The Twelve Days of Christmas Rugs - Day 12

Glad tidings we bring, to you and your kin; glad tidings for Christmas and a happy New Year!

Glad Tidings

Design by Lori Brechlin/Notforgotten Farm and adapted by Spruce Ridge Studios

Hooked by Deb Nees, Maryland

I love how Deb hooked this pattern...it's actually more spectacular if you see it in person.  The sheep curls are perfect for Santa's beard and she used a bit of glittery yarn for the jacket buttons and the strap of the horn.

Thanks for following along on this twelve day rug hooking journey.  It's been great fun for me to post and comment on these beautiful rugs!

Merry Christmas to you!  

The Twelve Days of Christmas Rugs - Day 11

Jolly old St. Nicholas,

Lean your ear this way.

Don't you tell a single soul

What I'm going to say.

Christmas Eve is coming soon.

Now, you dear old man,

Whisper what you'll bring to me.

Tell me if you can

---Emily Huntington Miller

Merry Christmastime

Designed and hooked by Keith Kemmer

Pattern available through Spruce Ridge Studios

Keith has perfectly captured the essence of Christmas in his sweet little mat. I love the candy cane "C" and the lighted candle in the corner.  I also love that the snow on the ground is hooked in a bluish-purple hue, just as it would look on a starry, cold night!

The Twelve Days of Christmas Rugs - Day 10

Soon our stockings will be hung by the chimney with care.....

The Stocking Was Hung

Design by Lori Brechlin/Adapted by SpruceRidge Studios

Hooked by Rebecca Erb

  This pattern can be hooked in so many different color choices...traditional Christmas colors or soft neutrals.  I love Rebecca's choice of soft coral red and turquoise. This is a great Christmas rug that isn't too "Christmasy." For a fun embellishment, you could sew a real skeleton key to the rug instead of hooking it.

My childhood Christmas stocking is still placed next to the fireplace every Christmas Eve.  The little tab for hanging ripped off long ago and it's just big enough for an orange and a piece of candy and a small trinket.

The Twelve Days of Christmas Rugs - Day 9

Dashing through the snow!

Dashing

Design by Lori Brechlin/Notforgotten Farm adapted by Spruce Ridge Studios

Hooked by Julie Neumiller

Julie hooked this in a workshop I taught in Sebastapol, California in November 2015.  She changed the pattern just a bit to personalize it: she changed the donkey to a reindeer and put her family name in the word bubble.   She wanted  to create a rug to put under her Christmas tree and she had a vision for how she wanted this rug to look. This is another rug that hits it out of the ballpark!

Putting a halo around all the objects really makes this rug a winner because it gently lifts everything off the background. The tree literally glows!

The Twelve Days of Christmas Rugs - Day 8

Wish Upon A Star

Pattern adapted from the artwork of PJ Rankin-Hults by Spruce Ridge Studios

Hooked by Kris Miller

The first time I saw this design, I knew I wanted to hook it.  I love the snuggly stocking cap on the snowman!  I used roving to hook the pom-pom on the top of the hat.  The basket was hooked in a red/gold/green texture that I hooked vertically to give it the effect of being woven.  It was a little bit thready but definitely worth the effort.  A nice maroon and navy plaid made the perfect border to tie everything together.

The Twelve Days of Christmas Rugs - Day 7

Old Saint Nick

Designed and hooked by Kris Miller

This rug was originally designed as a project for the book Designs For Primitive Rug Hookers by Jenny Rupp and Lisa Yeago.  I believe the book is out of print now but I still sell the pattern on my website.  Santa's beard is hooked with roving from a Lincoln sheep.  The roving is hairy and has a beautiful luster which is perfect for Santa.  I hooked a burnished gold herringbone wool in my border because it reminded me of the rich gold borders around vintage Christmas postcards. This design was indeed inspired by those lovely old postcards.

Here is a little Santa trivia for you today:  did you know that many people believe that Santa Claus lives at the arctic circle in Finland?  The Finnish name for Santa is Joulupukki, which literally translates to Christmas Goat!

The Twelve Days of Christmas Rugs - Day 6

Ho, Ho, Ho!

St. Nick
Adapted from the artwork of Lori Brechlin/Notforgotten Farm
Hooked by Sue Clark ~ Adrian, Missouri

I think Sue Clark hit this one out of the ball park!  I have always loved this pattern and wanted to hook it, but how can you do any better than this?  Total perfection!

My son and I were talking the other day and he reminded me of something I did when both my sons were just "tweens."  I used to tell them that if they helped me clean the house and get ready for Christmas, on Christmas Day they could do anything they wanted.  Anything.  Now, this could have gone really bad but it didn't.  "Like....not change our underwear, or stay in our pajamas, or play video games all day?" they would ask in astonishment.  My oldest son loves cranberry sauce, so one year he told me that his free pass would be to eat the whole can of cranberry sauce.  And he did.  He reminded me the other day that eating all the cranberry sauce was really gross....and that I only fooled them for a year or two and then they realized that mom had gotten the better deal over the years.

