These are a Few of my Favorite Things

Here's some advice for beginning hookers.  Remember that these recommendations are my personal favorites based on my experience so far. Hopefully my explanations will shed some light on why these are my favorites.

• Backings: Rug warp - has a very even weave, and rugs stay square, reasonably priced.  Other backings pro and cons.

• Frame - Puritan Frame - holds the backing as tight as you need.  Can be used with a stand or in your lap.  This is the frame used by the majority of rug hookers.  Can be difficult to pack, especially on a airplane.  For travel I prefer the Tall Timbers Frame,  inexpensive, tilts and can be packed with a collapsible stand between the layers of  your clothes in a suitcase.

• Hook - Fraser hook #3.  Small inexpensive ball hook.  Fits well in my hand and I use this same size for wide and narrow loops.  Some beginners prefer #2 size with a larger hook.

• Cutters - Rigby Model "D" - This can be difficult to find in your local rug hooking store but it's worth the effort.  This cutter comes with two cutter blades and very quickly changes back and forth.  Changing the blades on the other models is necessary for every size change because they only use one blade at a time.  The cutting seems to be more sure and smooth with the Rigby Cutter.  As with most cutters you can order extra blades.  Be sure to get the fingers, you'll need them.  You can order from Cindy Hartman at Hartman Hooks, P. O. Box 938, Hudson, OH 44230, (330) 653-9730, hhooks@mac.com   

• Stand - I could not find a stand on the market that suited my needs, so I designed one with my husband's help. See my Supplies page for description and a picture.   It collapses down into one piece that does not rattle on the bottom of my bag.  You will never forget a part, because you need them all to secure it together for travel.  The collapsed frame fits inside the Puritan Frame, so if you can find a bag for your Puritan, you can fit your stand inside also.  Works well with my travel frame also.

• Wool - Dorr Mill Store has the best wool for dyeing and hooking as well as a good selection of rug hooking supplies.  Great service.  I look forward to my mailer from Rebecca Erb at The Wool Studio or call 610-678-5448.  For a small initial fee she will add you to her mailing list.  Several times a year, you will receive a mailer filled with washed samples and great descriptions as well as fiber content. 

• Dye - PRO Chemical has the easiest use dyes, in my opinion.  I prefer the packaging (a screw top jar instead of a tiny plastic envelope tucked inside a tiny envelope.)  Many dye books are out that only use a limited number of colors, four or five.  PRO Chem doesn't offer as many colors as Cushing so it's easier to "have it all."  I was frustrated when I used Cushing to find out that I sometimes needed more than one envelope to get through a recipe.  See www.prochemical.com for their e-store and great technical support.  Be sure to browse their product instructions.  The dye we use is Washfast acid dyes - PRO Chem sells a lot of different dyes.  Check out their sample packages.  If you can't find it on the web site, call.  Be sure to get a copy of their catalog.  It has many items that are not listed on the web site.

• Dye mixing containers - Instead of trying to remember which measuring cups are for dyeing, order the plastic beakers from PRO Chem.  They have two sizes.  They store easier than glass measuring cups and you can keep plenty around for your dyeing sessions.

• Dye Books -   All have recipes for PRO Chem and Cushing dyes unless otherwise noted:
          Recipes From the Dye Kitchen, Maryanne Lincoln: with swatches from PRO Chem
                  Great basic instructions, Maryanne writes monthly in Rug Hooking Magazine
          Beautiful Wool: A Hand-Dyer's Guide, Laurice Heath, contact Fredericksburg Rugs
                  Includes photos of the colors and lots of additional information.
          The following books have PRO Chem recipes only:
          Jewel Tones, Carolyn Clemens, great colors especially the neutrals
                  156 Wedgewood Drive, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, N2B 3G4
          Primary Fusion, Ingrid Hieronimus, great price for the book and swatches and PRO Chem color card.
                  RR #2, Petersburg, Ontario N0B 2H0, 519-578-0826.

• Rug Camp - Sauder Village in August.

• If I don't have something listed that you are interested in, please email me.  rhweb315-website@yahoo.com

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Copyright © 2003 by Cindi Gay. All rights reserved.
Revised: 02/03/08.