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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Hooker Questions  |
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bboopster
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Betty Jo
West Bend
Wisconsin
USA
1140 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 08:16:55 AM
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Hello,
I have just signed up for a primative rug hooking class. I would like to know if any of you do primative rug hooking and if so what would your suggestions for a beginer be. What type of Loom(?) should I invest in. They had these circle type like a huge needlepoint hoop or a lap one. What are your favorite hook types? Fabrics? Do any of you cut your own and what do you use to cut them. I saw some cutters but before I buy I would like some input form others. Any websites or books I should look at or have. Where do you find your pattern or do you create your own? Do any of you have supplies that you are no longer using and would want to get rid of? I am so excited to be learning how to do this and can't wait to start. I have wanted to do this for as long as I can remember.
3 Blue Star Mother and Proud of it!
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 09:01:01 AM
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| I must be loosing it. Just seeing the title of this has got me rollling. I don't have any suggestions but I am interested to see what other's have to say. |
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Nance in France
True Blue Farmgirl
1438 Posts
Nancy
St. Laurent de la Salanque
France
1438 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 09:18:14 AM
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| You're not losing it!! MY reaction exactly was "Whoa, it's getting racy down on the farm here...."! I couldn't click on the thread fast enough, ha!! One of the later MJF mags had a great interview with a lifelong "hooker". And I think Aunt Jenny mentioned one time about rug hooking: I am also getting interested in that idea so I cannot wait to see what the other gals suggest!! Nance |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 09:20:41 AM
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People who crochet and hook rugs are both called hookers, ladies. My husband gets a kick out it when I say I am going to go hook for a few hours.
People who tear fabric for quilting, rug hooking and braiding are also called strippers. This is always fun to talk about around my husband too Honey I have to go strip for a while. Yeah see what response you would get from a typical guy.
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe my blog http://sunshinescreations.blogspot.com
my web stores www.sunshines.etsy.com and http://vintagethreads.etsy.com
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Edited by - sunshine on Jan 28 2007 09:54:54 AM |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 09:40:15 AM
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Yup I was like MY GOODNESS Farmgirls sure are different these days! HAH!Makes sense though! It's too bad our culture has created such a stigma for the word!
Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowtreecreek.com |
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bboopster
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Betty Jo
West Bend
Wisconsin
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 09:48:28 AM
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Didn't mean to offend anyone. The first time I meet my daughter boyfriend I announced that I was going to be a hooker and had signed up for classes, it was a gas. The look on his face was pricless  and his next question was GREAT! "You have to take classes to be a hooker?" He has since realized that I am just one of those funny people. He really doesn't like me as I'm not fancy enough for him or his family. I don't wear enough jewels and I love my bib overhauls. Oh well everyone can't like you. My DH just smiled when I told him I had sign up for hooking classes. I can't wait to get started as I want to make rugs for my home. I've been told it is mindless work, perfect for sitting in front of the fire on cold nights. I can't imagine it mindless but hopefully it is relaxing. I love fiber arts! Have been away from them to long.
3 Blue Star Mother and Proud of it!
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 09:50:37 AM
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| I would like to make some extra money at home so maybe I will become a hooker. I know my DH would just love to tell people what I do!!! |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 12:11:02 PM
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I have a tote bag from a rug hooking supply company that says something about being a happy hooker on it..wish I could remember the phrase exactly..never thought a thing about it until one day in church my 9 year old son asked what a hooker is..."GULP!" I said..hmmm I will tell you after church..then he pointed at my bag and I realized what it said and told him it was like when I hooked rugs..which answered his question and I decided then and there that maybe that bag shouldnt' go to church any more!!
Okay...I have a lap frame..that is what I like..it has the metal teeth around the edge that holds the burlap in place. I use a hook with a sort of ball shaped wooden handle..there are all types and I guess you should try holding a few to see what feels best. I prefer scotch burlap over monks cloth for sure..burlap is stiffer and makes a firmer rug in my opinion.
I cut my own wool strips for quite awhile and then bought a stripper after I was sure I would keep using it. I used to be in a guild..there isn't one here..you should look for one if you can...it helps ALOT!! I have used patterns but prefer to draw my own. Sometimes I look at a picture and sometimes not. For your first one you may want to get a pattern printed on burlap or a kit. I didn't do things the normal way and started out with a full sized 3' by 5' rug that I drew myself. I do more small things lately..but love those rugs. I would be happy to answer any questions you have. I have some books and would be willing to share if you can't find some too.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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jo Thompson
True Blue Farmgirl
603 Posts
Jo
the mountainside of the Chugach
in Alaska
USA
603 Posts |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 12:49:43 PM
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Hey Betty Jo I am a hooker and one who has been doing it for years.
About three years ago I was asked to teach a class at a national convention of alpaca breeders. I thought why not shake it up a little bit. I had a huge sign made that said "So you always wanted to be a hooker" with the times and classroom number. Most know me and know the type of humor I have but this one even got me. I gathered all my materials, props, and such and headed over to the classroom. When I came in the room I must have had about twenty men sitting in the front row and all the rest of the room was filled with women. When I got up there and the lights came on, their faces where priceless. I could not contain my laughter and the room started in as well. These guys where in shock and red faced. I did not realize that there was also a huge cattlemen's association meeting going on at the other building and someone reported to them about the class without understanding what was going on. The cattlemen thought it might be a special treat that the association was giving and well, they sure wished they had the ability to be invisible. A few of them stayed but most when I gave them an out proceeded to run to the nearest exit. Those who stayed had fun and even tried their hand at being a hooker.
