Blog

Under Control

Preparation_for_Beanie_making_Alice_Springs_Beanie_ContestAs I struggle to keep wool for the two different projects I’m working on separated, this idea sent in by Judith Stephens (Guild Pres.), is just what I need. The only problem is, I don’t have time to stop and make up the baskets, so I’ll continue with my tangle of yarn/strips in the  dreaded plastic bags.       Then ……………….  I’ll get organized!    (I’m modelling Margaret’s hand-knit Beanie, to be decorated with quillies, destined for the Alice Springs Beanie Exhibition – my beanie is still under construction.)

Here’s what Judith had to say  …….

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I decided that I should use up the rather large bucket of ‘bits’ that I have accumulated over the past year or two!  Whenever I dye some wool, I tie the skeins with about half a metre of yarn which also gets dyed in the dye bath.  

These I collect – just because I am too stingy to throw them out!  And of course, there are always little leftover pieces of yarn from my projects.

Problem_tangle_of_coloured_wool_stripsAnyway, I needed to keep the colours in some kind of order, so I needed some baskets.  I bought some gutter guard plastic

 Wool_basket_under_construction_by_Judith_Stephens_SA_Australia

and made the baskets

Wool_basket_completed_by_Judith_Stephens_SA_Australia

 Because they come in a long length, I can make the ‘basket’ as big as I need.  There is no base in this basket, but it doesn’t seem to matter.

So now, the colours are sorted, and I started on the rug

Wool_sorted_project_underway

It’s nearly finished, but it still leaves me with a very large bucket of bits to use up……..

 Finished_project_hooked_with_yarn_by_Judith_Stephens_SA_Australi

That all sounded so simple but I just had to ask Judith about the “bottomless” basket – her answer was ……

I have half-a-dozen of these ‘baskets’ and they sit on my hooking trolley.  If I need to move the basket, then I just put my hand under the basket and the bits don’t fall out.  What’s good about these, is the fact that I can make them as big as I need and they are easily stored flat, so don’t take up much room.  I’ve also locker hooked one length and have it around a pot plant – I’ll take a photo of that tomorrow morning when the sun is shining!                                                                                                                           I do have another plan to use up the bits!

Locker hooking on plastic grid – that sounds like an interesting project. Beats having to search for the locker hooking mesh which isn’t readily available, although there is an online supplier on the Guild SWAP n SELL page.

Maybe I’ll find a local supplier at the Perth Craft & Quilt Fair in a few weeks. The Fair runs from 18th to 22nd May at the Perth Exhibition & Convention Centre.

Jo Franco, Editor

So What’s NEW?

the Guild Website!   it’s been revamped –

now mobile & iPad friendly, includes an updated Events Calendar, additions to the SWAP n SELL page and another Book Review by Miriam Miller. 

Printed by Nimbus Publishing Ltd ISBN 978-1-55109-846-3 Paperback ISBN 978-1-55109-829-6 Bound    Miriam Miller received a copy of   ‘A Lifetime of Rug-Hooking ‘ by Doris Eaton,  from the TIGHR member who received Miriam’s hooked Friendship Square at the 2015 The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers Triennial Conference in Victoria, BC Canada.

Speaking of Canada – Miram and the Narrawilly Proggers  enjoyed a visit from a group of Nova Scotia ruggers who were on a South Pacific cruise.  Miriam (second from right) said ..    Canadians_on_Sth_Pacific_cruise_Cindy_Betty_and_Cathy_with_Miriam_Miller_in_NSW_Australia

“it was brief a day and a half. but we managed to fit in many things. Walks on the beaches, a progressive dinner then a rug day, a visit to the milking for Cindy who comes from a dairy farm, and to see the kangaroos at the Conjola Caravan park, they come out each evening for the grass. Even a short bush walk to Granite Falls.”

I’m sure there’ll be more about this visit in the next issue of Miriam’s Narrawilly newsletter  “Connecting Us“.

Miriam Miller, rughooking instructor, NSW Australia_photo, Gillian Lett Milton Ulladulla Times
Miriam Miller, rughooking instructor, NSW Australia_photo, Gillian Lett Milton Ulladulla Times

Miriam has also recently hosted a rug hooker from Darwin – who came on a Thursday for a private workshop and stayed overnight to take part in the Rug Day, held in the Rug Room at Narrawilly on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month.

