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HELP FOR SORE HANDS
What a great site! I will tell everyone. I spent hours taking your tour. I do a
lot of rug hooking and braiding. When I hook, my hands and wrists get very sore and I assume I am doing something wrong. Anything
for exact correct hand positions or ideas for this problem? I can't stop, but I am afraid I will have to if this keeps up. Thanks
again, Lisa
Dear Lisa, So glad you enjoyed the tour on our site! It is great to hear from folks that appreciate the traditional rugs. About your hands and wrists, it could be a couple of different problems. Most likely if you've been hooking for awhile you've found a hand position that works for you, and you don't change it. That means that your wrist and hand are going through a very limited motion over and over again. To counter this, try switching back and forth from an overhand to underhand grip for a short while. It is awkward at first, but will let your muscles get away from the repetition for a bit. Then go back to your regular grip.
I've had the same problem when I've been making only one type of rug consistently--usually when I'm writing about that particular one--and have found that switching back and forth between two different techniques takes care of the problem. Another old trick is to never hook when your hands are cold. That doesn't mean you have to quit during the winter! Take a pair of glove liners (cotton knit liners for work gloves are best), and clip the fingertips about an inch from the end. Fold the end of each glove-finger back, and use them as fingerless gloves. They keep your hands warm and don't get in the way of working. Happy Rugmaking, Diana
MORE SORE MUSCLES
I
haven't started rug hooking yet but I do latch hook. My left upper arm gets so sore. What do I need to do to alleviate the pressure
as I'm hooking? Somehow I'm keeping it tense as I tighten the yarn. Any suggestions are deeply appreciated!! Joyce
Hi Joyce,
What you've got going is that the work is too low--- notice that your neck is bent? The easiest fix to try is to put a thick pillow
on your lap, and put the rug you're working on atop it. See if that helps....
SELLING YOUR RUGS
Q. The first Rolling Wheel I made
was for a housewarming gift and it got rave reviews and requests from other guests. The copyright statement in the front of your book
just mentions infringement upon the book itself. May I sell rugs made from your charts or is that covered by the copyright statement
also?
A. You absolutely *can sell* any rug you make from my designs and patterns! If you do, I'd appreciate it if you let the people know what the 'right' name of the pattern is to minimize confusion. What the copyright statement refers to is the designs and patterns themselves belong to me (someone can't copy them and put out their own book with my patterns in it), but it has nothing to do with you being able to make and sell any rugs you want to... so go right ahead. The fabric tapestry rugs will go very well for you-- people love them!
Hi,
My husband is an upholsterer, and I'm looking for something to do with the mounds
of fabric scraps we collect. After this week's work I have an 8" wide, 50yard long piece of denim, and I'm thinking of trying braiding.
Can you use fabric this heavy, and if so, what sort of width would I cut it in, and what type of braid would be best? Thank you for
the nice web page! (you may print my address) Carol Dean >Ottoman@seanet.com
Dear Carol,
Lots of different upholstery
fabrics work fine for rugs (only the ones with a bonded backing don't). In fact, I've found that the scotch guarding on many of the
cotton fabrics make the rugs stand up better where they get lots of spills (in a kitchen or dining room, for example).
With
the heavy denims you can braid very nice rugs. Cut the strips 1-1/2 inches wide on the straight grain of the fabric. Double fold the
strips to hide the raw edges. I've also used the heavy denims for chain braided rugs and crocheted rugs, but you have to wash them
first to remove the sizing or the strips are too stiff to work easily. Happy rugmaking! Diana
MAKING RAG BALLS
Hi my name is
Lisa I have a question. There is such a thing called rag balls correct?? I think I have seen them in an antique store in a basket.
You just put a bunch of these balls in a basket and sit them by your couch or something. Do you know how to make these? Or know of
any sites on the web?? I typed in rag balls but things came up I didn't want. LOL Please write back thanks so much
Dear Lisa,
If all you want is to have some rag balls sitting around for decoration, they are really easy to make. Cut or tear your fabric into
1" to 1-1/2" strips, and roll them up into balls, making sure to tuck the ends in. If you're looking to make rugs with them, the strips
are sewn together end to end before rolling. That's all there is to it! Best, Diana
RUGS MEN LIKE
I own a spinning, knitting
and crochet studio. My husband has shown interest in learning how to make rag rugs. Could you recommend what is the best way for him
to learn (since he wants to learn, this is of course going to mean that I'm going to have to get involved). What equipment would he
need, what is the best book for a beginner? Thanks
Hi Leslie, I've noticed a few things over the years about men and the types
of rugs that they like. First, the procedure for the rug shouldn't be too 'fussy' with a lot of decisions to make (that lets out hooked
rugs, shirred rugs, etc. where a person is always choosing a new color). Second, they like a 'real' tool in their hands, with a respectable
heft, or a type of rug that just lets them use their fingers instead of a tool. Third, they like a rug that shows progress quickly
and ends up as a 'real' rug (eg. has some weight and body).
