Class with Jenny

 Yesterday was the start of a two day class with Jenny Smallridge of the Wooly Horse. The class description was to make a scrappy rug. At first it was difficult, how to vary the height of the loops, space them further apart, make it wonky, use alternative materials. I've been hooking for about 25 years. I was taught to line my hooked rows up like little soldiers with their shoulders touching, and all pulled to the same height. 

And so it began. I tried. Then she demonstrated how she hooks using her technique .She hooks very fast. I went back to my seat, tore out what I had hooked and restarted. Once I got going it wasn't too bad. Hmm, maybe I'll even like this. 

I got my chicken hooked. Today I'll work on the background. I was going to add circles in the background, but now I think that would make it overly busy. So maybe a flower or striations. 

Jenny says to not trim the ends til we're all done hooking. She leaves hers making it look shaggy. But if you don't like them you can always trim them off. 

Today I will hopefully finish hooking the background. She's then going to show us her finishing technique using a walnut crystal bath. Jenny is so pleasant and so fun. Yesterday was a joyous day.

These are some photos of Jenny and her traveling store. 

And so the day begins. Lauren has graciously allowed me to sleep over at her house. So many things here to look at, both in her house and her gardens. I admired (and wanted) her purple irises. And she dug one up for me to take home. She's just nice like that.