Miriam_Millers_Rug_Room_Narrawilly_Australia_photographer_Nina_&_Michael_van_ Ewijk

 

 

 

 

 

On the Guild’s SWAP n SELL page you will find a new frame with “substitute” grippers. These frames have been used by several guild members and reports are, the substitute works well. The frame is available on both the East and West Coast.

A very different frame made in South Australia and featured on Swap Sell was sold to a rughooker in Nova Scotia.  Who’d have thought frames would be going from OZ to Canada when there is so much available in the way of rug hooking equipment over there.

  “NETWORKING”  –  it’s happening on the Guilds Facebook page – 

Cat_elusive_grey_rug_designed_&_hooked_by_Ann_Nickle_Bellingen_NSW_Australia_5816the post about a search for grey army blankets to finish off a large rug  generated much interest.  As soon as the post went up five members from across the country answered the call about the elusive blankets. After Ann’s had a chance to contact them I’ll let you know if any were suitable. Hooked_&_ woven_rugs_designed_&_created_by_Ann_Nickle_Bellingen_NSW_Australia_coloured grey woven _5799

 As you’ll see from a stack of her rugs shown here, Ann from Bellingen doesn’t only work with muted greys and blues.  

Most of Ann’s rugs are hooked, however like the denim rug shown some are woven and there’s even a  crocheted rug in the stack.

 

 

 

 

Queensland:

Judi_Tompkins_QLD_Austrlaia_with new_rughooker

Judi Tompkins not only gives workshops at her Shed studio in Landsborough, QLD, she now has a student in the Netherlands – giving her  rughooking lessons via Skype. 

Read more about Judi’s background and her creations on her website.

And then there’s the Chook Folly or maybe it’ll become Judi’s Folly –  more about this project in another blog.    Hooked_Chook_by_Judi_Tompkins_QLD_Australia

Western Australia:

Another interesting online happening;  the colourful works of Kira Mead from Albany Western Australia, were featured on Folt Bolt an inspiring website worth following.

????????????????

Some of Kira’s recent pieces,  will be displayed at Expertise Events  Craft & Quilt Fair in Perth  including this large wall hanging shown below – the oranges and tree created with quillies and the leaves crocheted.

Orange_Tree_Quillies_created_by_Kira_Mead_Albany_Western_Australia

 

 

 

 

 Colour Abounds in WA :-

Robin Inkpen has been giving locker hooking workshops in the South West. Locker-hooked_Tote_Bag_designed_&_hooked_by_Robin_Inkpen_Donnybrook_Western_Australia

More workshops are scheduled and participants will be making this tote bag from a kit prepared by sold by Robin. 

It’s not as elaborate as her bespoke carpet bags, but is an easier project for beginners.

 

 

Carpet_bag_designed_and_hooked_by_Robin_Inkpen_Western_Australia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Editor:

Don’t forget to click or tap on  Current Events to see what’s happening in your area.   Be sure and let us know if you have an event planned, or if you know of an upcoming associated textile event.  Send details to Jo at  rughookingaustralia@gmail.com

Until next time   –   Happy Hooking    –     Jo Franco;  Editor/Membership

Elusive grey blankets

Looking for elusive grey army blankets
Looking for elusive grey army blankets

  Can you help?

Maxine, leader of the Bellingen Rugmakers group, says “this grey rug is being made by Ann, it’s about 12 x 8 feet and made with up-cycled grey woolen blankets. Ann has run out of a pale grey army type blanket with only about 5 circles to go, so we are all looking for that elusive grey blanket. The denim one beside it is made from jeans and woven.”

(If you can help in Ann’s quest to find one of these blankets, please contact rughookingaustralia@gmail.com)

Anne's_rug_almost_complete      “The grey unfinished rug and the grey one Ann is now working on are both 12 feet by 8 feet.

Ann designs her own rugs and uses a linen /cotton mix for her backing. She has sewn the pieces together with her first rug and with the second has used iron on fusible hemming on the cut sides, it sits much better and stays in place.”

From Ann – This photo shows how much is left to do.   Anne's_rug_detail

    The close-up photo shows a complete circle. The grey I need is the third colour of the petal shape and the double row within the diamond shape. It seems to be the lightest colour of the old service blankets.

But as you know any shade of grey is appreciated by me as other shades can be used for the rug I am working on now.

Here is more of what Maxine had to say …..

We have a very enthusiastic and lovely group who look forward to meeting the 1st Friday of each month.  

