In this delightful video, Judy Taylor explains and demonstrates Nantucket rug hooking, which is done without a frame. Judy makes her rugs from handspun wool or yarn made from the fleece of sheep she raises at her farm in Auburn, Washington.
Beginning rug hookers will be put at ease by Judy's relaxed style as she discusses the different types of wool produced by the various sheep she raises. Judy shows how she shears her sheep and then combs, cards and spins the wool into yarn for hooking rugs.
To demonstrate Nantucket hooking, Judy uses one of the small kits that she sells. With classical music as a backdrop, Judy demonstrates how to tuck the backing around your legs and start hooking. She shows what that elusive left hand should be doing underneath the burlap. But for the most part, Judy lets the demonstration speak for itself, offering suggestions only when necessary.
Once the project is hooked, then next lesson is how to finish a hooked piece. Judy discusses two different ways of finishing, depending on whether the piece is intended as a wall-hanging or a floor comvering that will be walked on. She then covers proper care and cleaning of hand-hooked rugs, and gives a recipe for a cleaning solution.
Finally, Judy evaluates the relative merits of different backings. She also shows and describes various hooking materials that can be used, from yarn to wool strips to wool embroidery thread. Throughout the video the viewer is treated to sights of many of Judy's hooked pieces, as well as her farm.
Reprinted with permission from Rug Hooking Magazine, September/October, 1996. Review was written by Brenda Wilt.
