Granny Geometric a/k/a Rick Rack Rug

Yesterday's post showed Eric's Rick Rack Rug and I mentioned having hooked one similar but drew it myself.  Here is mine, which is not nearly as artistic or well color planned since I pulled from my worm bags.  I named it Granny Geometric as it reminded me of crochet squares of a Granny Afghan.

Also mentioned the pattern I replicated was from an old book in my library. Decided to search thru my books to find the pattern for you.  Below is the line drawing which can be enlarged to any size you wish.

It was among numerous designs from a book purchased on-line from some source for a few bucks.  You can see it had been retired from a library ~ a book by William C. Ketchum, Jr.

During that morning search also came upon the Nova Scotia design which was Eric's mat pattern I'd admired so much.  That would be the bottom illustration below.  Think it came from a different book during my search.

Okay, I admit that I'm stalling to show in-progress rugs from camp.  Today was filled with 'car pool duties' for my neighbor's kids again, my laundry and feel like I'm catching something.   Yesterday and today I popped Echinachea and as there's no worry about picking up the kids tomorrow I'll be able to sleep better tonight.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

UFO's She Asked

Jennie (Over the Hill and Running) asked if I had any UFOs since it appears that I'm diligent in finishing projects.   The answer is yes. Last winter decided to use a small piece of linen to draw a 12" square. Plans were to use worms and make a hit and miss chair or table mat.   

Didn't like what I'd hooked, got bored and it has been hanging around since.  One day between rugs I'll pull it out and probably pull out strips and do something else.

That is the only UFO here UNLESS you consider Simple Gifts by Karen Kahle still needs to be bound completely.  I worked on it a little yesterday in the doctor's office waiting room and on Monday in the dentist waiting room.    Like Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) since binding is not fun, it is a perfect time to seize the opportunity.

And, still have some of Ned's border to finish and then bind.  But then feel my grandson's rug and Ned (Woolley Fox) were being hooked in tandem so don't think they classify as a UFO.

However....... in the past I had two rugs which stand out as long term UFOs but now finished.  

As a relatively new hooker saw a cute design by Claire Murray named Strawberry Patch on eBay. Price was good and thought it a good idea to try hooking with yarn. Learned quickly that yarn was a beast to hook with (for me) .  Not only that but the too clean, too bright colors didn't fit in my house since I have antiques.  It would look adoreable in a child's room or a chipped white cottage room.  Uh....I'll definitely sell it if anyone is interested.  Anyway, after hooking the bunnies and a couple flowers put the rug away for a couple years.  

The next to go on a very long hiatus was this geometric rug design I drew up.  Well of course my thought was to use up all those worms which seem to multiply like rabbits but soon got bored.  Think this was tucked away for like 5 years until getting motivated to use up more worms.

So my plan of action was to hook one block per day then hook something fun.  Soon a lot of the rug was hooked and was motivated to finish it.  My friend Evelyn had told me she thinks this one is a keeper and to not sell it.

If you look closely at the 'granny geo' you will see this was an early hooked rug of mine too.  At the time of starting it didn't know how to make sharp corners and many of those designs take on a shape of their own and are rounded.  I enjoy that rug now but it isn't on the floor....yet.  

Have a good evening everyone.  Am HOPING to post a finished (hooking that is) of Zach's Sports Rug tomorrow.  That is, of course, if I get off this dang computer.  Stay cool.

Saundra

How to Hook a Square Corner for Newbies

Actually it isn't just for newbies because I didn't learn this until I'd been hooking for a while.  Sometimes a design tells me to have a curved corner.  Such as this hit and miss circle mat I hooked.

But when you want the corner square there is a bit of an unknown easy step.  Forget all the sharpie changes in border line drawings......Here is a picture of an edge row at the top of my challenge rug.  I hook one hole beyond the hooking lines of the design.

Then when I continue down the left side my next loop is pulled up in one hole inside where the edge should be.  That gives a nice squared off corner because of the direction of the loops.

Below is an example of before and after I knew this valuable information of a very simplistic technique.  If you click on the picture to make it bigger you will see that some of those geometric designs are squiggly and irregular.  THEN, there are some which have sharp and crisp edges.  Yupper, that is the before and after I learned how to make sharp corners.  

Have a great evening folks.  Temperatures mild today and tomorrow is better.  Wish I could afford the time to cut (mulch) leaves in my huge yard but the countdown is on preparing to leave for rug camp.  Did manage to rake some leaves today but other chores are beckoning me now.

