Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Latch It!

Know what this is?



It's a close-up of this:


And it's used for this: 


This is one of my on-going projects, a latch-hook rug. Eventually, when I finish, it will be a Christmas present for either a family member or one of my readers. 

Long time ago, someone I loved dearly used to hook rugs to help his arthritis. The motion eased his fingers and made them a tad more limber than they would've been for a person of 73. An added benefit is that the process is mindless, calming even, so he tended to be more even-natured than his fiery wife. 

I used to watch him while he worked. Just being with him eased the tensions of the day. His eyesight wasn't all that great--not that he couldn't see, but he couldn't always tell the colors apart, so I helped him as often as I could. Special times.

Now I do these myself. I can't afford the wool yarn he used and have to settle for acrylic, but the activity is still relaxing, still able to keep aging fingers nimble. When I'm done with the one I'm working on, it'll look like this:


Pretty nice, huh? 

By the way--in case you didn't know, Stitches Thru Time is having a birthday giveaway to celebrate being a whoppin' two years old!!! We're excited and want to share our joy with you in the form of a giveaway. Don't forget to tune back in this coming Friday!




12 comments:

  1. I haven't made a latch hook rug in years, Linda. They are fun to do and that one is lovely. Thanks so much for sharing today. :)

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    1. I'll be happy when I finish it, but it'll be awhile. I have another baby blanket to stitch first. Granddaughter-in-law is going to have a baby!!!

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  2. I have never made a latch-hook rug. Love the idea though.

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    1. They're fun to do, though the kits tend to be a bit expensive. I think I got this one during an off-season sale. That always helps!

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  3. Linda, i know these aren't the latch hook kits from my childhood. A librarian friend of mine does latch hook rugs and belongs to a kind of local club that gets together. She was telling me that she goes to second hand stores and yard sales to buy used wool suits, blankets, etc to get wool for her rugs. She dyes, washes and dries the material on very high temps and creates her own "yarn." Ambitious, but beautiful.

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    1. Wow! That's labor intensive! But I bet it's satisfying when it's done. "Ambitious" is a great word for it!

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  4. I have always wanted to latch hook a rug but lack of time and procrastination have won out. I admire your work!
    Connie
    cps1950 at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks! I have to keep my hands busy, so if we're watching a movie or a ball game, I'm always working on something!

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