Reply #13: Thank you for your nice comments!

[troubleinwinter]

Regretfully, the 'floral' (pomegranates) is not my own design. I do love it.

"The pattern of the stitches" is, I think, what drew me to the craft.

No, they are not hard to work on. A hunk of burlap or linen with an outline pattern drawn onto it is stretched taught onto a working frame, the wool strip is held behind the fabric and loops are drawn through to the front with a hook (similar to a crochet hook).

The craft has been around for perhaps 150-200 years or so (no one really knows). It is recognized as perhaps the only truly AMERICAN developed craft. Seems to have originated on the East coast of U.S. and Canada (where it is most popular today). It started with sailors at sea using handmade hooks and using rags pulled through sail canvas. Then farm women used feedsacks and worn out clothing to make floor rugs and bed rugs for warmth.

Today, people most always use pure wool fabric and linen backing, because a lot of work goes into them and the best quality materials look/feel/last the best.

These rugs are incredibly sturdy and there are some old ones that have been walked on for a hundred years. Some new craft artists make them for floors, some for wall hanging.

The loops are held in place by the pressure of the other loops (kinda like magic!). They don't pull out with regular wear (only rare really BAD BAD kittens pull a few out, but they are easily repaired).

It's about as easy as latch hook, but the final product is a nicer quality. They are very dense, and a lower pile (1/4" - 1/3"). Usually, latch hook is synthetic yarn, but pure wool fabrics are generally used for this 'traditional rug hooking'.

One can start testing it out for an investment of maybe $30. To get all the bells & whistles, I have about $250 into a really good lap swivel hooking frame, a good crank machine to cut 1/4" strips and an excellent hook.

Then comes the adventuring through thrift shops for wool skirts, jackets, dyes, and sometimes new off-the-bolt wool.

Patterns are purchased from designers (I am one), or self-designed. People often use coloring book pictures. Designs are simple, they are just drawn onto the backing with a sharpie. No charts! "Primitive" is very popular in this craft.

If you want to know more, PM me!!

Thank you again (maybe this shoulda gone into the Do-It-Yourself/Craft forum, but, OH WELL!).