Saundra

Rugs in Review 2014

My but how time flies and will soon have to remember to write 2015 on checks instead of 2014.  Another year older and hard to believe almost 8 years has passed since the divorce.

Something that I like to do now is look back at the rugs I've hooked over the last year.  A few years ago I started keeping a list of the rugs completed during the year as it is fun to reflect back on them and memories associated with the time hooking. 

The first one finished in 2014 was an adaptation of a Harriet Powers quilt block which I named 500 Mile Betts.  I gifted it to my dear friend Evelyn Lawrence since she admired it so much and knew it would have a good home with her.

Next was Magdalena's Lollipop Bouquet and must say this one was on top of the list as one of the most fun.  It was fun trying to replicate Magdalena's colors while using up a lot of my left overs and with some cut wool for consistency in the neutral background and base.

Then was the project which wins 'greatest accomplishment' of several years of hooking..... that would be the completion of the damn Granny Geometric which had been started about 10 years earlier.  I'd pull it out, hook one block and back in the tote it would go for another year or 5.  Happy to say it is done and bound ~ again using up a lot of left over strips.

The Chicken Challenge was offered by Woolwrights Hooking Guild  and I jumped on the chance to get a free antique adaptation pattern.  This too was fun to make mine different from the original and have blotchy background.

When perusing Pinterest I found a wonderful rug hanging on the wall in a cabin.  I knew it appeared to have the age of a copywrite free rug but didn't know who owned it.  And some of the images were hard to decipher so guessed they were birds on the sides.  Once I learned who  owned the rug I wrote for permission to hook it, sell the patterns and received permission.  I named the pattern The Cat's Meow because as I had over dyed wool to give an aged look and as the rug came to be it was THE Cat's meow.

Next was Magdalena's Farm; building up quite number of Magdalena's rugs.  Soon I'll have as many as Evelyn Lawrence who did all the research and who has hooked all her rugs.

Then I wanted to have another antique adaptation pattern to offer for sale so hooked Pot of Flowers.  A picture with a flash and one without.  Makes a huge difference in the way they appear on the monitor.

After that I had two commission pieces to do which were rather large.  I listed them as something I hooked but they weren't mine to keep and received payment for my work.  The names of the patterns and client will remain anonomoyous.

Lucky to win a Duluth Pumpkin kit from generous Maria Barton of Star Rug company I hooked this next; thank you very much Maria.  Love those button eyes that came with.

Okay, so then wishing I owned some of those antique Jack-O-Lanterns I knew growing up, decided I needed to design my own Fall/Halloween pattern and came up with "Mache' Jack-O-Lanterns"

Always needing something else to have on my frame chose to hook Magdalena's Folk Art horse next.  Yup, those Magdalena rugs are mounting up here Evelyn.

OOPS, while going thru my photos realized I hadn't put Ali Katz on my 2014 list (it's there now tho).  Guess that is because still some defining lines need to put in around parts of some of the cats.  But it was hooked and bound in this year.  I have already sold one pattern and can't wait to see she chose to hook it and hope to get a picture.  I understand it won't be worked on until next spring/summer but am still looking forward to it.

Last year just before Christmas I saw what Maria was working on and that little Jolly drove me crazy.  Just had to have him so purchased it from Star Rug Company.  Yeah, did a change or two to make him my boy Jolly.  I love him Maria and he is sitting on my sofa table right now.

And recently last loops were pulled on Magdalena's Olde Ducks.  Even tho it hasn't been bound yet still consider it hooked in 2014.  Perhaps during the start up of 2015 and during the slow time of this remaining holiday the binding will get done.

EEK, I forgot to mention my 'detour' project of hooking arm chair covers for my computer chair.  It wasn't a big project but was hooking nonetheless.

Now all that remains of my hooking in 2014 is Cherries and Candy Stripe which I will show you tomorrow with a bit more of an update.

Have a great evening everyone and may all your loops be perfect.

Saundra

One Hooked and Another One Bound

Who'da thunk I really would have finished hooking this Granny Geometric?  Not me; as I was sure it would go to the thrift store unfinished.  All the hooking is done, the pre-binding stitching and trimming done all around and will wait its turn to be bound since the Chicken Challenge rug will be next.  That is when I'm in the mood or while waiting to pick up my grandson at school it will be started.