Maxine, Aishwarya, Lyndal, Phornthip, Ann, Anna_Bellingen_Rugmakers_NSW_Australia
Bellingen Rugmakers Group:  (Right to Left) Maxine, Aishwarya, Lyndal, Phornthip, Ann, Anna.

At the end of August last year the group went to Gleniffer about 20 miles from Bellingen to demonstrate rag rugging at the Gleniffer Quilt show.  Gleniffer was once all dairy farms and is such a pretty area, nestled at the bottom of the Dorrigo mountains there is a Church and a hall. The proceeds of the Quilt Show helps maintain the hall. There is a small river running beside the hall and Church and just a couple of hundred yards further on is the Promised Land it is really a lovely area.

From the Editor:    While Ann works in shades of grey, the other members of this group, all relatively new to rug hooking, are drawn to colour as you will see in images of their work below – undoubtedly inspired by the vibrant colours in the surrounding landscape.

Bellingen_NSW_Rugmaker_Aishwarya
Aishwarya
Lyndal

 

 

Bellingen Rugmakers

Bellingen_NSW_Rugmaker_Anna
Anna

 

Bellingen_NSW_Rugmaker_Aishwarya
Aishwarya
Bellingen_Rugmakers_NSW_Australia - Phornthip
Phornthip
Bellingen_Rugmakers_NSW_Australia - Merle
Merle
Bellingen_NSW_Rugmaker_Maxine
Maxine

 

Update:  Immediately this was posted word was received from QLD that a grey army blanket is available there and a couple of blankets were located in WA.  Also images just came in from Chris and Anne from VIC who have blankets available –

grey blanket (minus the pink tinge, its on the photo not the blanket) from Chris-VIC

Grey blankets from Ann-VIC
Grey blankets from Ann-VIC

Return to the roots of this craft

TIGHR Logo RSWelcome to TIGHR’s Hooking Matters !

You’ve been invited by the Board of

The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers, (TIGHR)

                            now based in the UK

                                      to read about their initial plans for the next three-year term (2015-18)

                                       in the first edition of their members newsletter –  Hooking Matters Vol 23 Issue 1

The TIGHR mission statement reads:

The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers is a global organization of creative people who come together in friendship to share ideas, and to explore the different techniques of the art of rugmaking using a variety of fibres.

This image  “Admiring the rug” says it all  –

Admiring_the_Rug_designed_and_hooked_by_Diane_Cox_UK

Admiring the rug (39” x 32”) was designed and hooked by Membership Chair Diane Cox, who says ….

“I designed this rug to show the enjoyment in showing your latest rug to a friend, over a cup of tea, while it is rainy and grey outside! Hooked and prodded it with a mix of recycle fabrics on hessian.”

The newsletter contains interesting articles, and the images of the scenic Yorkshire Dales, will make readers who hail from these parts, and those of us who have already visited, long to return.

Want a membership form  and having problems with the one attached to the newsletter ?You’ll also find a membership form on the TIGHR website  www.tighr.net

 

 

Eastern States Award Winners and Shows

A big Winner at the Milton Show

2016_Milton_Show_Champion Award_designed_&_hooked_by_Ilka_Landahl

 

Ilka Landahl, member of the Narrawilly Proggers gathered many awards for her sculpted wall hanging  1st prize- Shorn Hooky & Proggy Item,  Special Award & Champion of Show.

When asked how she created such an interesting piece of work Ilka said ….

“I hooked it with normal and partly fancy wool a little bit higher than usual and cut it, sculpting it into shape.

Between the different sections of colours I hooked with a small strip of fabric which helps to hold the wool better and brings more out the effect.

For variety I hooked some sections normal without shaping.

It makes a lot dust and fluff so I had the vacuum cleaner by my side all the time.

I like it because it looks so cosy/cuddly.”

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Editors note for overseas readers; Shows are held across Australia in Capital cities and country areas. In general they are a combination of agricultural displays, stock and farm machinery,  and competitions involving livestock, as well as arts & crafts and entertainment – similar to a State or County Fair in North America. They are generally called Pastoral or Agricultural Society Shows or AgFests.

Members of the Narrawilly Proggers have been entering rugs in competiton at the Milton Show for some time.

Miriam Miller said ……

“I cannot remember when the first time was, but it was many years ago and at first we entered in the general handicraft section under “Any article made from recycled materials(soft)”    Then we got our own section which was about 6 years ago.

