| Hooking rugs is one of the few hobbies that DOES | | | | limited... you can buy a 16" embroidery hoop and clamp |
| NOT actually require a lot of supplies. As a matter of | | | | it to a tabletop with a "C" clamp... you need both hands |
| fact, it's probably the least expensive hobby you'll ever | | | | to hook. However, you will find this cumbersome and |
| do. No... forget that! If you're like me, you'll find tons of | | | | spend a lot of time loosening the clamp so that you |
| wool that you simply MUST HAVE for some future | | | | can twist and turn your project. |
| project and every time you find a new pattern, well... | | | | The most widely used frames use a metal "gripper" |
| you NEED that one too! | | | | that holds your backing in place. The gripper makes it |
| Seriously, there are only 3 or 4 items that you need to | | | | extremely easy to adjust your hooking area whenever |
| start your first project: | | | | needed. There are lap frames that allow you take |
| 1. You must have a "backing" fabric and wool | | | | your hooking with you wherever you go. They can |
| strips.The most common backings are burlap, Monk's | | | | rotate 360" to make hooking any area a snap. There |
| cloth, or a special type of Linen fabric. | | | | are floor models that allow you to sit in your easy |
| I would strongly suggest that you stick to 100% wool | | | | chair and adjust your frame comfortably for hooking. |
| or at worst 80% wool. Check with your Salvation | | | | The gripper frames are more expensive... but they are |
| Army or Abilities Unlimited stores for some good buys | | | | well worth the expense. |
| on wool. Buy only slacks and skirts. Jackets and | | | | I have several frames that I use at different times for |
| blazers have an iron-on interfacing in them | | | | different projects. But my favorite is the oak sit-on |
| everywhere except the very back and the sleeves. | | | | frame with the gripper that has a 12X16 hooking area. |
| The residue from the iron-on makes them almost | | | | 4. Scissors... Any style will do for starters, but you really |
| useless. So unless you find an unusual color (pink, | | | | need a pair of embroidery scissors or a pair that has |
| yellow, green or aqua) stay away from the jackets | | | | an offset handle. The bent handle allows you to get |
| and blazers. | | | | close to the hooked area to clip the ends of your wool. |
| 2. You need a hook.When my mother hooked rugs, | | | | You'll also need a pair of regular scissors to cut your |
| her hook was made out of a nail that had been driven | | | | backing and wool. |
| into a piece of "whittled" down wood and the other | | | | Here are some "oh, I've got that already" or "that |
| end was bent back to form a hook. (I wish I could get | | | | would be nice to have." things... |
| my hands on it... ) | | | | - Mechanical wool cutter (we'll talk in detail about those |
| Today, there are several different shapes and sizes | | | | in another article - but you can start by using a rotary |
| of hooks that you can choose from. Some folks even | | | | cutter wheel) |
| start out using a regular crochet hook. You will most | | | | - Sewing machine for attaching the rug binding... unless |
| likely use several different ones before you settle on | | | | you want to do that by hand, which is no big deal. |
| the one that is right for you. It's strictly a matter of | | | | - Steam iron for steaming your project after you're |
| preference. | | | | finished hooking it. |
| 3. A frame to hold your backing tight.There are any | | | | - Textile dyes and measuring spoons for dyeing your |
| number of frames available for rug hooking. Again, it's | | | | wool once you get HOOKED on rug hooking. (My |
| a matter of preference and your style of working. | | | | husband loves to tell everyone that he's married to |
| I have a 92 year old friend who tucks one end of her | | | | a"hooker" and "stripper"!) |
| backing under each leg and stretches it tightly. She's | | | | - Misc. tools... permanent marker, ruler, tape measure, |
| never used a frame of any sort and thinks it's silly of | | | | needle and thread, and tracing paper. |
| me to need and want to use one! | | | | Folks, that's all you really need to hook a rug! I have a |
| If you're just starting to hook and your funds are | | | | lot of excellent info on this fascinating craft. |