Also finished binding the 500 Mile Betts rug I adapted from a Harriet Powers quilt block.  The binding was done a few minutes at a time while waiting to get my grandson from school. But today decided to finish it.

And thanks to Lauren of Rugs and Pugs for showing me how she did her last rug label.  She wrote the date, name, etc. with a silver Sharpie and wrote it on a piece of cotton binding.  She then attached it to the rug.  I thought that was a great idea so purchased a bronze Sharpie and put the information on my binding but hers was much neater.  Sure wish I'd been more careful to have the letters all the same and spacing between words applied better.  Guess it is obvious I'm not a teacher ~ I've never seen a teacher who didn't have the most perfect printing and cursive ever.  Unless it was a draftsman.

Now I'm pulling a couple loops on the penny circle mat and tomorrow will start out fresh on my new project.  Have a fabulous evening and hope you all have a great week.

Saundra

Going in Circles and UFO Geo Project

This morning when I went perusing my favorite blogs I was reminded by Alice that there was an unattended project in my midst.  Since I've been on a mission to rid myself of the geo project (hmmm, has a sort of secret under cover, obscure, CIA or ufo influence in those words, right?)  I'm liking that UFO Geo Project term more and more and changing the subject line on my post right now.

Anyway, Alice of a Day in the Life posted her circle rug and now I'm wanting to get back to mine but am otherwise being held captive.  Good going Alice and please show us the finale.

Some other circle rugs which I've not shown before are coming up.  So perhaps some of these will inspire you to 'de-worm' also.  But as hard as I'm trying to rid myself of some of these worms it doesn't seem as tho I'm making a whole lot of progress. 

Here is a chair pad with circle type "Tree of Life" design to use up worms.

And this is a great vintage (I think) hit and miss circle rug.  She made do and used up her worms as well. 

So now an update on my Geo Project.  As I look at the rug it is noticeable to me that not all block outlines were hooked in black or really dark wool ~ I also see blues and greys.  OMG, so now do I UN HOOK those lighter outlines and replace with black?  For sure I could use those blues in the remaining blocks but then I'd be taking one step forward and two back.  YIKES.  Oh well, in the olden days "she would have used what she had"....right?  So guess I'll just keep on going on.  I've got plans for hooking something after the geo.  Keep tuned and I'll tell ya and show you all about it.

Have a great evening, give your family of people or pets a kiss and spread joy.  HUGE hugs to everyone.

Saundra

Granny Geometric Update

A year ago, if, someone had told me I'd be this far along on the rug I'd never have believed them.  It actually looks like it will really could be completed before going to Woolley Fox rug camp in May. WOOHOO.

For the heck of it I started hooking a third row of border to see if I want two rows or three rows of hooking.  It is hardly noticeable at the bottom because only a couple inches in length was hooked, plus when I was spreading the rug out on the floor for the photo my hand got caught in the wool strip and pulled out some loops.  At first glance it looks like 3 rows would frame it better so just might continue all the way around.

Think I'll continue hooking on this for at least the rest of the evening instead of moving to the penny circle mat. 

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

Hooked Penny Mat Update

This morning I was on a roll with that never-ending Granny Geo rug on my frame then realized today was when I was to post an update on the hooked penny rug mat.  Oops.  This is what it looks like at the moment.

Since the penny rug mat is smaller perhaps my time would be better served hooking on the Granny Geometric.  Otherwise the penny mat would be finished first.

I WILL really be happy when the Granny Geo is done.  I'm going to rug camp May 18th so better get my mind and hands geared up for the tasks to be done before then.  What a great sense of accomplishment I'd have if I can pull it off.

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

Granny Geometric Update

A couple more blocks have been hooked on the granny Geo and I'm a little more than halfway done, believe it or not.  Frankly never thought I'd ever get this far ~ even tho it was started over 10 years ago.  Just figured it would be one of those projects started and put on e-bay or given to the thrift store for someone else to finish.  But it actually seems as tho I will finish it.  I think the encouragement from you folks has inspired me to keep on going on, thank you all for that encouragement.

You may also notice that I have done the pre-binding sewing of two rows of straight stitch and one row of zig zag.  I'm unsure if I'll do one more row hooking on the border.  But if so it won't make a huge difference in the excess which will be turned under the binding.  And it does look like it may need another row of border hooked to frame it better.

And yes, I have also worked a little more on my hooked penny mat and will show you an update on that tomorrow.

Hope you all have a great evening and all your snow has melted.

Saundra