Fun Wool Info from Teachers

Yesterday I posted a picture of the new project I'm working on as well as the wool below.

The first fun information is about that very light piece at the center top. One year in a class with Eric Sandberg he demonstrated how to dye what he called "Birch Bark".  That is what I'm planning to use as the tallowberries.  IF you would like to read the tutorial I did on my blog back in 2012, click HERE. 

The next fun thing I learned and also answered a question which always haunted me was about those ripped edges of wool with the eyelash.  In the past I would trim them off thinking of them as not being desirable or true to traditional rug hooking.  Until......My last class with Barb when I was hooking Simple Gifts.

 

Honestly don't remember which piece of wool in that rug above had a bit of an eyelash.  But Barb volunteered the information that she will often leave that fringe eyelash on to give the appearance of an old rug which is worn.  OMG!!!!!!  That is something which had haunted me forever.  That was a release, a freedom and acceptance of my inner thoughts.  Thank you Barb.

I thought that a 'purest' hell, do you think I'm a purest rug hooker HAR HAR HAR.  But to get the validation that it was okay to leave it on from a hooking icon like Barb Carroll!!!!  You kidding me!  I was over the moon happy.  

So you are wondering what that has to do with this rug, right?  That would be this piece of wool and others which are hooked in the turkey.

The eyelash on this wool is far longer than what was in the piece of wool on Simple Gifts.  Most of the wool on the blue chest of the turkey and all of the wool on the wing were both from Dorr (who has no more of this wool) and Barb Carroll who may have more.  It is a boucle which doesn't rip well but has a nice look.  So you decide and contact Barb if you want some.  

So thought it might be fun to have that eyelash around the tender underparts of my turkey legs and the edge of the wing.  Am sure it will show up more once the dark background is hooked in.

So for all you guys and gals who wondered if you needed to be anal and trim off those threads of weave ~ worry no more.  Unless, of course you're a purest.  In which case you aren't reading my blog anyway. Have fun with hooking.  

Have a great evening.... I'm sweltering here.  High heat and high humidity.  Hope you are comfy where you are.  Thankfully I've A/C this July.

Saundra