Now to answer your questions, listen to what the teacher suggests - but I give my students simple coloring books as their first pattern. They are simple and do not require tons of shading. As for hoops I like a floor stand hoop that way I am not having to hold on to the project in my lap and I can sit in a chair that works for my back. There are great books out there, I would just wait until you have finished the class before buying too many things. Have fun and congrats on join our group of hookers.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com |
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blueroses
True Blue Farmgirl
1323 Posts
Debbie
in the Pandhandle of
Idaho
USA
1323 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2007 : 11:55:49 AM
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Betty Jo,
Please let us know how the class goes and if you really enjoy it. This is something I want to do too and will once I get done with college (I'm a 50 year old coed).
And, PS: We like you!!
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2007 : 12:12:47 PM
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I wonder if any dirty old men have found this on the internet when searching the word hooker!
Ephesians 1:17 |
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gregs_lil_farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
219 Posts
birdi
hartford
me
USA
219 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2007 : 4:41:48 PM
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lol jp!!!!
-Simple pleasures make my heart smile- |
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Cindy Lee
True Blue Farmgirl
510 Posts
Cindy
Sparks
Nevada
USA
510 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2007 : 7:35:11 PM
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| Betty Jo, I am going to my first class on rug making in the morning and I'm so excited about it! A quilt shop in town is offering one class a month and it only costs $15.00 for the whole year! They are starting out with locker hooking and will teach all techniques through the year. My grandmother used to make all kinds of rugs and I am anxious to how she did them. Let us know what you think of your class! Cindy |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2007 : 10:08:02 AM
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Betty Jo, I hook primitive. I'm so excited for you! I began with the least expensive tools, and mostly what I later bought, I'd never tested beforehand, but had been advised and therefore bought. If possible, could you call your instructor and ask what she recommends that you bring to class? If you can't, I'd begin with a hoop and I really like the hartman "ergo" hook, which is made for arthritis and tendonitis... and nice and fat for wide width strips. Primitive strips are at least 1/4 inch wide, which is a #8 cutter head. However, it's hard to tell what you'll want when you've gotten going, and the heads are usually hard to switch, so I'd begin with either sissors or Fiskar's Spring Action Scissors (I got mine at Michael's Crafts) and hold off on the cutter for a bit. If you buy wool, or look for used clothing to cut up, think in terms of 100% wool, skirt weight. The Wool Street Journal magazine (there's a website) is for primitive hooking, and is geared nicely for beginners. www.wooleyfox.com is a fun site, and Barbara Carroll and Emma Lou Lais' book, "American Primitive Hooked Rugs" is great for beginning... and has pictures of various hooks, frames, dyeing fabric, how-tos, etc.
I've never tried the burlap that Jenny likes. I've heard that the newer burlap is very nice. The older used to be hard and rough to work on, so I stayed away. I've used monks cloth, which I like fine, as it is great in the frame, clinging well to the metal teeth--but harder for me to get those wide strips in. Currently I'm using linen, which is wonderful in that it opens up easily and therefore easy on the hands, but doesn't cling to the teeth very well, so slips. Next try for me will be burlap. And, my frame is Puritan...the downside is that it's made at an angle, so has to be turned and you work at an angle about 3/4 of the time. If you want more book ideas, email me and I'll list more.
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
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bboopster
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Betty Jo
West Bend
Wisconsin
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2007 : 6:16:51 PM
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Thank you to all who replied. Sorry I haven't written in the last week but wedding showers and Army deployments along with work and school has kept me from my computer. I start my first class Thursday and I am so pumped. All of you have just encouraged me more and so has my DH. Sunday I will finish my lesson plans for the next month for my PK4 class and them my college work (I'm a 47 year old co-ed) and then I can get to my studio and start to clean it up so that I can set up the rest of my hobbies and make room for my hooking. I am soooo excited. Grace, I wish I could have seen those men!!!!! I also wonder like JP if there may have been some disappointed dirty old men. Aunt Jenny, I laughed so hard when I read your reply. I wonder how many people where praying for you to find a new career? Thank you ladies for all your help and I'll let you know what happens at class this week.
3 Blue Star Mother and Proud of it!
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2007 : 7:49:38 PM
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Betty Jo,
I'm a prim hooker too! Just started this year and LOVE it! It has become one of my favorite things...so easy to get started and times just flys when you're hookin'! I am fortunate to have a woman nearby who teaches and has gotten a group together. She also dyes wool and rents out equipment.
I wouldn't buy much until you get an idea about different types of cutters and frames as these tend to be pretty pricey-and SO many different kinds! Of course that's up to you. 
I have a funny story for you...
On the first night our group met at the local library, a woman poked her head in the door and asked "Is this the ____ women's club?" Several of us looked up & replied "No, this is the hooker's club"... She looked at us, stunned, and softly closed the door. Maybe it was the image of bespecticled middle age women smiling around the table that confused her... 
Happy hookin'!
Rhonda
I'm a one girl revolution. |
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bboopster
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Betty Jo
West Bend
Wisconsin
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2007 : 1:45:15 PM
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Thanks for the chuckle Rhonda. I just love when I tell people that I going to become a hooker. My class was canceled due to our cold spell here in Wisconsin. Baby it's cold here!!!! Hopefully they will reschedule soon. I am so bummed. Sometimes you just have to be paitent.
3 Blue Star Mother and Proud of it!
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2007 : 10:57:44 PM
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Have to tell you ladies that every time I read the title of this thread I do a double take!!! Then I realize it's about rug hooking!
The Rustic Cottage Etsy Shop http://therusticcottage.etsy.com |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Hooker Questions |
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Hooker Questions
