what's taking so long?

rug hooking - like most fibre processes - takes a long time. from experience, i know a mat this size (finished 36"x36")will take 3 weeks to complete . yesterday i finished the outline of the "florets". each floret takes an hour and on this mat there are 11.

for my mats i use good quality (ie even weave) scottish burlap. by hand, i cut 1/4" strips of recycled t-shirts or jersey fabric. holding a strip of fabric in your left hand underneath the burlap, and with the hook in your right hand, you hook down through a hole in the burlap and grab the fabric strip, pull it up to make a loop. you hook into approx. 2 out of every 3 holes. that's what takes the time. as work on this mat progresses, i'll post a photo each day to show you how it's coming along.