The Eagle Rug

This is my latest hooked rug which is an adaptation of an old rug I saw in a book.  I love this rug.  I found it in the book "American Hooked and Sewn Rugs" by Joel and Kate Kopp.  It was a rug made between 1803 and 1812 according to the 17 stars which probably represents Ohio.  It was yarn sewn on linen and the original was 36" x 69".  I loved the colors, the circles, the eagle and the use of pink in the flowers and bits of the circles.  The red is more of an orange and the blue is not a navy.  Maybe the colors faded over the 200 years but as it is now, the colors are appealing to me.  Not your typical eagle rug.  Then I found the pattern for this early 1800's rug in the book "The Rug Hook Book" edited by Thom Boswell.  I tried to follow the colors as much as possible, however the blue that was used in the original was more of a cadet blue, I just couldn't find the right formula to dye the wool.  This is my favorite rug I have hooked so far.  If you want to see the original rug, it is found on page 21 of "American Hooked and Sewn Rugs".
Happy Hooking

Just catching up . . .

Wow, time flies by.  My 'Farmer in the Dell' has been finished for quite some time now.  Finished size 28x46, and glad it is done.   I didn't mind hooking the animals so much as the faces of the family.  I must have reworked them 5 times a piece.

I was inspired by the November/December 2012 Issue of Rug Hooking Magazine's article on the Sincerely Jane Rugs, especially one hooked by Saundra of Woodland Junction.  See her blog here.  I loved her style, colors, and the border she used is fabulous.  I tried to make my version as different as possible, and in looking at hers against mine . . she wins big time.   My rug is much smaller with 15 blocks to her 28 blocks.  Saundra's is definitely more charming and more of a quilt feel with the extra blocks she hooked.  I used #8 cuts and my favorite colors with the background of a tan and cream check wool giving it a worn look.  As I look at the picture, I notice two 9 patch blocks on the bottom row.  I may change one of them, then again I may not.  Oh well, you can see a lot from taking a picture of your work!  If you want a fun rug to hook and very little color planning, try a Sincerely Jane Rug. 

I finally tried my hand at punch needle.  I had bought this kit by Brenda Gervais because I fell in love with with the little bunnies.  However, I was so intimidated by actually punching it that I just enlarged the pattern a little and hooked a small mat (see earlier post here).  After finishing the Sincerely Jane Rug and not wanted to start another rug just yet, I pulled out the needle punch and kit and dove in.  It is amazingly simple and goes very quickly.  I found the perfect frame and easel at Hobby Lobby . . . 50% off.  I have another one of Brenda's patterns (they are just so stinkin' cute) called "6" Ditty Pocket".  And so, I have added yet another new hobby to my list of things I don't really have time to do.

Happy Hooking!

"Easter Egg Hunt"

This sweet design is by Brenda Gervais and entitled "Easter Egg Hunt".  It is a Punchneedle Design from 'With Thy Needle and Thread' that I enlarged to rug hook.  The actual punchneedle design is 4 1/2 by 7 1/2 and I enlarged it to hook a small mat 12 1/2 by 19 1/2.  Brenda Gervais' designs are so charming.  I have bought another of her designs entitled "Wool Pocket" that has a cute lamb on it.  I have not tried my hand at needlepunch yet, but I certainly enjoyed hooking this little mat.

Happy Hooking.