Irresistible colors: my first rug wool purchase (1 pic)

14 years ago

I've always used found woolens (100% wool clothing from the Salvation Army, washed and dried and cut up) for my rug hooking. But the other day I happened upon Ram in the Thicket, a seller who hand-dyes new wool, and got seduced by her 1,000+ colors. Before you knew it, I'd ordered 14 pieces! But they're small (3 x 18"), and cost only a dollar apiece. I'm going to use them in a simple, primitive design I'm planning to cover an old footstool.

They arrived today. Aren't they beautiful?

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Comments (17)

sheilajoyce_gw
14 years ago
Ohhh, yes, and now we want to see some of the rugs you have made from the reclaimed wool.
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glenda_al
14 years ago
Nice colors
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Val: I know this was a very hard decision for you. Bravo to you for giving it a try despite all the drama involved. :) It took us a long time to find most of our rugs. Some we loved to death and had a hard time talking ourselves out of because of one reason or another. When we did find the right ones, it was like it was meant to be... right color, size, condition, etc..... We were able to bring them home, put them down and just stop thinking about whether they were right or wrong because they were perfect for us in every way. There was never any second guessing. I know there are rugs out there just waiting for you to find them. Don't exhaust yourselves trying to find one w/in a set time frame. Shop when you have the time and the energy. It may take months, or it may just take days... but please take your time and enjoy the journey. One more thing. Some dealers may seam snooty, and some may even BE snooty... but the good ones know their stuff and want you to be happy w/ your rug. Some will want to educate you and some won't want to bother. Never tell a dealer what your budget is as some will never show you any less than your upper range. If pressed, just say that you must keep it under $xxx, which should be less than you really are willing to spend. I look forward to seeing your future finds!
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jennmonkey
14 years ago
I love those colors, they would exactly what I would choose!
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User
14 years ago
Oh my, what gorgeous colors! What does she use for dyes?
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alisande
Original Author
14 years ago
She uses Pro Chem dyes. Wanna get seduced? See below . . .

Here is a link that might be useful: Ram in the Thicket
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lindyluwho
14 years ago
Beautiful.

Linda
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chisue
14 years ago
Gosh! Those are *gorgeous*! Can't wait to see your finished project, made from those colors.
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User
14 years ago
Beautiful, I am glad I am not into hooking, or I'd be in trouble now. :o)
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joann23456
14 years ago
I'd love to see some of your rugs, too.
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alisande
Original Author
14 years ago
I appreciate your interest, but I don't have anything to show you that I haven't posted here before. I haven't done a lot of hooking, and I stopped for about ten years before resuming with great enthusiasm this winter. I have a couple of small rugs that I need to block before I can photograph them. I recently finished my "Seven Cats" table mat and should try to get a picture of the whole thing. Meanwhile, here's a piece. (The thumb tacks hold the backing to the frame during the hooking process.)

Mickey's chair mat is about 80% completed. Here's the most recent pic I took of it:

Then there are the other chair mats. Here's a couple:

{{gwi:604751}}

Oh, and here are two of many Christmas ornaments I hooked.

Thanks, everyone!
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mcmann
14 years ago
Those colors are lovely and it's interesting how they all go with each other. How did you manage to only select 14?
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joann23456
14 years ago
Oh, my goodness - you hooked all those rugs from castoff clothing??? They're wonderful! I never read your rug hooking posts before, and I hadn't seen them. (I was drawn in by the heathery colors of the wool you just bought.)

Do you know of a website where I might learn what's involved with this? I would love to try.
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ronf_gw
14 years ago
How small are the pieces cut into?

Ron
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alisande
Original Author
14 years ago
How did you manage to only select 14?

It is pretty amazing, Mcmann. The only explanation I can think of is that I'm cheap frugal.

Joann, give me a day or two and I'll come up with something good for you. I'm in the process of putting together the rug hooking talk and demonstration that I'm scheduled to do at the library on Friday, and I'm researching that very thing right now. I'll be back with info.

Ron, if you mean the strips I cut to do the actual hooking, most of the ones I use are 5/32", or a fraction over 1/8". Most of the hookers I know work with a wider cut, 1/4". It gives a more primitive look--and goes a lot faster. I'm going to try that with my footstool.

I've always been a pretty slow hooker. (And I'm trying not to wink as I say that.)
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ronf_gw
14 years ago
You crack me up, Susan.

Ron
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sylviatexas1
14 years ago
Yum!

Beautiful wool, beautiful colors!

& you're gonna put 'em on a *footstool*???

but nobody's going to put their feet on that, right?
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alisande
Original Author
14 years ago
Ha! I'm gonna put my feet on it, Sylvia. I usually have one foot on the stool when I hook.
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Irresistible colors: my first rug wool purchase (1 pic)

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Irresistible colors: my first rug wool purchase (1 pic)

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