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It is amazing at the hundreds of emails I have received over the years since the beginning of The Latchhook Page back in 1997. It is good too see so many who are working or beginning in this artistic method. I am an amateur and maybe do not follow the more professional methods. I have found it more fun to experiment and design my own patterns and find different materials to use for the canvas base. "Canvas"? I have wondered why the mesh used in latchhooking was called that. Ha. It is far from what I think of as canvas. Maybe it it is thought of as a painters canvas. that would make sense as it is the base on which is built artistic pictures and designs. I use my very small latch hook and use burlap as the canvas. the larger latchhooks don't work as well with burlap. But it does make a nice base material, you just have to watch it bunching and pulling off of the rectangle or square form. I never use a frame but work with the material in my lap. I guess I am just trying to say, experiment with different materials for the base material and different sizes and types of yarns. Makes it more original and fun I think. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE GREAT FUN CREATING YOUR RUGS AND WALL HANGING TAPESTRIES. Paul :-)

Just finished this blanket. Took 25 days but I had never tried this before. It is chain (crocheted?) using yarn my wife didn't want anymore. I carved a wood crochet hook for her a few years back and used it to make this blanket. The flower is latchhooked onto surface but I tied permanent knots in each yarn thread. It is very warm and comfy and my dog Chico loves it. This makes an easy base or canvas to latchhook on, but does take a bit of time to make.

This is my latest rug created for a grandaughter in college. She is training to become a Registered Nurse. She is into sports so that is why the Olympic Rings. This rug took over a year to complete as I only worked sporadically on latchhooking.

Here is the other rug. I finally got my camera working and got to take the pix just the other day.
Well after a one year hiatus I have dug out my latchhooking supplies for this winter season. I did my youngest grandaughters rug using burlap as the canvas. I have only one of the miniature latchhooks so if it breaks I don't know where I will be able to replace it. But I bought three running yards of 36 inch wide burlap. Should be enough to keep me busy for a long time. Maybe a vest eventually but I will probably do a more standard type of wall hanging. Will keep you informed. 10/13/2006 Paul
My next project I have been considering is a vest. Has anyone tried to latchhook a vest before? Sounds like a fun project. Well here winter is coming on and I am getting fired up to start on the vest. Nothing nicer than settling down in a warm house with big snowflakes coming down outside and working on my latchhooking. :-) Well no snow yet actually but could happen anytime. Got all my materials and am ready to snuggle down and get to work.


Latchhooking is a great creative outlet. If you haven't tried it as yet, order a kit or purchase locally and give it a try. While you are at it get a skein of any color yarn you like and cut a bundle of 3 inch or so and use them for a border around your project.(Instructions on doing this is on my last page) See how much easier it is to use regular yarn as compared to the heavier rug yarn. While it is true that regular yarn is not as durable as the rug yarn, why would anyone want to walk all over a work of art? :-) OK, if you want to walk on it, use the rug yarn. KEEP ON KEEPING ON. HAPPY LATCHING!

As promised, here is my rug featuring the vanishing race from a picture by Edward Curtis around the turn of the century (1900). This is an example of what can happen without proper preparation. I did not mark the canvas but began by latching while looking at the photograph. I redid several sections several times. I found that it is best to have a very good layout and selection of colors( which I did not do) before beginning a rug. I worked off and on for two years trying to make this subject work, this is the result, but I learned a lot. I hope your rugs will be more successful.

The latchhook is kind of an orphan to the traditional methods of tapestry and rug crafting.It shouldn't be. I have found the latchhook to be capable of greater range of colors and and finer detail. Up to twelve colors are possible in each square of the mesh,(base material) if you use the lighter weight skeins. Colors are blended in this manner, using inexpensive yarns, or the most fine to form your palette. Latchhooks are available at most craft stores for a few dollars, also the mesh material by the foot. You might want to try a kit to gain a little experience, then create your own designs. Here you will see some of my freehand designs and maybe a few tips to get you started.


The Latchhook Page among BEST ON THE WEB

The Latchhook Page was included in C&T Publishers new book 'FREE STUFF FOR STITCHERS ON THE INTERNET by Judy Heim & Gloria Hansen' and rated by them to be among the 'Best On The Web'.I am happy to place this award here on The Latchhook Page. Click on the award logo, when you are through at Latchhook, to check out C&T Publishers webpages. They have much neat stuff there. Thanks to everyone who travels through these pages.

I GOT STARTED ON A KIT FROM A YARD SALE


I found this rug as a kit and got the wild idea to finish it. It was simple and fun. I learned quite a bit from doing it. I gave it to my wife for the back of her rocker. It didn't take long before I began to think about doing my own freehand designs. The following rugs on my site are all freehand, working from pictures and my own drawings, transferred to the mesh with a black felt tipped laundry marker. First I drew the design on a newspaper page, layed the mesh over the design and copied it onto the mesh. It works. Accuracy is not critical, changes can be made at anytime with the yarns. If you're not happy...pull out whatever you need too and relatch it.

THE LATCHHOOK ARTFORM IS GROWING. When I started this site in late 1997 there was practically nothing about latch hooking on the internet. Now you will find many places on the web. Try a search engine under latch hook rugs and see what you can come up with.

HOW TO BIND THE EDGES OF YOUR RUG--CUT YOUR OWN YARN--AND LATCHHOOKING INSTRUCTIONS WITH PICTURES ON THE LAST PAGE OF THIS SITE. TAKE A LOOK. IT'S REALLY EASY.


Thanks to all who have written me with encouragement about this site, and to those who have decided to take up latchhooking as a hobby. PLEASE NOTE, AT THIS TIME I DO NOT SELL ANY PRODUCT ON THIS SITE. I get many requests for catalogues and products, but I haven't any. I may at sometime in the future sell special latchhooks, but they are still in development.

Where to find supplies?

Check out local craft stores and ask for the latchhooking mesh/canvas. It is sold by the running foot/yard and comes in a few widths and squares to the inch size. It may not be where you can see it while shopping. Also perhaps the owner will order a roll if you ask, four squares to the inch is a good size.(Price on a 42 width mesh is around $7.95 per running yard.) Online you can go to shillcraft.com , spinayarn.com and another great craft site is craftsfaironline.com You can find most anything there. I also have a link to Mary Maxim's catalogue site on the link page here. Page 3 if I remember correctly. If you can't find it locally try nearest larger towns, most good craft stores sell these supplies.

Happy Latching!



IN MEMORY OF OUR SWEET LITTLE PIPSY 1993---3/8/2008

PANTHERS?


My daughter Rana Dawn began mentioning she would like a rug based on the eyes and head of a black panther. I drew the shapes directly on the mesh this time and basically concentrated on the eyes peering through the foilage. It was fairly easy to complete this piece and it worked out quite well. Maybe you really don't know if something is going to work, but as you get the pattern blocked in you begin to pull the image into sharper focus by adding shading and bits of the right colors and finally...there it is. You'll know instinctively when the piece is complete.

ART AND RAMONA'S TAPESTRY


This is a tapestry I created in 1996. It was sent as a christmas gift to the Art Bells. www.artbell.com COAST TO COAST AM.



Here is a better picture of Art and Ramona's rug.

Later! Have fun with your crafts and hobbies!


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