Sunday, January 9, 2011

My First Hooking Class

With much apprehension, I attended my first rug hooking class on Friday evening and all day Saturday at the Moose River Rug Hooking Studio in the tiny community near to where we live. 

The class was designed to teach several different hooking stitches and techniques and the project that we worked on will eventually be transformed into a little hooked purse like the one below.  Regrettably, I cannot claim this little beauty to be mine as it belongs to Kathy Leblanc who was our teacher for this class.

SAM_0947

Each little ‘block’ displays a different stitch that can be used when hooking on different elements in a rug to achieve interest, dimension and texture.  Some of the stitches were a little tricky but with Kathy’s help, we were all able to execute each one…including a raw beginner like me.  Even the seasoned hookers learned a lot from this workshop.

We were each given a piece of burlap with the pattern already on so we could start right in.  Kathy would demonstrate each stitch and then visit each of us to critique and offer assistance as needed.

SAM_0950

We all worked like busy little beavers.

SAM_0951

Kathy insisted that we take a break around mid morning…

SAM_0952

to stretch our legs and partake of the tea, coffee and goodies provided by the gracious shop owners.

SAM_0953

We hooked, chatted and laughed our way through the morning session where by this time we had attempted about half of the stitches.  I decided to go with bold colors, kinda crazy quilt style.

SAM_0954

Hooking is very strenuous work you know…*wink*… so we recharged our batteries by being treated to a delicious home made lunch which was made and provided by the shop owners.

SAM_0956

With one short break in the afternoon, we worked until 4 p.m. at which time we called it a day and had show-and-tell.  No two projects looked the same and a few of the gals chose to hook theirs using yarn instead of wool.

SAM_0957

I’m hoping to have the hooking finished by Tuesday so I can bring it to our weekly hook-in at the shop. 

SAM_0960

What an incredibly fun day we all had, complimented by a great teacher, incredibly hospitable hosts and a great group of gals.

I think it goes without saying…

I’m HOOKED!

Kaaren ♥

55 comments:

gracie said...

Well...first you are a good hooker...I mean ...you know! Secondly, the shop looks like just the right place to learn and breaks and lunch...how very nice. Your bag is going to look great...looking forward to see it completed.

By Hoki Quilts said...

So now do we call you the 'Happy Hooker', *wink*. What a great sampler to display the 'stitches'. Just awesome and you seem to have taken to it like a duck to water -well done. I'm so pleased that you have found a nice group of gals to be involved with, it always helps when settling into a new place.
hugs
Miche'le

Dawn said...

Oh wow... this looks fabulous and so much fun...I am sure it is so so addictive.
Hugs Dawn xx

Janet said...

Wow, I love the bag. Hooking looks like it's so relaxing and I bet you lose track of time. What a great class.

Lilian Pilar said...

is a wonderful job, and you look super engaged, meeting, meet new people and the place is wonderful ... a big hug ...

Elzaan said...

Great job Kaaren!!!
Looks like you are having fun being a...Hooker...and making so many new friends.That is a great place to be indeed!
Elzaan

Anonymous said...

Wow - looks great... can't wait to see you finished bag.

Iron Girl!! said...

This looks like great fun! I remember hook rugs back when I was a kid - loved doing those one after the other. Can't wait to see your finished purse!

Cheryl said...

What a great way to spend the day. I have heard of this studio before, I think. Lots of beautiful things come out of there, including your project.

Abby and Stephanie said...

A whole new style of bag making. LOVE it. Perhaps I need a class? Can't wait to see your finished bag. Does Mr. Painted Quilt know you spend your days hooking? :o) What a lovely place to spend a day, and you don't even have to cook!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

That bag is going to be so gorgeous Kaaren and the workshop sounds delightful!

Janet said...

I just LOVE that bag! How wonderful for you to have found this group - they've got to help make you feel like you're "home" in your new home!

jfquilts@gmail.com

Ann at Prairie Primrose said...

How wonderful! It sounds like you have found a great new store to visit and new friends to meet up with! Enjoy your new hobby!

Heckety said...

What fun! And very jolly colours and pattern, to say nothing of the cute finished result!
That shop area in your photos looks really spacious and welcoming, and you all seemed to have good fun. I hope you settle in soon and feel at home!

Wanda said...

Oh Kaaren, how beautiful. You did an absolutely beautiful job. I really want to see it when you are done. Keep up the great work.

Wanda
http://wandas-quilts-crafts.blogspot.com/

Linda said...

Wow! I'm impressed. This bag is going to look fantastic. I'm glad that you are partaking in hooking. Great way to meat hookers. Did your shoulders and neck hurt? What a lovely way to spend a day.

Cindy said...

Sounds like such a delightful day, Kaaren. It appears that you're fitting right into the community, enjoying all it has to offer.

Looks so warm and comfy at the shop. What a wonderful hostess to provide the goodies to snack on while having a day of learning to hook.

And here I thought "hooking" was easier..(wink)

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

How fun and what a great shop to learn in! Can't wait to see your finished piece!
Happy Hooking!
xx, shell

Anonymous said...

Hi Kaaren,

You're bag looks great. Love the pattern. Sounds like you had a great day, what with lunch and all. Will look forward to seeing your finished bag. Didn't know there were so many stitches in rug hooking. Great way to learn them. Glad to see you are getting away from the boxes with such an absorbing hobby. Dianne

Mosaic Magpie said...

