Stands will be coming back…
I just don’t know when. My son who lives near New York City makes them for me. He has to schedule vacation time that blends with his demands at work and then once he gets here, e have to have time in the schedule for him to make them.
Contact me at cindigayrughooking@gmail.com to let me know you want to be on the waiting list.
Equipment
Rug Hooking Frames
Puritan
I use a Puritan Frame but they are not being manufactured now. If you can find a used for for about $100 that is a great deal. Expect to pay about $150 for one in good condition. Add in the stand I make and you have the full package.
I do not recommend the stand that is made by the Puritan company. It tends to be bouncy.
[clear]Needleworks
The currently made floor frame that I recommend is Needleworks. Be sure to get the floor frame and the floor stand.
The top part with the grippers comes in two sizes. Be sure to pay attention to the measurements when you order.
Acadian Frame
Click here for a PDF with information about how to buy. Be sure to contact the company directly (the number is in the PDF) to verify the current pricing.
The Acadian rug hooking floor stand and frame
[clear]Footstool to cover
Both of the IKEA footstools that I based my footstool course on have been discontinued. I upgraded the course to include how to make a pattern for ANY footstool. However, if you like the IKEA patterns, you can still buy a stool!
You can buy the Footstool course here.
[clear]Hooks
I prefer a hook with a wide shank, but they often cost more than $50. Hereis a great beginner option.
This is the style of hook to look for. You can buy this one at Amazon.
Do NOT buy this type of hook. If you have one already, try it, but a wide shank hook will help you to pull up the loops.
Pens and Markers
Black Sharpie Markers
These markers ARE suitable for fabric and color fast up to hundreds of degrees. They won’t run when we steam the rugs. They have lots of ink and do not run out quickly. These are the ones I use every day to draw patterns.
Make sure the markers you order do NOT look like these:
“Gray” Sharpies for Value Studies
The right value of gray can be hard to find, but these silver Sharpies are available in most places that sell lSharpies. The silver color is the perfect medium gray.
[clear]Colored Markers Suitable for Rug Hooking Backing
I you need to add colors, be sure to use ones that are recommended for fabric and will still be permanent at high temperatures. You do plan on steaming your rug, right?
My favorite for writing in my journal, 0.5 in black. I love this pen because it is permanent. If you write a check the writing cannot be washed off, it is archival so your journal entries do not fade.
[clear]Pens
According to Amazon, I’ve bought this 8 times over many years…..
I used to use a Flair marker to transfer my patterns from paper to the red dot, but discovered that these pens work even better and I always have them around….
I use the same pens as the ones above, but with a larger tip , 0.7mm instead of the medium 0.5mm I like to use to write with.
The permanent (archival) ink pens cost a bit more, but if I grab a pen that is laying around to write a check, I want to be sure it is a permanent pen. Regular gel pens can be easily erased. I did this by accident several years ago when I left a check in my jeans pocket. The check survived the washer, but the ink did not. To my horror, I ended up with a blank check from my customer.
I use the 0.5 version for my journal writing. I use these wider ones for headings or for emphasis.
Citric Acid
I buy the food grade citric acid so if I need to use it in the kitchen, I can. I buy a large container and keep it in the basement. When I need more for the dyeing or for the kitchen, I use a clean scoop to add the acid to the right jar.
5 lbs of citric acid are the acid equivalent of 9 gallons of vinegar. This is much easier to store in my tiny kitchen.
If this item is out of stock, any citric acid seems to work fine. I try to find a version that is food grade. Now if the world ends, I have some flavoring for food with a source of vitamin C.
*I buy Citric Acid in a 5 gallon bucket. You will probably need much less.
Scissors
I love these scissors for snipping wool. They also work great for sculpting. The squishy handles never give me blisters.
If these are sold out, click this link to go to Amazon. It is a search for Tim Holtz scissors. I use the small ones for snipping wool.
I prefer the 7″ size.
Whipping Needles
This photo has a link, but if it is sold out, look for needles like the ones in the photo. You will not be able to use the threaders. Instead use this method.
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Map Pins
These are the ones I buy, but you can also match the colors.
