Whipping With Wool Yarn Part 2

I'd forgotten just how labor intensive (time wise) this process is. Maybe that is why most of the time I choose binding tape. Wanted to start my new hooking project this weekend but am pretty darn sure it won't happen tomorrow either.

But at least I'm on my way to finishing this one so moving on to the next is in the near future.   

Only the left side and around two corners have been whipped.  I'm to blame for stopping and starting, getting on the computer to check emails, fast forwarding during commercials to watch recorded shows. But hey...I'll be here again tomorrow (I hope) so no need to rush. Afterall, every day is a weekend for me since retiring several years ago.

So now will share with you the formula as to how much yarn is needed to bind a rug. Must admit that I had to call on my gal pal Kris Miller to remind me so am posting it on my blog.  That way not only you will know but when I forget can do a 'search' on my very own blog, lol.

The hank of wool below is what I'm using to bind the rug.  It was purchased from Ali Strebel at Cape May rug camp but she also offers yarn on her web site.  

The FORMULA... It takes 12" (one foot) of yarn to whip 1".  Yes, sad but true.

This rug measures 22 x 47 which equates to 138" times 12" of yarn to whip around......OR 1,656" of yarn required.    Yup, but think you'd want a tad more to cover those corners and to tuck the ends of the yarn under.  So would want a tad more than that.

The hank of yarn above measures 28" (almost 29) and it is on a round so times 2.  There are 39 strands of yarn.  So the calculations are:

28 x 2 = 56" TIMES 39 strands = 2,184" of yarn required for whipping this rug.  So there IS plenty of yarn.

THIS WOOL YARN is thick so am using a single strand to whip with. So am wondering if using a thinner piece of wool yarn and doubled would require twice the amount.   I'm not sure because I've only whipped with either thick (bulky) wool or with cut wool strips.  The remainder of the time I've done the wide wool covered cording or cotton binding.  

Have a great Saturday evening folks.  You may not hear from me tomorrow unless this marathon binding is completed.

Saundra

Last Loops Pulled

Yes, the last loops were pulled on the Horse Trainer, an antique adaptation of a rug originally hooked by Julia Eastman Stubbs of Maine. She hooked it around 1860.  I chose the right side of the rug as my project since I had a horse as a teen.  Although I didn't use a whip it was depicted in the original rug.

Now the rug needs to be bound ~~ and not my favorite thing to do.  Yet it is part of the process unless you have the revenue to afford someone else to do that part for you.  UH.... I don't.

I'm considering whipping this with wool purchased from Ali at Cape May rug camp but not sure if there is enough.  

The rug measures 22 x 47.  The round yank of wool measures 28" long and there are 39 strands. 

OMG,  seems I've got to call on my math skills here.... hmmm...

.....yarn 28" long X 2 = 56"  ~  Times 39 strands round.

Me thinks me needs to ponder this a little more and recall my math skills to see if I have enough.  

Have a great Friday evening.

Saundra

Time to Whip It

Today I decided to tip my toes in and test whipping with the red wool. I've whipped the edges of other rugs but always with the knowledge there was plenty of that color wool available.  Since the red wool was a special gift from a friend who has passed and this was the only hank, wanted to be sure there was enough.

Kris Miller and several people assured me there was enough and some left over.  Kris said it takes 12" of yarn to whip a 1" area.

So this morning I measured out a piece of the yarn and marked it with a black Sharpie at a 12" point and decided to try.  After all I didn't want to run out of yarn if my 'roll' was too thick or my whipping was closer than normal thus used up more yarn.

Woohoo, 1" so looks like I'm good.  But then how much would be used up with the 'tacking' or back stitch to secure the end of the yarn??  So now I'll be careful not to be wasteful.

Am taking the bull by the horns and going for it.  In the past I've sometimes used a cord and sometimes not.  Decided to go for the cord this time.  Hopefully, as this wool yarn is special (spun AND dyed by my departed friend Lesley Coveney) I'll have enough to finish then always have a memory of her labor and friendship.  Look how perfect her wool and the scallop border are together.

On Facebook I saw some clips that Nancy Parcels was using and they would be perfect for this project.  Wish they were here for me to use now.  Those red clips are made from Clover and Nancy said she got them at AC Moore.  There may just be a trip to AC Moore for me tomorrow.

This is what I accomplished this afternoon and will continue with this in the morning.  

Meanwhile, tonight...... I'm going to plop an already hooked project on my sit-upon since it is a smaller frame.  Recently went into the 'show' containers and found a cute mat which was hooked a few years ago and didn't sell at a show.  I'd even forgotten it was there.  So now I'm going to give it new life and perhaps even list it on etsy when changed.

Stay tuned to see what this is as the change will be done tonight and you'll see what it is in tomorrow's post.

Be kind to one another folks, we need more positive in the world and hopefully that would be contagious....more kindness and less anger.

Saundra

Whipped Wool Yarn Binding

Well it is that unpleasant chore each of us find ourselves in after enjoying the hooking process. Yup, time to bind the *bleeping* rug.  First thing I did was draw a line 1 1/2" away from the last row of hooking.  Then two rows of straight sewing machine stitches (1/4" apart) were done along that line all round.  Next was one row of zig zag stitch between those two rows of straight stitching.  That extra step connected all three rows together and made it more stable.  After that I trimmed away the excess.

Sorry about the next picture's flash back, but since the camera was close to the subject it is showing up all washed out.  I wanted you to see the corner up close.

Then I rolled the foundation FORWARD and did a running whip stitch using inexpensive thick crochet thread to hold the roll in place.  There is no cord inside as the 1 1/2" foundation rolled makes it quite substantial.  Although it is double work, I find it much easier to whip stitch the edge when it is confined and not fighting to control both the shape of the roll but the wool yarn.

Now to the wool yarn ~ I'm using Halcyon yarn and started whipping at the corner.  Hate hooking the corners because it requires more attention to be sure the area of the curve is covered so sometimes I whip in the same hole (toward the rug) sometimes I move the needle up toward the top to cover an area which shows foundation.  You get a feel for what it needs or if over done.  Sometimes I've even removed a spot of whipping to make it nicer.  Once that corner is turned it is smooth sailing until you get to the next 3 corners.

 

This is the front top left.  Again sorry for the flash back.

And that same corner on the back side. 

Tomorrow afternoon I have a doctor's appointment so I've got a little something to keep me entertained during the waiting room process.  This is when binding a rug becomes more enjoyable ~ when I need something constructive to do during the boring doctor wait.

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra