Rug Hooking with  Cindi Gay
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Welcome to Rug e-School

I remember the frustration I felt when I first learned to rug hook.  There were no teachers in my area and books only go so far.  I didn't make real progress until I studied with a teacher on a long term basis.  There is no substitute for a hooking mentor, but in the meantime, here's some topics that may help you over the rough spots and some really cool stuff for advanced hookers.

BASIC INFORMATION  

 

Enlarging Patterns at Home
  Drawing Straight Lines on your backing
  A list of my Favorite Things to use for rug hooking
  A quick Pro and Con review of the backings available
  Getting Started.  Ready to jump into rug hooking?
  Shading, tapestry and primitive.  Yes, even primitive rugs are improved with some shading.
Color Planning, step by step
Take a holiday.  You can not complete a rug without doing this!
BASIC HOOKING TECHNIQUES  

Hook a smooth curve.  Watch this VIDEO and let me know what you think.  If you like them, I will add more!
MISCELLANEOUS  
  How much should I pay for wool by the ounce?  What does a yard of wool weigh?
  Take a pictorial tour of my studio
  Favorite studio equipment
   

DYEING

   
FAQ dyeing questions not answered or not clear in my dye books
How to Rip Wool Yardage for Dyeing
  Penny Dyeing - Change your wool without dyes!  
  Birch Trees* Day 1: Preparing Thickener and Dyes
    Day 2: Painting
    Day 3: Steaming
    Hooked Birch Bark examples
    *This is an advanced dyeing technique
DYE RECIPES  

 

The "In" Colors for 2006
  Town Hall Red dye recipe for bricks

 

A wonderful neutral, found by accident
2005 Red, one of my favorite reds
   

FINISHING

   

Students taking a finishing class should complete steps 1 and 2 before class.  Steaming is also recommended - but be sure you have at least 24 hours to let your rug dry without moving it.
 
  An absolute must:  Steaming
  Step 1: Preparing the Backing Edge  
  Step 2: Preparing the Edge for Whipping  

 

Step 3: Whipped Edge (See the new tip at the end of the page)  
  Step 4: Don't Miss the Last Step - Label Your Rugs!  

 

The right fabric makes all the difference  
  Do you tangle the wool during whipping?  Check out these Whipping Tips.  
     
Coming soon:  
The easy way to finish a pillow  
 

If you benefitted from my Rug eSchool, and would like to send a thank you, you can donation via PayPal. 

 

 

 

If you have a suggestion, please send it to me!  I am adding new information constantly.
rugmail-web@yahoo.com

Copyright © 2006 by Cindi Gay. All rights reserved.
Revised: 02/05/08.