Lucky you! Hooked indeed, looks like great fun and how nice to have a hooking shop so close by!
Debbie

Kathleen said...

It really looks like you had a wonderful time and so nice that you have met a new group of people that share your same interests..can't wait to see your finished purse...

Lori said...

Its a hooked rug sampler purse! How cool is that? You have a great start and I'm sure it will be beautiful when finished.

Kathy said...

HA....now that you are officially a HOOKER, you will have to learn to STRIP...pices of wool, that is! You should have heard my boss when he overheard my conversation the otherday...and I work in a High School...I had "some 'splainin' to do, Ricky!" He wasn't upset...he knows I'm a quilter, etc.
Sounds like this town was meant to be yours! I've been to Maine and Vermont for Hooking supplies, someday we'd like to go to Nova Scotia. HAVE FUN

pinsandneedles said...

Looks like a great time. Fun to learn a new craft. Way to hook!

Carol said...

Looks like a great day all round. We should all move there :)

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

What a fun day! And a great idea for a project too. I could get lost in that shop all day I think.

Tuesday I start my project - now to draw out my design. I have pics of my inspirations all ready and the linen burlap all ready - now to get those creative juices flowing...

Darlene said...

Wow what a fun class - your purse is going to be sweet.

Susannah said...

What a lovely purse...I would carry that everywhere! Glad you are making new friends and enjoying yourself.

Susannah

Marie said...

What a great day and how nice that the shop provided 'goodies' and 'lunch'. I have always thought that would be nice and bring repeat customers. Sad to say, our closest LQS would not think of something like that.

Hugs - Marie

WoolenSails said...

You have learned quickly and doing a beautiful job on our purse. It is wonderful that you have a place like that to learn and make new friends in the area.

Debbie

Ann Champion said...

Your sampler looks wonderful! I didn't know there were so many different stitches? I bumbled my way through hooking a pillow on my own. A class would have been such a help.
I look forward to seeing your finished purse. Well done Kaaren!

Shelley said...

Wow and wahoo for you!! I bet it felt sooo good to get those fibres in your hands! I have a few supplies for this but have no teacher around here. May have to go back and try it again in my "spare" time LOL!

Red Heads said...

Looks like you had a great hooking class. Love the purse. It will be ONE OF A KIND...The shop looks great also. Good snowy day to you. Dianne.

Anonymous said...

I think this is wonderful that you just moved and so quickly are meeting friends that you have something in common with! I'm very envious from afar!

Janet said...

It sounds like you are thoroughly enjoying this project and wat a great way to take your mind off the stress of renovating - sounds like a wonderful shop, and you are making me think of a first project in hooking that i have in my stash. I must dust off the frame and start on it this winter. Right now, my secondary addiction after quiltmaking seems to be knitting!!
Not enough hours in the day!
Janet in hall's harbour

Marsha B said...

That sounds like so much fun! It's great to spend some time with other women learning something new. Your bag is going to be so cute!

Shakerwood said...

So will you be changing your blog name to the The Painted Hooker? LOL So happy that you could find something nearby to help you settle in. Great job!!

Gayle said...

Kaaren - Our local rug hooking guild is having a meeting next Saturday and we will be having several demonstrations showing different hooking techniques - how I wish we had planned to put them all into a single project like this class you've taken - it would hve been SO much better! Sounds like you learned a lot!

Allie said...

Oh my gosh that looks like such fun - I love that rug on the wall with the trees in your third pic. Your bag looks great, and how wonderful is it that the shop feeds you so well! I imagine hooking uses a lot of calories, gotta keep your strength up! I'm looking forward to seeing your finished bag!

Lindah said...

That is so cool! --the bag, the design/stitches/colors/textures, the class and the shop. What a fun way to get introduced to the new community.

Judy C said...

Looks like you had a wonderfull time and you accomplished a good deal. Think I will go look up some rug hooking supplies may want to try this on a small piece.

onlymehere said...

I just love taking classes and learning new things! How fun for you to be making new friends and learning such fun new things.

Sandy said...

What a great way to learn new stitches...a sampler purse. Looks like everyone had a good time!

Patty said...

Looks like fun I'll have to add hooking to my bucket list. I'm glad you were able to find this little shop so soon after the move, seems like a good way to meet the locals.

Unknown said...

What a great class. You all did awesome. The shop looks like a lot of trouble to me (in a good way).

Sue said...

great project and sounds like you had a great time....

Elyte said...

A great opportunity to learn a new skill and meet some neighbours. Have fun.

Anonymous said...

Stumbled onto your site - your wonderful music has kept me here for going on 40 minutes, looking at Everything! Love your designs!

Karen

Micki said...

It's going to be lovely. I wish that
I could learn it...It does look like fun!
Micki

Candace said...

Wow - you are inspiration for both Mr. Squash and I! Happy Hooking, Kaaren!
Cheers!

Heidi said...

Oh...this looks like it was such a fun day! Love things like this and sharing the fun with others who have our needle virus. Love the idea that this will become a purse.

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

Siobhán said...

I am sooo happy for you that you've found a nice hooking group, Kaaren! I love your project. I also enjoyed the pics of your new area... keep posting 'em! :)

SueB said...

You have been a good hooker. Your little purse is going to be so cute. Keep posting photos.

Carrie P. said...

Looks like a very fun time.

Carole said...

Wow! What a sweet shop! I'd be hooked too! Thanks for sharing! Cheers!