More info on locker rug hooking

I was really surprised at the interest in the Locker Hooking post yesterday so I thought I'd add a little step-by-step information to answer some of the questions. I'm not going to show the steps to start the rug but if you decided to get into this craft, The Happy Rug Hooker series of books by Cindy Murray are the ones that I have learned from. Each of her books has the same basic set of instructions but different individual rug hooking patterns.

I decided that I didn't want to follow a pattern because I wanted it to be mindless. So I an simply working around from the outside in. I started with 3 rows of a brown print batik for the hem followed by 7 rows of blue, 5 brown, 7 blue, 5 brown, etc.

These photos will show the basic steps of hooking the center of the rug. Click on any photo for a larger view. This is the hook. It's basically a large crochet hook on one end with a large eye on the other. The string is threaded through the eye.

The strips of fabric are cut about 1 1/4" wide. The book instructions have a cool way to tie the ends together but I didn't like the lumps of the knots on the back of my rug so I overlap the ends about 1/4" and hand stitch them together.  The fabric is folded together in half as you work the loops.

To start, put the crochet hook end of the tool through the next hole in the canvas and lay the folded strip over the hook and then pull the loop to the front.

 

Continue like this loading several loops on the tool.

make sure the string is still threaded in the end of the tool and pull the tool and string through all loops. It's the string that keeps the loops in place.

Here's what the rug looks like from the back.

As you get to the end of the string just tie the next string on with an overhand knot, pull the knot tight and cut the tails about 1/2", When you pull the string through the next set of loops the knot will be hidden under the loops. Sometimes it takes some effort to work the knot through all of the loops.

And that's all there is to it! There is a finishing step and other instructions in the book. You can also do this technique with yarns, other types of fabrics (wouldn't old plaid shirts bee really neat?) and even batting strips (sturdy cotton batting like Warm and Natural). Hope that answers any questions.

Comments

[lisa thiessen]

I love how your project is coming along! I've made a couple really wonderfully durable rugs (same technique) with strips of old T-shirt. The colours are really intense, play-doughy ones. I found doing this to be hard on my wrists, though.

[Hanne]

Aha - I see now why it is easy :-)
Your rug will be looking good when it is done - and perfect in colours for your use.

From here it looks like punchneedle work and rug hooking is quite similar.

[Terri]

Thanks for the tutorial. It looks like mindless fun. Something to do in front of the TV.

[quiltpixie]

I've never tried it with fabric -- the "instructions" I had talk about yarn, and I've had no shortage of that either! :-)

[Allison Aller]

This makes it all much clearer. A technique with great potentia, thanks!

[Judy L.]

I bought the "kit" at the Nashville show and have picked it up a dozen times but haven't started yet. The rugs are beautiful!

[Debra Spincic]

I stood in WalMart and read the directions a few months ago. It looks intriguing as a technique--a bit of a hybrid of a few techniques. I may give it a shot--in the very distant future!

[Carla B]

Can't wait to see it finished, Vicki!

[Joske Indesteege]

Wheere can you buy the crochet hook with the eye?

Thanks
Joske

[jeanne]

Hi Vicki,
I just got a locker hooking kit at a garage sale, and I'm tracking down experienced hookers :)

Your info is helpful! Hoping to play with this real soon ...
Jeanne