How Your Piece is Created...

Once the subject and size of your piece has been decided this is how I create your piece.

The pattern is transferred onto a cotton backing called Monk’s cloth. I transfer the pattern using a combination of methods, some freehand drawing, some direct transfer and so on.

The next step is to create the colors. I start off with 100% wool, usually natural, divided into a number of pieces. Each piece goes into it’s own dye jar with the dye formula that I have mixed up. Each jar contains one shade of a color and I usually dye many shades of one color. Once the dyeing process is finished the dyed wool is cut up into thin strips using a cloth-slitting machine.

At this point I start the physical hooking of your piece, using the traditional method of rug hooking. I take one of the dyed strips of wool and hold it to the backside of the Monk’s cloth. With a hook going from the front to the back and catching the strip of wool, the wool is then brought up through the Monk’s cloth to create a loop. The hook is reinserted till either the strip of wool is complete or I need to change the value or color that I am using. It is the loop(s) of dyed wool that create the picture. I pull approximately 170 loops per square inch, which means there are thousands of loops in each piece. It takes me approximately 5-6 hours to create approximately 6 squares inches, or about the size of my hand!

Once the hooking is done the piece is steam pressed and laid flat to dry for several days. When dry I prep the piece for framing, by stretching it over archival foamboard and lacing on the backside of the foamboard with hemp twine. Then the piece is ready for the framers. I usually chose a suede mat board as the texture compliments the work and a complimentary frame. After the framers have done their part your piece is ready for delivery.