thin flimsy wool, fulled wool, narrow cut, etc.  Could be that only 3 spaces away would work better in that scenario. 

I remember an early class Bev Conway telling us that the top of the loop should look rounded, not squished flat, so the light can pick up the color.  And you should see an opening in the loop.  This photo below is a very poor shot and hard to see an opening on the dark wool.  But just inside you can see the rounded loops of the lighter colored wool (an #8 cut) for the vine lines.  If you click on the photo it will enlarge.

FYI, that #8 wool strip was hooked skipping the same amount of holes as the #8.5.  Sometimes when pulling up a loop it may not look just right so reduce the number of holes or move over another hole.  Direction hooking, composition of the wool and size all influence how it looks.  Your eye will decide....hook on and have fun.

Hopefully I've answer your questions but if anyone has something they'd like my input on please reach out in the EMAIL ME section on my blog.  

Happy hooking.  

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

AH! MORNING SHOWER and COFFEE

Oh boy this morning shower was wonderful after not getting one yesterday with no electricity.  And a treat to have coffee this morning while doing my thing on the computer.  Already looks like it's going to be a delightful day.

Now to my accomplishments ... make that lack of, or at least a snail's pace when it comes to binding Animals Great and Small.  Hooking this rug was a joy with every loop pulled.  Binding is another matter and in order to completely finish the rug am only willing to allot an hour a day (during The Five TV news show) to work on that task.  So basically only two sides are done ~ one long side and a short side.  Will bind again today during The Five with a glass of wine to ease the drudgery. 

The new rug on my frame might endure set-back but will wait and see.  This first photo shows the flowers too dark and not how it looks in person.  

Another photo taken from a different camera, again not what the dang rug looks like in person.  But at least you can see there are flowers and buds.

This is the wool used and a piece I'd considered ugly before, but thought it might do the job for the big flowers and the buds.  Once again not depicting the true colors.  Will hook a little more and finally decide the fate of the flowers.

Yesterday the wind was still howling and local news said the sustained winds were 45mph.  While I did get most of the mess cleaned up around my deck, it was scary being outside with strong winds with me under and around trees.  Couldn't wait to get back safely inside.

Saundra
www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

WHAT A WAY TO START A DAY

Yesterday brought heavy hard rain and forceful winds all day up to 50mph with higher gusts.  While hooking I heard a THUMP so knew a limb had fallen onto my deck.  And thankfully power was still on when I went to bed.

But at dark O'clock when I woke to go to the bathroom it was pitch black and had to feel my way there.  Had no idea what time it was.  Then daylight came and still didn't know what time it was as there was no working clock and my iPad was in the kitchen.

Got out of bed, checked the iPad and it was 6:40 am.  Couldn't take a shower, no hot water.  Couldn't make coffee, no water and no electric.  The house was getting chilly but it usually is when I wake up until the heat is increased.  Finally about 9 am the power came on and could eat my oatmeal but missed my morning coffee in tandem with the internet fix.  In checking the thermostat the temp in the house was 59* so turned up the heat.

And my task today is to remove these limbs and those others around the yard.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com 

WHAT I'M WORKING ON

Some of you may wonder which rug was chosen as my next project.  This choice may shock you, as it did two of my gal pals.  I decided to do something a little different than another horse rug, although they are my favorite animal to hook.  Deer Torsos was my pick ~ below is the antique and will show you my progress in a couple days.

Before drawing the deer pattern on linen I did start my 'plus one' since I couldn't decide what to hook.  It happens to be the same design Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) is working on.  And this is all that was accomplished on Ezra's Farm before making that decision on the deer ~ yup, a horse.

Today I'll resume my slow binding of AG&S during The Five news show. I took the weekend off from binding, hey, don't want to overdo it 😁.   Friend Robin (Cranky Crow) and I have shared long distance bind-a-longs at that time and as you can see I've still quite a lot more to do.  Perhaps if Lauren gets Ezra's Farm completely hooked today she will join us.

Happy hooking ~ or happy binding.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

RUG HOOKING CHIT CHAT

There may be a pattern order from a customer after the weekend.  A week or so ago she reached out showing me two antique rugs she was interested in.  One was a beautiful red bird with red flowers.

We chatted about sizes and then she contacted me saying she was interested in this floral antique instead.  Since she was leaving Wednesday (past) for an antique show I suggested she confirm which she wants when returning home this weekend.  After all, she just might see another antique rug she likes more and I don't want to draw anything on linen for naught.  

So now lets get to the elephant in the room ~ I need an antique fix since Animals Great and Small is all hooked.  But am having a difficult time finding a rug that makes my heart skip a beat.  Yes, I do have a 'plus one' which I've started but want a project that I'm excited about.  Here are the ones I'm considering.

Have hooked a number of Magdalena designs but not this Double Rooster rug.  If I do this one it would go on my kitchen floor.

Then was gravitated toward this antique Chicken Pair to go in that spot.  

Was still eyeing this horse rug.

This Deer Torsi, a 19th century hooked rug also caught my eyes.

I cropped the busy border off this antique horse rug previously shown, which is also in the running.  

After all that, I've made a decision.  Now I have a 'main event' and a 'plus one' guest when needed.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com