We have 5 categories.  Jacqui Thomson and I provide the prizes. The stewards are Janet Walker and Elke Smith-Hill and we also provide our own judge. We have a different person judge each year.

While many of our members compete in the various categories, some just exhibit their work, demonstrate rug hooking and talk to interested visitors about the craft.”

2016_Milton_Show_Christine_AlexanderAbove Christine Alexander taking a break in a quiet moment at the Show.

The following are images of winners and place-getters in the various rug making categories

2016_Milton_Show_1_1st_Place_Proggy_Floor_Rug_by_Carol Flyn_1st prize winner in Proggy Floor Rug by Carol Flynn

2016_Milton_Show_2_Special_Award_Pat_la_Rance - Copy

Pat la Rance received a Special Award for this piece

2016_Milton_Show_3_2nd_Hooky_and_or_Proggy_Wall_Hanging_Gail_Nicholls

Gail Nicholls took 2nd    Hooky & Proggy Wall Hanging for her superb work in this rug.

 

2016_Milton_Show_4_Chloe_ThompsonThe Santa cushion was hooked by a 14 year old. Chloe Thompson who received a Highly Commended Award.  

2016_Milton_Show_5_2nd_prize_Hooky_or_Proggy_item_not_otherwise_mentioned_Marilyn_Smyth

This bag by Marilyn Smyth took   2dn prize Hooky  or Proggy item not otherwise mentioned.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

1st prize in the Hooky Floor Rug category was awarded to Elaine Kitchner for her floral rug.

1st prize in Hooky or Proggy item not otherwise mentioned was created by Christine Alexander

2016_Milton_Show_2nd_Hooked_Floor_Rug_by_Maggie_HickeyMaggie Hickey  took 2nd prize in the Hooked Floor Rug category.

2nd Prize Proggy Rug  was awarded to Bev Latta for this rug  82cm x 110cm (33″x43.5″)

Carol Thompsons received a  Highly commended award in the Hooky and/or Proggy Wall Hanging category for her hooked and framed rug.

 

TO THE NORTH, in Queensland, there was a SHOW of a different kind!

Judi Tompkins held her first Sunday “Shed Day“  – it was a huge success – the inclusion of a wine tasting may have had something to do with that.  Jewellery was shown along with some rather unique mens shirts.

Here is a report on the event from Judi Tompkins –

13 people attended the “Leap Year Eve” Shed Day and Wine tasting…several other people were also invited to the wine tasting which meant Ron Duggelby was able to show off some great lapidary and wire wrapped jewellery which inspired several people in terms of colour and design.

Ron_Duggelby_lapidary_&_wire_wrapped_Jewellery

Several hookers wanted to learn how to locker hook (and thanks to my tuition by Robin Inkpen I was able to show them the basics!).

Margaret_learning_to_locker_hookMargaret’s first lesson in locker hooking.   

Sally_with_new_locker_hooking_project

Sally starting on a new locker hooking project.

We then we moved on to lunch where Simon Rawlins from Pieroth Wines offered a great range of white, red and dessert wines form South American and Europe.

Simon_Rawlins_Pieroth_Wines_Wine_tasting

Finally, Jacqueline Rawlins brought in a selection of her shirt design work, she uses Aboriginal print fabrics (designs approved by the Aboriginal elders) and turns the fabric into high-quality men’s shirts for the Australian climate.

Jacqueline_Rawlins_designed_mens_shirts

It was a day of fun for the senses; colour, taste, texture and folks! It was especially nice to have virtually two “visiting artists”!

More from the Editor: 

There will be another Show report in the  next News – the exhibition of rugs at a NSW Quilt Show.

Are you thinking of setting up a Rug Show? Watch the ARG News Blog coming soon  – for an article on “Judging Rug Shows” – where our members  will offer their suggested guidelines for choosing a judging panel as well as the criteria for judging rug submissions.

Jo Franco

Textile Exhibitions coming up in West Australia

Currently;    in Albany –

Kira Mead has her work on exhibition at a pop-up gallery

Smiths_cottage_Albany_Western_AustraliaSmith’s Cottage (1887) 34-36 Stead Rd, Albany (Open by appointment) Call: 0429 418 192   or email:  kira.goldmx@westnet.com.au

Hand_dyed_wool_fat_quarters

Also available for sale, 

kits and

Fat Quarters of a different kind …. 

