Rug Gallery - Hooker Extraordinaire



In February 2010, I was seized by some incredible, inexplicable desire to learn how to hook wool rugs.

Having dabbled in quilting and rug braiding ( with the incredibly mean Quaker woman whom we referred to as the "rug Nazi"), I had long been curious about how these larger rugs were constructed.


I did a google search and bought a couple of pre-assembled kits from Deanne Fitzpatrick.

I finished the first kit in a couple of weeks

The second kit took even less time.


It was time to find a teacher....so back to google. To my amazement, and everlasting gratitude, there was a teacher -- nearly in my neighborhood.


It was April and I arranged to meet with her. I had looked at her designs on-line, and found that she embodied something that I liked - a certain flair for color, and whimsy.  And that is how I found Judith.

She took a look at the two rugs ( or "mats" ) I had made from the kits and declared: "You've really got your own style".

If there is a way to capture my heart nearly immediately? Praise my artistic sensibility. I swoon.


The first rug she set me on - to draw and choose colors myself -was the circles rug.

I changed my design by intentionally flattening the points on my star and variegating it in each circle. I'd also bought the stash of a deceased rug hooker on ebay and had decided to use all of that wool in the circles rug - a Riot of Color. It took me about 4 months to finish this rug.



This rug measures 49 inches long by 33 inches wide


For the next rug, I wanted to create a tribute to my grandparents farm: a Memory Rug.

I started with pictures I had taken at their farm before it had been sold. I sketched out a rough idea of what I wanted, based on my memories of being a child and playing on the farm.  This later took shape as a piece of writing as well: Family Farm.

Drawing onto the linen

This was the result:

Rug measures 48 inches long by 34 inches wide

The next rug I designed based on old Bluenose patterns from Nova Scotia. However, I gave mine a personal touch by adding my rabbits as the centerpieces:


Rug measures 55 inches long by 32 inches wide


An authentic bluenose pattern I found on ebay. I will copy the pattern and then frame this original.
Color makes such a difference - used a deep eggplant background and very vibrant palates for the scroll work - An old design with a distinctly modern flair. The rabbits were drawn free hand and hooked with a variety of textured wool to give them their "flow".


My third rug was the largest, and most ambitious rug: The memory rug for my Maternal Grandparents.

I had the roughest of ideas for this rug, knowing only the elements I wanted - the house, the irises, the apple orchards, the statue of Mary - but not really knowing where they were going to end up, or how they would be placed.

The only element that got formally drawn was the house. Every other piece was free hand drawn straight onto the linen, then hooked. 

Here is the story for this rug: Irises and Apples 


Rug measures 55 inches long by 31 inches wide





The fox rug is a small rug I made for a local fundraiser. It is based on a design of a Stained Glass artist, Tara Sawchuk and YES, I purchased her pattern.

I am fond of foxes and may do this rug again. I am also planning a Bear Rug, and Ravens - (story elements much?).  Maybe I will make the next fox a kitsune....who knows.



Rug measures 32 inches long by 22 inches wide


Currently I am hooking a smallish rug - 34X30 that I am referring to as XO. It should be done within the week:



Here are some of the Rose Red and Snow White construction photos. You can find the story of this rug here and here:






Rose Red and Snow White will be one in a series of fairy tale rugs. The second one in the series will be Red Riding Hood (prelim sketch above).

This is a little rug I am making as a gift for my dissertation supervisor. She doesn't know about it and I am currently finishing the binding on it. I wanted to make a colourful rug, using scraps of my other rugs. I wanted a simple pattern ( the waves). The decision to alternate the direction came as I was starting the second row, and has given this rug a complexity of design that was not planned. It is a beautiful piece and I am pleased to be giving it away as a token of thanks for a long journey.






I'd be happy to entertain commissions, if you are interested.  Obviously more complex designs will be more expensive, although I calculate about $120-150 per square foot. 

 I hook on linen (as it will last far longer than the traditional burlap) and I hand steam all my rugs.


Stitching the binding

Steaming the rug. Takes AGES.


I finish the rugs with a cotton binding which is hand sewn to the edge, then whip stitched shut.  I make the rugs to be used on the floor, but could do a less intense binding if you wanted a wall hanging. 

Rugs can take between 3 weeks and 3-4 months depending on size, and intensity of design. Obviously memory rugs would require photos, stories and other information via interview to get a sense of Your memories.

Also, it is hella hot to hook wool rugs in July - FYI.

You can email me at balefulregards (at) gmail (dot) com. 
 
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