A Happy Hooker!

I have always had an appreciation for all things that are created by hand, perhaps because that was my job as an artist.  If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, then you know that I have always had a love affair with quilts and vowed that when I retired, I would learn to make my own quilts to go along with the antique ones that I managed to collect over time.  I have happily been doing that for the past three years and loving every minute of it!

But, there is also something else that I’ve always had a burning desire to learn to do.  “What is that?” you might ask. 

I want to be a hooker! 

How hard can it possibly be?  Heck, if I taught myself how to quilt then I can certainly teach myself how to hook…right?  I’ve been told that I’m a fairly quick study and that I pick things up easily so I decided that if I don’t give it a go now, then I might never have another chance to live the dream.

So with Mr. PQ’s full support, we set out for Montpelier, Vermont on Friday morning.

Two hours later, we arrived in downtown Montpelier.  Can you see the golden roof of the state Senate dome way off in the background?

Five miles out of town, we pulled up in front of Green Mountain Hooked Rugs, an incredible full service shop…a hooker’s paradise!

The shop is owned by Stephanie Ashworth-Krauss, a fourth generation, award-winning hooker.

I had spoken with Stephanie on the phone and had made arrangements that we meet at her shop on Friday morning in order for her to show me the basic fundamentals and to also purchase the supplies I’d need to start hooking.

I love wool and love working with wool.  When I opened the door, this is what greeted me.

My heart started to beat a little faster because everywhere I looked…

Mountains upon mountains of wool!

Do you see the rug draped over the stand in front of the rocking chair?  That’s one of Stephanie’s WIP’s, and it’s also what I practiced on.  The runner on the floor was hooked by Stephanie’s Mom.  Amazing, huh?

And more bolts of wool to make my head spin.

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After my mini lesson, here’s what came home with me…

A lap frame…

A wool cutter and the backing and pattern for my first rug…

And a hook, of course!  After all, how can I be a hooker without a hook?

Did you notice my first loops?  My new journey has begun.

After bidding Stephanie adieu, Mr. PQ, Mac, our Westie and I headed off.  We spent the next two days shopping and taking in the sights in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and made our leisurely way back on Sunday.  By the time we arrived home,  I was too tired to hook  *wink* but I did some stripping instead…with my new wool cutter… in order to be ready to start in later today.

So needless to say, I’m a happy hooker…or is that hooker-in-training?

Happy stitching…and hooking!

Kaaren ♥