Hand dyed Wool Blanket Fat Quarters.

  Still in the South West; 

 WAFTA’s Memory & Commemoration on exhibit from March 5 to April 4 2016

in association with the Lake Grace Regional Artspace,  25 Stubbs St, Lake Grace. 

Memmory_Commemoration - Copy

 In conjunction with this exhibition Robin Inkpen   will be giving a locker hooking workshop Locker_hooked_sari_silk_by_Robin_Inkpen_West_Australia

Sunday March 20th – Get Hooked at Lake Grace with Robin INKPEN

To book and for a full workshop description go to Current Calendar of Events on this websites.

The Exhibition will travel from Lake Grace to 

Busselton

Art/Geo Gallery,

April 9 – May 15, 2016

Exhibition Opening, Saturday April 9th with Pop-Up Market Stalls between 1-4pm.

Eventbrite links for Booking & Payment will be active closer to the date for the following workshops:

Sunday 10th April  –   Fabulous Ferrous with Kerrie Argent

Saturday 16th April  –  Making Felt in the Third Dimension with Martien van Zuilen

Sunday 17th April  –  Reconstructing Fashion with Lorelie Smit

Saturday 30th April  –  Plants and Sacred Geometry with Pauline Melrose White

Sunday 1st May  –  Get Knotted with Rowan Rovere

WAFTA_website_montage

 While in the Perth Metro Area during March/April ;

comes the following from Jan Holland’s News at WAFTA;

Anne William’s first solo exhibition  Through the Singing of my Hands will be held at Mundaring Arts Centre, in Gallery 2

March 19th to April 17 2016

Anne_Williams_Western_Australia_entry_WAFTA_Memory_Commemoration_2015 - Copy

Anne Williams – Artist statement ‘Housewives’ (sewing kits) were standard army issue for the ‘Nashos’ of the 1950s. They have been carried into battle zones all around the world. This one was issued to Pte. Ian Williams in 1956/7.

Concurrent with this exhibition, Gallery 1 is showing an exhibition for the Mundaring Shire Acquisition Award on the theme of Migration and Settlement. The Gallery is a great venue to visit with a gorgeous shop full of wonderful work by WA artists and crafts folk. Well worth the trip up the Hill.

Read about Anne’s journey into textiles in a very interesting interview by Louise Wells

 Also in News from WAFTA is

“Improbable Returns”

Elisa Markes-Young (mixed-media/textiles)

& Christopher Young (photo-media)

Heathcote Museum & Gallery,

Swan House, 58  Duncraig Rd, Applecross

Opens Friday March 4 2016

 The exhibition will continue through to April 10. Gallery will be open Tues to Fri 10-3 and Sat/Sun 12pm to 4pm   Closed on Mondays

To preview the exhibition    see http://www.zebra-factory.com/returns

                 

Combining Felting with Rug Hooking

A New Year and new combinations with rug hooking.

Some members of the Wanneroo Rugmakers group like to knit and crochet and some also like to felt.  At the Group’s first meeting for the year Margaret showed her recently felted pieces – images of these have just arrived in my INBOX.

  Margaret says…..    

“The small bowls were cobweb felting and for the flower I used Corriedale wool roving that I just wet felted.  My botanical piece was also wet felted with merino wool and silk. I’ve looked at Kris McDermet’s website – love her work and am really disappointed Kris is so far away.”

Felted_creations_by_Margaret_Stuart_Western_Australia

Floral_by_Margaret_Stuart

In Albany, Western Australia, Kira Mead, featured in the January issue of Rug Hooking Magazine,  is experimenting again ….

this time hooking into felt. Kira tells me she is “contemplating involving felt with standing wool.”

Hooked_felt_Kira_Mead

Also in my INBOX today was the Blog from Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild  with an article about Kris McDermet’s upcoming braiding classes and mentioning Kris’s recent awards including 2015 Rug Hooking Magazine’s Celebrations – where Kris was a finalist in the Original Category for “Prints”

Prints_by_Kris_McDermet

“Prints” Described below by Kris;

“This is a 7 path Labyrinth – it is 5 feet round. The braids are the walls of the labyrinth and the hooking the foot paths. The birds, bugs, flowers, prints, leaves etc. are found on our labyrinth paths that we made in our field here in Vermont, USA.”