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To hang up your strips:
I gather all the light blue strips, then all the medium and then the dark on individual strip sorters. Then I use magnetic hooks to attach them to the shelving supports.
Here’s the link for the magnet hooks that worked the best for me. Yes, I ordered a few that did not work….
Finishing Rugs
Do it Yourself using the Fold Forward Finish
Here are my best instructions.
Members of The Rug Hooking Journey can download a 14 page PDF for free. If you want to buy just the instruction PDF, you can buy it here.
[clear]For hire
Barbara Viscomi
Phone: 586-337-1827Email: alpacabarb@christelbcomcast-net
$16 per foot (as of 2021), includes a label
- Please call and check to be sure she is still doing this. If not, please let me know.
Backing
I prefer rug warp. You can buy it at my online store.
Here’s an old article about rug hooking
Ipad Accessories
Screen Protector
This protective cover not only protects your screen from scratches, it makes the surface of the ipad feel more like paper when you use the Apple Pencil. This is the exact one I used. If it is no longer available, search on Amazon for the same brand.
Ipad Case
This is the case I use to protect my ipad and my pencil. When the pencil is in its special slot, it is also charging. Please note that this only works for the Apple Pen 2nd Generation which only works with the newest ipad.
This case goes in and out of stock, use this listing to find one similar. They come in a wide variety of solid colors and designs. The one above is the exact one I ordered.
Great app for Marking up PDF’s
I use Goodnotes. I can make notes using my Apple pencil.
The Best App for Drawing Rug Hooking Patterns
Yes, I have a course for that. The icon for the app is the blue box I used for the course icon. I use the app for drawing original patterns and for taking a photo of an existing one and making modifications . . . before I draw on the backing.
Helpful Rug Hooking Sites
Every wanted to look something up in Rug Hooking Magazine? The Ottawa Old Forge Guild has indexes!
For a Better Online Experience
Webcam
I’ve used this webcam for years. I upgraded from this to my current camera in Jan 2020 but this was what filmed all my live lessons.
During Covid these were impossible to find and sold for several hundred dollars. You should pay less than $100. Just take this out of the box and plug it in.
[clear]For a better online experience
I haven’t used this particular one since I have fancier cameras now, but this one comes recommended from a source I trust. I would get this one instead of the Logitech, if you can find it because I am told it has better color rendering. You will need an additional app to correct the Logitech color.
I haven’t used this particular one since I have fancier cameras now, but this one comes recommended from a source I trust. I would get this one instead of the Logitech, if you can find it because I am told it has better color rendering. You will need an additional app to correct the Logitech color.
[clear]Microphone
One of the simplest methods is to use the earphones from your phone.
Non-Rug Hooking Stuff
Sugru Fixes Everything
Because what is on Amazon changes often, use this link to get to a search page on Amazon filled with Sugru options.
Use Sugru to fix a handle mauled by an adorable puppy, adhere a magnet to the corner of your frame or add bumpers to the bottom of your floor frame to protect your floor. Sugru fixes everything.
[clear]For better sleep and muscle relaxation
As some of you know 2020 was a nightmare year for me. It started off with 2 months of the biggest struggle to produce my broadcast using a new set of software (which I abandoned and later found an even better solution. Learn more at howtorughook.com/live/
I was unable to visit my parents in a nursing home. I lost Mom at the end of August and 10 weeks later my Dad. In between all that I was having trouble breathing due to an enlarged lingual tonsil (did not even know we all have 4 different kinds of tonsils…) and then kidney stones. Two surgeries later I feel much better but was still having trouble relaxing and sleeping. Until I found this…
I buy it locally at Buderer Drug Co., a compounding pharmacy. They make it right on site. But you can order it and have it shipped.
Magnesium Glycinate 600
26611 N. Dixie HighwaySuite 119Perrysburg, OH 43551
419-627-2800www.budererdrug.com
They also have stores in Sandusky, OH and Avon, OH
The bottle was $18.50 in Jan 2021 for 100 capsules. Less than $20 to sleep the best sleep I’ve had in the last year? A bargain. Bought bottles for everyone in my family.
My doctor recommended one at night and one in the AM.