Hooked Kilim Rugs

Several years ago I taught a workshop in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia on the rich color and techniques of Hooking Kilims. These are some examples of hooked Kilim rugs from that workshop.

Kilim Pillow

Hooked by Tony Latham

Adaptation of Traditional Design by Montrealcolors

Small Kilim Mat

Hooked by Lois Latham

Adaptation of Traditional Design by Montrealcolors

Kilim Pillow Top

Hooked by Jocelyn Guindon

Adaptation of Traditional Design by Montrealcolors

Large Kilim Rug

Hooked by Diane Harris

Adaptation of Traditional Design Montrealcolors

Kilim Hooked Rug .....

I finally have made time to get some work done on my Kilim. About a year ago last November, the St. Henri Rug Hookers were hosts to the fabulous, talented, knowledgeable, giving, fun, experienced teacher -Anne Boissinot. Anne gave us a really great workshop on designing our own Kilim rug. This is the one that I designed. Each participant of the workshop left with their own original Kilim design and a harmonious color plan. If you ever get the chance to work with Anne - grab it!

These Kilim rugs are hooked in straight lines across the design to mimic the authentic flat woven Kilims. This one is a #5 cut - OMG!!! It could take forever! As I get more of it hooked I will show my progress and the rest of the design obviously. What you see so far is one of the symbols I chose to depict water. It represents my connection to the Atlantic ocean where I grew up in Nova Scotia. Kilim rugs can and often tell stories through the symbols used in the design.

What is a Kilim?
Pronounced - kE -'lEm
Etymology - Turkish, from persian kilim
Meaning - a pileless handwoven reversible rug or covering of many uses; produced by one of several flatweaving techniques that have a common or closely related heritage; practiced in the geographical area that includes part of North Africa, the Balkans, Western Turkestan, Turkey (Anatolia and Thrace), the Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia and China. More commonly known as Turkish rugs or Turkish carpets.

Deep Freeze.....Winter is BACK!

We have been spoiled most of the month of January with mild mild weather and now we are deep into an artic like cold. Our chilly winds today gave us temps that felt like -30C. Brrrrr... Perfect weather to spread out wool and hook and cuddle up in the warmth of the wool. Happy Hooking everyone - Stay warm where ever you are!

Sunshine Makes Me Happy - Hooked Rug

 

As most of you know by now I love the light, and sun light is one of my favorites. It feeds my soul. So, when I chose to hook this Rooster in the sunlight, I was excited. This pattern is designed by Marja Walker, carried by Primco - The House Of Price. http://www.rughook.com/
I started this rug in a class at McGown teacher's workshop. This rug was a great opportunity to use lots of texture, that was the actual exercise of doing this piece. Therefore, I used very little regular flannel weight wool. I overdyed lots of textures and had fun working with these interesting wools.
I couldn't help myself when I gave him a cocky expression. I have never met a Rooster without attitude, and this one has lots of it!
(Click on Photo to Enlarge)

TGIF

Thank Goodness It's Friday!!!!

Outside the Box

Dancing As Fast As I Can....For A Monday!

Do you ever feel like you are dancing as fast as you can? Today was one of those days for me....It was Monday, after all. The news this morning announced that we have had only 13 hours of sunlight here in Montreal this month so far. I don't know about the rest of you, but I am feeling deprived! Maybe even a little SAD....So, my energy stores had to step up to the bat today. I noticed that most of the people I work with were also feeling a little lethargic as well. However, I will admit I am extremely grateful for all this mild weather, and the bare sidewalks. The gloomy skies seem to go hand and hand with the mild weather so I guess I will have to count my blessings!

Creativity

Recycled Project - Finished!!!

Here is the final result of my Recycled Project. I had some help with the velcro, as my sewing machine was being a rebel as usual with anything than the ordinary. This is a photo of my little Sophie sporting her new woolen coat. I used the waist band of the skirt (see from previous post below) for the little belt. I sewed some velcro on each side to make a belt that attaches, also a piece of wider velcro sewn on the front closure. A blanket stitch was used all around the body of the coat to match the stitch I put on the belt.
When she tried it on for the first time, she pranced around in it and wanted to keep it on. Imagine, Sophie likes wool as much as I do! In this photo we have just come back from our morning walk, which was very wet as we are having March like weather today...mild and melting.

Metro-Boulot -Dodo

 Metro - Boulot - Dodo

The québecois have a saying here in Montreal: Metro - Boulot - Dodo, Metro - Boulot - Dodo, Metro - Boulot -Dodo.... which means: Subway -Work -Sleep. It feels like that's all I have been doing this week, other than walking my Sophie in the park. I have accomplished very little in terms of creative things here at home.
At work, I am trying everything except cartwheels to get the kids to be motivated and pay attention! This is a challenge when they have been off for 2 weeks and are just coming back to a routine and a schedule.
I am still working on getting my Rooster rug whipped - I am SO slow at this task, however I really love the finished look that whipping gives. I will post a photo when I am completed. Hopefully, that will be sooner than later.
I am also going to try to complete my Recycled Project this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I have to try to sew on some velcro. This could be my undoing! My sewing machine rebels when I try new things....

Recycled Project Continues

I am continuing to do some work on my recycled project today. It is still snowing! It has been snowing now for 3 days. It makes walking difficult. Oh well, I will have to do the stairs in the house a couple of 100 times today, yeah right like that will happen.
So, I have been trying to get my little recycled wool project finished. I started to do a blanket stitch around the piece of recycled wool. However, it was not really working well, because the textured wool did not really hold the yarn too well on the edge.
So, then I took some natural overdyed Dorr flannel weight wool which was chosen for the color. It was overdyed with "Republic Red" formula, a beautiful deep rich red color by Susan Quicksall from her book "Dying For Color", (her book and samples may be purchased directly from her) (deqslq@aol.com).
Anyway, I ripped 1 inch strips of the wool cloth and used it for a binding - see photo. Then I was able to successfully do my blanket stitch or button hole stitch (same stitch) around the piece of wool as it had much more body. The waist band was much easier to work with as it was already double the wool fabric. Well, at least I am continuing to learn something new. I had never done a blanket stitch before this project - only ever saw it on something and admired the look.

Happy New Year