Can You Hook on Wool

I love it when a follower asks me a question.  This morning in my email was a question about whether or not one can hook on wool.  Kindly she commented she values my opinion so thought to ask before taking the "I can do that" attitude and buying something she can't.  

Truth is you can hook on wool if it is the right kind of wool.  While I've never hooked on wool (until today) did buy this cute pocket type purse on ebay from a hooker who did a great job.  It is fully lined and she did a great job hooking thru the wool.  I've had this pocket a few years and do not remember from whom it was purchased.  But if the person who made it would comment I'll give you credit and compliment you personally on your work and my enjoyment.

So today I pulled out a piece of wool which was a hookable wool but is woven very tight so was not fun to pull loops thru.

Even using my hartman hook and pushing it up the the thick shank it was difficult and even sounded like I was using a punchneedle on cotton.

When I removed the loops you can see the smaller holes where I struggled to pull loops and in the stem is where I pushed the shank all the way in to pull them.

When I took my thumb and rubbed back and forth to freshen the wool you can see some threads of the wool were split.  Again it was a tight weave and it had been a piece of clothing so not sure if it was a wool mix or not, but am guessing so.

Pulled another piece of wool which is hookable.  Originally it was a cream color with dashes which is overdyed.  Me thinks this is a Rebecca Erb wool, but am sure several providers offer hookable wool. Pulling loops on this piece of wool was effortless.

 

When the loops were pulled out you can see where the hooking took place.

But when I rubbed the area with my thumb you can barely see any distress at all.  This would be important in the event you wanted to reverse hook a motif.  You'd want a sturdy, easy and heal-able piece of wool on which to hook.  This was such a piece.

Recently I saw this beauty posted on Facebook.  The foundation is dyed primitive linen by Ali Strebel and hooked by Karen Thompson.

And my dear friend Deb hooked and gifted this one below to me.  It is a better grade of burlap which was already dyed when purchased from a jobber.

So what I learned today in my mini-research is that I wouldn't hesitate hooking on wool if a hookable wool.  Yet, wouldn't want to waste that wool UNLESS it was the perfect color or textured background for the project.

IF you are considering buying a kit from someone ask to see the wool which will be used for the foundation fabric.  Also, there are several reputable people who sell wool, sell kits, experienced hookers and know which wool works for foundation hooking.  The people at Heavens to Betsy, The Wool Studio (ask for Rebecca), and Dorr are experienced sellers so would know immediately which wool would be good to use as a foundation.  

Teachers should also have a working knowledge and experience with hooking on their wool.  So ask for examples.  Or if you are at a camp ask the teacher to show you what a strip of wool hooks in a piece of wool you are interested in buying.   

Remember, you hold the purse.  You are the buyer and you want to know what you are getting.

Don't know if any of this has helped anyone else but it was a fun experiment for me.  So readers, or FOLLOWERS (hopefully) please feel free to ask questions.  Must mention tho, if you use GOOGLE and post your question I'll bet you get lots of links to numerous choices and not just mine.  Not that I'm trying to chase you away, but to give you options.

Hope you have a great evening everyone, TGIF.  But for me every day is a weekend.

Saundra

A Question from A Follower

Thank you Glenda for asking this question:

• Ok a question from a newbie? When I see pillows with designs such as a pumpkin hooked directly on the wool , is a piece of wool the foundation cloth? Didn't know if it is hooked directly or hooked and sewed on.

 

Here is a tote that I made a few years ago, as a relatively newbie hooker.  My foundation was really cheap burlap and now wish I'd used a nicer burlap because there are big gaps here and there in the weaving.  But after the small amount of hooking was done I assembled the tote and lined it with a tea colored muslin.  Side one...

The other side.

Inside.

The pattern and instructions came from this booklet called "Collections", a Kindred Spirits publication.  So if you sew and would like your own tote, you can purchase the book from Ali HERE.

Here is another example of hooking on wool.  This was purchased on e-bay and I was quite the lucky girl as the woman who made this did a nice job.  The wool she hooked on was a suitable wool for hooking so hooking thru regular wool could work if you have a hook with a broad shank like a Harman.  LOVE my Hartman Hooks and wish I got a penny for each time I mentioned their name.  Matter of fact this cute thing will go with me to Cape May and I'll put my wallet and room key inside when I go shopping. The colors are right for fall.

When in the doll making mood I made this doll and hooked the flowers on an unsuitable hooking weight wool from a piece of clothing purchased at my local thrift shop (after the wool was washed and dried).  At that time of buying the wool didn't realize that because there was polyester and other stuff mixed with the wool it wouldn't be suitable for hooking.  So, used it as the foundation.

Well, thought for sure I had a picture of the doll I made but can't find it.  Made one the same as pictured on the Kindred Spirits booklet AND also made one with hooked flowers in the front of the dress instead of penny flowers.  So wool can be used to hook on as foundation cloth.

 

There is also Verel.  This is a piece I received from Jeanette (now departed) from Fraser Rugs.  When anyone ordered something during the holiday months Jeanette made sure something for free was put in the order.  One day I'm going to hook this in remembrance of her.  BTW, Fraser Rugs is still a customer friendly mom and pop company.  If you own a Fraser cutter or Bliss you can be sure to get excellent and speedy professional work.

You can see how loosely it is woven and would be great to hook on and think verel comes in different colors but since I've never ordered any don't know for sure. 

Not sure who in the states sells verel think it is more widely known in Canada. 

 

Oh, and Glenda, you are also right in that people do hook a design on a foundation of their choice and stitch it onto the wool of choice for their pillow or other project.  So experiment and do what inspires you by using what you have and what you have in mind. 

 

Really, there is no right or wrong ~ only results.  When I look at some of the textile works of people I'm in awe because they push the envelope.   

 

Guess it is time to take my boy out and get back to doing what I need to prepare to leave for Cape May on Sunday morning.  Have a great evening and I'll post something tomorrow too.  So for now TA TA!

 

Saundra