Of course, there are always exceptions, and I know of one fellow who makes terrific knitted rag rugs and enjoys it.
But (short of buying a loom--- a 'real' tool), I'd suggest that you try to start him off with either the "Anchored Loop" (locker hooking), since the procedure is straight forward and the tool is solid steel, and if he doesn't like it, you have wool yarns & roving to use with it. Or, the Bohemian Braid which makes up into a *very* solid and stiff rug.Good luck, Diana
HINTS FOR A NEW RUG TEACHER
I'm going to be teaching a locker hooking class for the first time
next month, do you have any hints or help for a new teacher?
As for advice for new teachers-- well I'm always full of advice--
sometimes more than is needed! I've found out that people wanting classes are almost always anxious to get their hands on the rug
quickly, so it pays to have everything ready for that at the first class. With something like locker hooking, I'd have some small
canvases (about 6" square when finished), all hemmed and ready, along with hooks and rug strip so that everyone can 'play' with the
technique right at the start, and have something to take home and play some more with. Then, take them through the preparation steps
thoroughly with a small rug-size canvas for the second session. They will also come back to the second class full of questions which
makes teaching easier-- at least for me since I like to yak! Best, Diana
While at a craft show this weekend my mother and I began discussing the braided "rag" rugs my paternal grandmother used to make. Since she died while I was in college (and such things as quilting and rug making were not foremost in my mind) I cannot learn this craft from her. I am wondering if you can recommend a book with which I could begin to learn. The rugs I remember were rectangular in shape with self fringe on the ends and looked "woven" but were done by hand and of cotton type material (not wool).
Dear Melanie,
The rugs your grandmother used
to make could be one of three types: broomstick (do you remember her using a long tool?); needlewoven (do you remember her using a
frame of some sort?); or string crochet (was there a smallish crochet hook involved?) All of these types will make rectangular rugs
with fringed ends as you describe. You might take another look at our "Rag Rugs Tour" to see if any of the pictures of these types
ring a bell with you. We have books that cover the broomstick and string crochet, but the needlewoven one is still in process.
Hope this helps. Diana.----------
MEMORY RUGS FROM CHILDREN'S CLOTHES
I am so very glad to have found your web site. I
have been looking for information on rag rugs for almost a year. My husband suggest the internet and here you are. I would like to
use scraps of fabric from my children's clothing (from when they were younger) to make each one of the a small rug. The materials
consist of denim, polyester and of course cotton receiving blankets. Is this possible? I would like to order your book "Crocheted
and Tapestry Rugs". Would this book explain materials and supplies that I will need? One more!! Is there a particular method or scissors
I should use to cut these materials. Thank you for having such patience with a city girl novice.
Dear Judy,
I love to
hear from people who are just getting started with rugmaking, and your idea for 'memory' rugs from your kids clothes is lovely. Let
me make a suggestion however, crocheted and fabric tapestry rugs take a lot of material, and cutting, sewing and folding the strips
to make a rug out of little one's pants and shirts would take forever. If you want to make one of these rugs, work with the receiving
blankets.
I have a couple of alternate suggestions: A wagon wheel rug takes less fabric and will let you see the fabrics (take a look at the "Rugmaker's Bulletins" for instructions). You could use all of the different fabrics you have mixed together in the same rug, and have a larger rug for each of your babes. The other type of rug to consider is a traditional shirred rug (all you need is a needle and stout thread). These are thicker rugs and go together pretty quickly. The advantage with these rugs is that you don't have to sew the fabric strips end to end to make a long strip. You can cut short strips from a little shirt and then just shir it right onto the rug. (Depending on how old your children are, they could even help with this type of rug. I've had 8 year olds help with shirring.)
You don't need any particular special equipment to cut strips for rugs, just some good sharp scissors. For years
I've used a pair of Fiskars (they have a handy little sharpener they sell for their scissors so you can always keep a good edge for
cutting). A rotary cutter and mat also work very nicely. The commercial strip cutters are good but the only ones that really work
are quite expensive (over $100) so I don't suggest that beginners rush out to buy them.
Happy Rugmaking!
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