Maria Barton, Star Rugs, was my teacher, and I recently finished one of her designs. This is a new Halloween design.Toppling Pumpkins by Maria Barton ~ hooked by Cotton Eyed Jo  The rug contains several special hooked areas. The eyes in the top pumpkin are quilled. That means that two colors of wool strips were rolled together. A few stitches to hold them together, and then they were stitched down to the background.

I just learned how to "marry" wools that you'd like to use in a rug. As we all know black, red, blue and every other color comes in many different shades. Not all of them match in clothing, and mismatched wools in a rug, might give it an older look. (They made do with what they had). Or it might distract from the overall design. My first advice is that if it doesn't bother you ~ run with that! :)

Here in Houston, rug hooking can take place in the summer because our homes are air conditioned 24/7.  But it really isn't when rug hooking is my favorite thing to do. My quilting calls to me, because when I was a teacher, summer vacation was my time to create quilt tops. (Also much cooler)

But, we are finally looking at some 40 degree mornings coming this next week. Yippee! Evening spent under the rug I'm working on are a great way to conserve energy and stay warmer.

This topic might not be considered a beginner's topic, but why not? If you have mastered hooking wool strips into the backing, you may already be thinking about a rug you'd like to make.

The first step is to have an idea you'd like to explore, or an actual design of your own to make. Drawn rug designs are simple generally almost like a coloring book page. Of course a complicated design of a floral or a paisley will need more design, than a simple four leaf clover.

Depending on where you're reading this blog post, you may be like me looking forward to cooler weather, or dreading the return of winter.

Our temperature today (late September) topped 94 degrees and the humidity made me "glow" as we say here in Houston! When we first moved here, I told my sis that it was wonderful to live somewhere where moisturizer wasn't needed! Of course, you go through at least 3 times the deoderant, so works about the same so far as $$$. ;)

Since I've sold a couple of "Rag Rug Cafe Specials" from my etsy store, I've decided to post my directions here. I'll send a print copy with the kits, creative people sometimes misplace things, so you can come here. :)

I first tried to just copy and paste into the authoring area here, but lots of gobbeldy gook appeared... so will do it the old fashioned way and just retype it in.

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The traditional way to finish a hooked rug is to attach twill tape and sew it down, and also whip the row at the edge of the hooked area with wool yarn. Didn't care for that type of finish.

My first alteration was to turn the edge, but instead of using a yarn whipped through each hole, I single crocheted around the rug. I liked this finishing technique better, and it seemed quicker to me as well.

No, I didn't win a big bunch of $$$ on MegaMillions, but the last time I went to the thrift store I was only able to find one sportscoat. Well today was the day when I can get my senior citizen discount, and as I was coming home from a doctor appt, thought I might drop by to check again!

http://redjackrugs.blogspot.com/  Is a link to one of my new favorite blogs to read. April is a member of the Hooking Circle I've just joined. Actually got to see her working on her Scare Jack. It is an awesome rug, and one of my next rugs will definitely include some fancy yarn to add a dimensional sparkle.

She also has a 10 minutes a day Rug Hooking Challenge going on, and if you look on the right side of the blog you can find out how to join.

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Just a quick post to let you know, I'm busily hooking away on my rug that was posted as an unhooked pattern a few posts back. The videos are so good, don't want them to get buried. If you are a beginner, and have a question, post a comment. For now, I'll be back when the weather gets cooler, and more people are back online! :) Haven't forgotten about you! Cotton Eyed Jo