I'm a hooker.... WHAT?

Rug Hooking is a traditional Newfoundland activity. Traditionally women used to rip old pieces of fabric (worn out clothes) and hook them through burlap to make rugs for the floor. The first time I was in Newfoundland I had the opportunity to meet the Tableland Rug Hookers, and photographed some of their rugs for a poster.

Since I have always been into crafting, I had to get my hands on a rug. Molly, who owns her own Fibre Arts Studio, was kind enough to walk me through the basic rug hooking technique. She is the one who started the Tableland Rug Hookers, she teaches the craft, sells her own creations as well as kits and supplies for beginners and advanced hookers. :)

My first rug was a kit created by Molly. My kit did not include wool or a frame as the new ones do, so I got to choose all my colours. You can see this rug bottom right. Then, I completed the flowered rug, which was based loosely on a pattern my grandmother had and never completed. And finally the flags, which took a year and a half to complete. This was created from Newfoundland inspiration, and I designed it myself. I plan on continuing with my rug hooking, but next I'm going to try using strips of t-shirt (that process is called stripping, more on that later!).

Molly does have a blog, if you are interested in seeing some of the things that she has been up to. As me for me, I'm on the hunt for old t-shirts; something my friend Mrs. Crafty Ave is also on the look-out for! I'll fight you for them!? No we're friends, we will share :)