Thanksgiving Blessings

Wishing All A Very Happy Thanksgiving ~L

Cozying Up with a GREAT book...

My friend...poet...mystery writer...rug hooker...Mary Logue will be at the studio/shop on Saturday, December 12th at Noon to sign copies of her NEW poetry collection...Hand Work and read to us while we hook! I'm hoping she'll bring some of her fabulous rugs for you to see up close. If you are in the Minneapolis area, I invite you to stop by for some warm cider and a wonderful afternoon!

The Wooly Red Rug
4750 Grand Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55419
612-824-1131

Over So Soon...

I received a question about new hookers struggling with pulling loops...here is my 2 cents!

One of the things I’ve learned in all my years of teaching is...
It’s NOT the hook...it’s the technique!

Many beginner’s and a lot of long time hooker’s too, struggle with splitting wool, catching foundation threads, and pulling poorly formed loops.

While it’s commonly know that when pulling up loops you lift each loop in the direction of the starting tail or previous loop to avoid pulling out your work. I don’t see or hear anyone talk much about the action of the hook. What I do see is a lot of hookers stabbing the hook shallowly through a hole and barely catching the side of wool strip...shredding and twisting it as it comes to the surface.

Here is my opinion...
Put the hook ALL THE WAY through the hole, so that the WHOLE SHAFT is under the foundation, and with most inexpensive ball or pencil style hooks the wooden handle hits the top of the foundation. Slightly tilt the hook to catch the wool strip and pull the hook up through the hole at somewhat of an angle. I call it a scooping motion.
You are using the shaft of the hook to form a nice plump loop...the hook end is really just there to keep the loop from falling of the end.

Of course, more expensive wide shaft hooks make this easier, but used improperly can still trouble and discourage someone who is just beginning and at a much greater cost!

Our foremothers used a bent nail and worn cloth...and they made treasures!

Happy Hooking ~ Laurie

Getting more press...

...it's been just a whirlwind of activity around here the past several months!
Today the October issue of The Wool Street Journal arrived! My studio is the feature in Wool Street Anywhere, USA!
I hope you'll check it out...I so pleased to share some wonderful rugs and a few of the many hooker friends who gather here...and a "freebie" pattern, too!

We had a great turn out at the 12th annual Autumn Valley Hook-in on October 3rd in Stillwater. I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to take any pictures. I've spent the last few weeks trying to restock the shelves...keeping up with classes and working on some commissioned pieces that have come my way since the EAL Directory went out.


"A Sampler" this year's project rug is now complete and I'll be working on cutting the wool kits for Part 4...I should have them in the mail by the end of the week!
I'll also be back in the dyepots...a new shipment of yarn arrived from the mill and I need to get BUSY!

Hoping that the wintery weather we've been having here in MN will turn to FALL. Feel a wee bit cheated this year. The summer drought and the early snowfall have robbed us of the glorious fall colors...Hope it's better in your neck of the woods...
Wishing you glorious colors everyday! ~L

Quick Hello...then back to work!

Happy Autumn Everyone!
I just had to take a few moments to greet you all!
It's a bright and blustery day today and it feels good after an unusually hot September! Saturday is our annual Fall Hook-In in Stillwater...much to get ready!
Fall classes are in full swing at the studio...busy times at my Son's school, too...it's time for me to get the kits cut and mailed out for the final part of this year's rug project...and the deadline for my article in RHM is the 9th...Whew...I sure could use a few more hours this week!

This little beauty is on it's way to Massachusetts...I'm pleased with the way it turned out and hope the sweet woman who ordered it is too! I'm hoping to have patterns of this new design drawn up in time for Saturday!

Wishing you all a Happy week! ~L

Ribbon Winners...

Well it's been too long since I've had a chance to spend time here! School started yesterday...yippee...all you Mom's know what I mean! And now I'm trying to get back to a regular routine...classes start in the studio next week...the Autumn Hook-in is the First Saturday in October...and a few other things to finalize before the middle of October! Busy...but Good!

The Holiday issue of Early American Life arrived today at the studio! Look for my Christmas Goose mat on page 59. I'm really pleased with it...just wish I could have been a mouse in the corner during the photo shoot!

It's FAIR time here in Minnesota. Several friends have entered their rugs and I'm happy to share some of the excitement here!


Rose Mae won a Blue Ribbon at the Minnesota State Fair for her Square Dance rug! The pattern is a Going Gray design...and it's the second piece Rose Mae has hooked. Her first was a small chair pad. She joined our Saturday group last January on a very cold day. This picture was taken at our June meeting and she's finishing the binding! I'm so very proud of you Rose Mae...and can't wait to see the butterfly rug we've been working on the design for!

Joyce entered several rugs in the Steele County Fair and won several ribbons...I hope she'll send me photos so I can update it here...but here is her version of Edyth O'Neill's Ohio Coverlet in progress earlier this year...

She won Champion and 1st Place! Her Bev Conway rug won Grand Champion and Iggy, designed by Maria Barton took 2nd place...send me some pics Joyce!
Here's an update...



To ALL the ribbon winners out there...Congrats...and keep on hooking! ~L

And the WINNER is...

...Cathy G. ~ Orange Sink!!!
I'll be contacting you Cathy for mailing info...Congrats!!!

THANK YOU to everyone who took time to leave a comment, recipe and or link on their blog! I really aprreciate your interest and wish you all could have won. But...with all the great recipes shared here...I guess we all kind of won!

I hope you will all come back now and then to see whats happening here...I hope to have another giveaway soon!
~Laurie

Just a Little Give Away...

In celebration of my 50 something post...and my upcoming favorite season...Apple-Tyme...I’m giving away one of my Apple Pin Keeps on a Replica Antique Vice...sorry the picture doesn’t due it justice...they really are quite cute!

So if you are an apple lover too...or wool lover or just reading here and interested in a chance to win...please leave a comment...if you have a favorite apple recipe you want to share...all the better...I’m sure EVERYONE will enjoy that too!

Spread the word if you will...I may just add some goodies to sweeten the deal ♥

You’ll get ONE entry for leaving a comment...
ONE for sharing a recipe...
and ONE for linking this give away to your blog...

Please be sure to leave contact info so I can contact you if you win!

My baby turns 13 this weekend...I’ll let him to the draw next Wednesday the 19th...

Hope you’ll take part...and best of luck!
~Laurie