Australian rugmakers who were in Strathalbyn, South Australia in 2012 for the TIGHR Conference will remember meeting Kris and I’m sure would be interested to hear of her recent award and also the new combinations she is using.

On her website Kris talks about her love of combining hooking and braiding and also combining wool and silk. The latest addition to her combinations is Nuno felting with various wool and silk fibers felted together and cut into shapes and then combined into her hooking  – like the heart shapes used in her wall hanging “Passion”.

passion_by_Kris_Mcdermet

Passion 48”round  Wool silk Nuno felted hearts

You can see more of Kris’s work on her website www. krismcdermetrugs.com

Calendar of Events 2016

Events for 2016  have been added to the Calendar on this website – with more still to be entered.

The first for 2016 will be in Queensland – 19th & 20th February – Punchneedle hooking with Bec Andersen

Sally, from Brisbane, who introduced us to the gripper strips substitute available in Australia (shown on a frame in the recently published Guild newsletter) has taken a punchneedle class with Bec and recently sent these images ……… here is what Sally said –

This is a photo of the piece I did in Bec’s “Intro to Punchneedle”  class. I drew the design based on some of the source material that Bec had available in the class.   All of the wool yarn is hand dyed by Bec.

 Designed_and_Punch-hooked_by_Sally_Randal_QLD_Australia  

  The photo below shows preparing our backing, drawing designs and choosing wool, for the punchneedle class with Bec in her studio.

Designing_punch-hooked_piece_at_Bec_Andersens_QLD_Australia

I would strongly recommend Bec’s classes as she has a way of presenting information that is fun, and she was really well prepared for the class.”

Be sure and check out the Current Calendar & Events page for more workshops by Bec and workshops around Australia by other Guild members.

Guild Newsletter & Benefits of Membership

The question often asked  – “What are the benefits of Guild membership?”  

From the Editor:

The first issue for 2016 of the Guild’s newsletter “In the Loop”   is almost ready to be sent out to Members. As I look at the articles included, one of the main benefits of membership is obvious, that is, members can advertise (free of charge) on this website their events, projects and any rug hooking items they may want to sell.

For example a Guild Member from Victoria (Aust) has found a very creative way, using the  etsy.com  online  website,  to publicise the Chris_Noorbergenhooking_rug_Design_by_Rittemerework she does to raise funds for  a charitable organization and to sell the tools needed for the project.

Chris has combined her love of rug hooking with a fund raising opportunity and as a member of the Guild, Chris also has coverage of her project and sales on this website.

 

 

 

Here in Chris’s own words , as posted on her etsy.com site,  is how her project came about :

From Rugs to Rug Tools

I became a ‘Rug Maker’ about five years ago. I fell in love with wool, but being an Australian resident, there were no workshops in the whole of Victoria. So online I went and what a treasure trove of websites, YouTube videos, online classrooms and blogs I found.

I soon learned how to hook rugs, dye my own wool and make some of our much needed tools, for example I needed a table frame for my current project – an oriental rug and an ambitious project to say the least and since the postage from the US was far too expensive I had to make my own, with the help of hubby off course.

Cheticamp_style_frame_made_by_Chris

In 2012  I attended a Rug Making Expo in Sth Australia and met some like minded women and before you know it we started a group, now known as the Yarra Valley Rugmakers, member of the Victorian Rug makers and the Australian Rug Makers Guild.

Tools are not too easy to find in Australia and us Victorian ladies had to send for them either from interstate or overseas.

This year I have started giving Rug Making workshops from which all the fees will go to overseas missions, namely Uganda and India. I therefore needed hooks, so this lead me to look into importing hooks from overseas and I now sell beautiful handcrafted hooks, made in Ireland but sold from Australia, thus “Rughooks for missions”

Irish_rug_hooks_from_Australia_to_the_world_rug_hooks_for_missions

With our Australian currency being low, it is very viable for rug hookers from overseas to buy my hooks. I hope you will support me and leave favourable reviews and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

 

Comments or questions for Chris can be added below, or if you’d like to send her a personal message you can contact her through this website –

email:   rughookingaustralia@gmail.com         and your message will be forwarded.

Start the New Year with Rug Hooking Magazine

Jan/Feb 2016  and read the article by Australia’s Accidental Rugmaker, Kira Mead.

 It’s just over a year since Gay Wilkes, a founding member of ARG from Albany, Western Australia, sent me a picture of Kira’s work – a wall hanging made from recycled wool blankets.

