Rug Hooking - a few projects finished at last!

I've been jumping from project to project lately .... as a result, I ended up with several half-finished pieces, which "drives me crazy"!   So, with the weather turning chilly and gray, I spent a few cozy days at home, finishing things up!  What a good feeling!  Now I can get started on some new projects... A hooked rug is also among the newly finished projects and a pic will follow shortly.

Rug Hooked Chair Pad
Wool hooked on burlap
Measures 11 1/2" in diameter
$65
SOLD

Rug Hooked Hot Pad
Wool hooked in burlap
Measures 8 3/4" x 8 3/4"
$40

Rug Hooked Hot Pad
Wool hooked on burlap
8 1/2" x 8 3/4"
$40

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Rug Hooked Chair Pads

I recently spent a wonderful week away - a few days in Kelowna with my brother and sister-in-law (Ken & Coleen); then off to Calgary for the wedding of my niece Kendal (daughter of my brother and sister-in-law Steve & Laura).  It was great to see the whole family - including mom! - all together.  But no matter where I go, my work goes with me.  I actually managed to hook these two chair pads while I was away - just in time for Thursday market when I returned home.

Cheerful Chicken Hooked Chair Pad
Wool hooked on burlap
Measures 12" in diameter
$65
SOLD

Sweet Tea Pot Hooked Chair Pad
Wool hooked on burlap
Measures 12" in diameter
$65

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Needle Felted Floral Wall Hanging

I've really missed needle felting this winter, but - with all the bits of fuzzy wool rovings that find their way into every nook and cranny - it's definitely an "outdoor sport"!  Over the last month, we've had a few lovely warm sunny days - so I've been able to work out on the deck.  NICE!

This sweet little floral wall hanging incorporates hand-dyed wool rovings, and tiny beads to catch the light. The piece measures 10 1/2" x 6 3/4" (excluding twig).

Needle Felted Floral Wall Hanging
$40
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net
SOLD

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Wool "mug rugs"

What is it with me and circles!???  They certainly make their way into many of my projects.   These "mug rugs" (coasters) were made with a double layer of boiled wool, then embellished with a random machine stitch.  Several of the pieces incorporate hand-dyed wool to give a more interesting texture.

SOLD

Boiled Wool, Machine Embellished "Mug Rugs"
Set of 4  - $18
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net

Boiled Wool Mug Rugs

I'm up to my eyeballs in half-finished projects so I decided to take today to tackle each of them one at a time - and try to stay focused!

Among the many items my neighbor Suzanne donated to me - contributions to my growing stash of fabulous fabrics and yarns - was a beautiful half-finished wool sweater with a lovely intricate pattern.  After felting the sweater in a hot wash, I turned the wool into these colourful double-layer "mug rugs" - and finished them off with a blanket stitch in a complementary colour.

Boiled Wool Mug Rugs (Coasters)
Set of 4 - $18
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net

Wool Hot Pads & "Mug Rugs"

I knew there was still a bit of life left in the beautiful striped burgundy and green blanket!  After disposing of the "holey" bits, I was able to make five sets of 4 coasters (mug rugs); and six hot pads.  Each item is double-thickness, machine stitched, and then finished off with a complementary blanket stitch edging.

The rich colours in these pieces would add lots of life to a rustic environment.....

Wool Hot Pads & Mug Rugs

Hot pads measure approx. 8" x 8"
$15 each

Mug Rugs measure approx. 4  1/2" diameter
 (Set of 4) - $20 each

Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net

Rug Hooked Hot Pad

This hot pad, like many I've done in the past, is designed to use up the leftover strands of wool from other projects. This design, traditionally called 'hit and miss' is misleading.  To end up with a well-balanced design - both in colour and texture - takes a critical eye and some careful colour planning.  In the end, though, it is a great way to bust that stash!

Rug Hooked Hot Pad
Measures 8 1/4" x 8"
$38
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net

Rug Hooked Hot Pad

The primitive floral design on this hot pad was hooked entirely with recycled wool fabric on burlap.  Cheerful and colourful, this little piece would definitely add a hint of summer to your kitchen or dining table.

