Painting with Yarn
I love making rugs and wanted to show you the 4 seasons rugs I've been working on. I don't hook them in the traditional sense, but use a punch needle and hook them from the back. As I've mentioned before we have a collection of baby chick painting, and that was the inspiration for my 4 seasons of rugs. I made the baby chick with lily of the valley for spring.
The baby chick with the strawberries is the summer rug.
My autumn rug is still a work in progress...baby chicks with a basket of apples.
You can see it's still on the frame, so this is the back of the rug. You don't see the length of the yarn, that's why you still see the white background between the stitches. I promise I'll post a photo when it's done! I use strips of carpet tacks to hold the monk's cloth in place while I'm working. ( I cover the tacks with a pad while I'm hooking or I'd be bleeding all over the rug!)
I still haven't made a final decision on the winter rug. I have a couple of sketches, but nothing that I'm loving. I've thought about greens and pine cones, or maybe holly leaves and berries..who knows!! I really enjoy the whole process, from sketching my ideas, to choosing the yarns, to hooking the rug. It's like painting with yarn....some of the hand dyed yarns are just beautiful to hook with.
This rug is very special too...my daughter learned to ride on a sweet old white pony named Snowball.
She was in kindergarten when she first rode Snowball, and she would tell me all the time that Snowball understood everything she told him. I could peek into her room and find her sitting on top of a pile of pillows "riding" and talking to an "imaginary" Snowball. I mean really, what little girl doesn't love a pony!!!
Wishing a Happy Mother's Day to all, I hope everyone had a great weekend!!
Meleen
Your rugs are great ! I have wanted to learn to do this rug hooking for awhile. I love the rustic, homespun feel.
Posted by: Dede Warren | May 12, 2008 at 11:55 AM
These are gorgeous Meleen! I love this technique. Ooh... and your seed boxes are wonderful too! I only just sent your Friendship Pin off today. So sorry for being such a slow poke! Hope you have a great week.
Posted by: Melissa | May 12, 2008 at 01:08 PM
How fun to see the process on all of this. I loved hooked rugs, so gorgeous and cozy under one's feets! : D These are beautiful!
c
Posted by: Cindy | May 12, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Those are amazing Meleen...truly!!!! I am so sorry to hear about your mom...must have been really rough for you! Hope you had a nice day yesterday and I still haven't forgotten about getting to TT!!!!
Posted by: jennifer | May 12, 2008 at 09:53 PM
How absolutely gorgeous. I'm in awe!!!
Posted by: Cami @ Heart-Shaped Rock Cottage | May 14, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Meleen, these rugs are amazing, Gorgeous! Love it!
Magic and Joy!
Lisa!
Posted by: Lisa Kettell | May 18, 2008 at 12:01 PM