Kira Mead with one of her vibrant rugs. Picture: Lata Photography
Kira Mead with one of her vibrant rugs. Picture: Lata Photography

 As Membership Chair, I invited Kira to join the Guild – she was surprized, said she wasn’t a rugmaker, so I explained that though she didn’t know it, she was using a rugmaking technique and making quillies, so was an “accidental rugmaker”, a term Kira has adopted.

Throughout the past year Kira has experimented with eco dyeing, hanging odd-shaped wall art Rose_Gelato_Quillie_rug_by_Kira_Mead_Albany_West_Australia_Grid Back Framingand various rug making techniques.   Her open and sharing personality reflects the bright colours she likes to work with.

Quillie_rug_created_by_Kira_Mead_Albany_West_Australia_titled_So What_as_in_Miles_Davis

           After  going viral on the Guild Facebook page, the giant quillies went from wall hangings to chair covers, to 3D vessels and seat and floor cushions and more.

Chair_Top_Finished_created_by_Kira_Mead_Albany_West_Australia - Copy

3_D Quillie_designed_&_created_by_Kira_Mead_Albany_West_Australia

Quillie_Floor_cushion_by_Kira_Mead

Kira's quilllie cup mat.
Kira’s quilllie cup mat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like many Australian Guild members, Kira’s an isolated rug hooker, she lives in a country town about 417 ks (259 miles) south of Perth.   There are rug hookers in and around the area, Gay and others who have taken the workshops Judith Stephens and I gave in 2010 and 2011, but so far no group has been formed.

Newly retired and looking for an artistic outlet, Kira searched the web and came across the giant quillies. Now as a member of the rugmakers guild Kira continues to search out different techniques on the web and again was surprized to discover this chain stitch is a “rugmaking” technique, one of several stitches to have “cross pollinated” from embroidery to rug making.

King_George_Sound_chain_stitched_rug_135x95_designed_&_hooked_by_Kira_Mead

There’s been articles in previous issues of Rug Hooking Magazine by Laura Pierce, Gene Shepherd and others detailing various rughooking stitches.

Ranunculas_Designed_hooked_chain_stitch_by_Kira_Mead_West_Australia

Still using chain stitch, Kira has made yet another transition from embroidery to rughooking, by creating a design from a traditional pattern worked in cross stitch.  She had been researching Bukovina/Ukrainian and Romanian patterns as it is the area her paternal family are from. Then found in her linen cupboard a piece her grandmother brought with her when the family came to Australia as displaced persons in 1950.

Below, made to celebrate International Rug Hooking Day

is the piece underway, made with up-cycled 100% Wool (Albany Woollen Mill) blankets and the finished project.

Romanian design from Kiras paternal grandmother

Romanian_design_hooked_chain_stitch_by_Kira_Mead

“In my Bunica’s Travel Trunk”   29cm x 29cm

Now I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing what Kira comes up with in 2016.

The year is just beginning and these Before/After images have arrived in my Inbox  “shibori felted knitting”  ??

Pippa_before_losing_knitted_jacket_to_Kira_Meads_Shibori_ProjectAfter_Kira_Shiboried_knitted_vest

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pippa the pooch about to loose the jacket and the jacket after felting, with some “additions”.

Kira intends to enter a hooked fibre sculpture in  WAFTA 21+   a juried Exhibition –  so images of that work must be kept under wraps until after selection for the  Exhibition.

Editors Note:      As a trainee instructor at my first McGown Guild Workshop in Eugene, Oregon, 2002, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Marie Bresch an accomplished rug hooker (you can find Marie’s name listed in Rug Hooking Magazine as a member of the Emeritus Board).  Marie learned to hook in Canada many years ago in a very formal class setting where everyone was expected to learn all the rug hooking rules, as well as the different creative stitches used in rug making – 13 I was told. Marie said the stitches were detailed in a book published in Canada. I’m thinking given that time frame, it was probably by Rittermere.   

You often hear reference to  the “rughooking police”, but don’t worry its now OK to break some of the rules. Back then, at a time when rugs were IN USE … ON THE FLOOR, the rules were in place to preserve the life of the rugs.    I’ve met rug hookers in the USA & Canada who have on their floors, rugs made by their Grandmothers – its possible some of these rugs could be close to 100 years old because my friends are “mature age” and their mothers remembered the same rugs being on the floor when they were children.                                      

Happy New Year to All              Jo Franco