Rug Hooked Hot Pad
Measures 8 1/2" x 9"
$40
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net
SOLD

Rug Hooked Hot Pad

This charming chick was hooked using recycled wool fabric on burlap; the background was done in oatmeal coloured pure wool yarns - and would make a great and useful addition to any cottage or country kitchen!

Rug Hooked Hot Pad
Measures 8 1/2" x 9"
$40
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net
SOLD

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Rug Hooked Hot Pad

A nice touch for any kitchen or dining table, this hot pad is not only sweet, but practical!  The chubby little blue bird was hooked with recycled wool fabric on a burlap backing; the background is done in handspun oatmeal coloured wool yarn.

Rug Hooked Hot Pad
Measures 9" x 9"
$40
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net
SOLD

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Rug Hooked Chair Pad

After a few weeks' hiatus for the Christmas season, I'm so glad to be back together with the Wednesday group of rug hookers based in Lakefield.  It's such an interesting and eclectic group of women (and one man!) and while we all lead such different lives, we share a very special bond that's grown strong over the years.  This is a piece that I finished yesterday over coffee, muffins and great conversation.

I love the rich dramatic tones of grays and blacks against the textured black and red background of the chair pad.  Hooked in the primitive tradition, I used recycled wool strips on a burlap backing.

Rug Hooked Chair Pad
Measures approx. 12 1/2" in diameter
$65
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net
SOLD

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Great Big Tea Cozy

This oversized tea cozy is made from an upcycled yellow & gold fuzzy blanket - and embellished with blanket stitch and a few complementary buttons.  Not only will it keep your tea warm, but the rich colours will add a warm glow to your kitchen.  The cozy measures 11" high; and 13" at the base.

Great Big Tea Cozy
$22
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net

Hooked Hot Pad

At the end of any rug hooking project, "hookers" are always left with  lots of leftover strands of cut wool.  In my case, all of these strands ended up in a disorderly mess which I was determined to conquer.  I've heard many hookers refer to projects for using up their leftovers as "hit and miss" - but if you're looking for a well-balanced outcome in your piece, I don't thing "hit and miss" is an accurate definition.   I was happy with the balance in colour and texture in this hooked hot pad - especially like the rich "hits" of purples throughout.

Rug Hooked Hot Pad
wool hooked on burlap
Measures 8 1/2" x 8 1/2"
$38
SOLD

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Coasters/"Mug Rugs"

I made several upcycled wool blanket mug rugs and coasters for the recent Christmas at the Marshland Centre in Lakefield - and they proved  to be very popular!  I managed to salvage more bits of my charcoal & blue striped blanket to make this set of four "mug rugs".  Each coaster is double layered - machine stitched, then finished off with blanket stitch.

Set of 4 "Mug Rugs"
Measure approx. 4 1/2 in diameter
$20
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net

Rug Hooked Chair Pad

This little chair pad was hooked using hand spun, hand dyed wool yarn on burlap.  Wouldn't he add a whimsical touch to any room!?

Rug Hooked Chair Pad
Measures 12 1/2" in diameter
$65
available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net
SOLD

Rug Hooked Angel Wall Hanging

This sweet angel was hooked using hand-dyed, hand-spun wool yarns.  I designed her with a floral theme - making her appropriate as a year round addition to your home! Perfect for a child's room; a sunroom perhaps.

Rug Hooked Angel Wall Hanging
Measures approx. 23" x  11"
$150
Available by contacting me at rdyer @nexicom.net

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Felted Wool Heart Decorations

This pretty heart shaped decorations were made from a previously loved - but shrunken - boiled wool sweater.  I love the sweater's variations of colours and designs.  The hearts have been stuffed with polyester filling, blanket-stitched, and embellished with buttons from my vast collection.  Lovely for a Christmas tree, or a year-round decoration hung on a doorknob .......

Heart shaped boiled wool decorations
Measure approx. 5 1/2" at widest part
Ready to hang
$12 each
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net

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