The Twelve Days of Christmas Rugs - Day 5

It's a snowy day in Michigan...today's rug is more of a winter rug  (rather than Christmas) and it's certainly appropriate for today.  But, hey!  We could pretend that someone is snuggled in that warm little cabin and they are baking Christmas cookies or preparing their Christmas ham.

Boy Scout

Designed/adapted and hooked by Kris Miller

I know I've told the story of this design before...I saw this old rug at an antique market when I was still a beginner rug hooker.  Not being able to spend the money to purchase the rug, I asked the antique dealer if I could take a picture and he agreed.  It took me a couple of years before I had the courage to hook it.  I painstakingly tried to replicate the colors and I think I came close.  But I just couldn't create the wonky, uneven stitches that the maker had done.  It was sort of an "ah-ha" moment for me.  I realized that I had to embrace and accept the way I hooked (even loops) because that was my style and I had to be happy with what I created.

The Twelve Days of Christmas Rugs - Day 4

Santa will soon be on his way!

Holly & Ewe

Designed and hooked by Kris Miller 

I designed this rug for a workshop a few years ago and included several fun techniques:  sculpting (holly berries and pom pom on Santa's hat), hooking realistic primitive eyes, hooking with roving, and  binding a crochet edge with wool strips.  My inspiration for the design came from old Christmas postcards and of course, my love of sheep.

 One year when I was a kid, Santa left a sooty boot print on the hearth in front of our fireplace. That was all the proof I needed that Santa had really and truly visited our house sometime during the night.  I don't even remember what he left for us...I just remember that boot print!

The Twelve Days of Christmas Rugs - Day 3

Brrr...it's really cold outside today...let's have some Cocoa and Cookies!

Cocoa and Cookies Alphabet Sampler

A Notforgotten Farm adaptation by Spruce Ridge Studios

Hooked by Kris Miller

This is another rug that was so much fun to hook.  I believe it was the first rug I had ever hooked a lot of letters or script.  Since the plaid background has a teeny reddish purple line in it, I hooked the letters in similar colors.  I mixed up the colors just a bit so it gave variety and interest to the whole rug.  Just like the Midnight Clear rug, I used a taupe/cream plaid for the ground so it looks like dirty snow.  I gave the snowman a red ware plate and cup but I know some people have hooked the plate like a cookie instead, and I think that is a cute idea.  

What makes me smile is the cute little chin on the snowman...how many snowmen actually have a chin???  Charming!!!

Oops!  If you look closely enough, you will see I haven't done a binding on this rug yet.   I hooked this years ago and couldn't decide on how to finish the edges.  I think I will crochet around the edges with matching wool strips and call it good.  A perfect "cold weather" project to do before the end of the year!

The Twelve Days of Christmas Rugs - Day 2

There's no denying that Midnight Clear is one of my favorite rugs!

This is a Notforgotten Farm design and was hooked by me.  What a joy it was to hook!  I love Old World Santas and I loved bringing this Santa to life.  One of my favorite parts of this rug was hooking the little patch pocket with the snowman peeking out.  It's this type of whimsical detail that makes us love Lori Brechlin's designs so much!

I was very humbled and honored when this rug won an honorable mention a few years ago in an issue of the Celebration Of Hand-Hooked Rugs Magazine.

The Twelve Days Of Christmas Rugs - Day 1

Well, let's see if I can actually do this! 

 I am going to post 12 Christmas or winter-themed rugs each and every day.  The last rug should be posted on Christmas Eve.  

Meet Tomte The Elf! 
Designed and hooked by Kris Miller (c) 2013

A tomte (Swedish) or a tonttu (Finnish) is a small elf-like man. In Nordic folklore, he was the guardian in care of protecting a farmer's house and barn and often did his work at night when everyone was asleep. In modern times, a tomte traditionally has a white beard, wears a red cap and delivers packages to children on Christmas Eve.

Sauder Village Is Around The Corner!

In two weeks, I'll be packing my van and getting ready to set up and decorate my booth at Sauder Village.  We will have a different look there but it will still have the Spruce Ridge feel to it.  I am working on some beautiful new tablecloths (does anyone look at them?-I don't know) and I'm gathering up some new display pieces.  It's fun for me because I get to dig out all those great vintage pieces that I have stashed away.  I love all things from yesteryear!  My husband laughs at me because when we go antiquing, I am always saying "this would make a great display piece!"  It seems like I can't look at vintage things any other way.

 We will also have some great new merchandise.  I'm keeping it a secret for now...but wait until you see it!  I love the new stuff and I know you will too.  Just like Christmas morning, the anticipation is building!

One thing is for sure, we will have 6 new Notforgotten Farm patterns.  Actually, there are 7 but one is new to us...another mystery that you will have to come and find out for yourself! I have been working non-stop drawing patterns.  I hope you find your favorite....I can't bring them all but I've been stocking up on the most popular ones.

I am teaching a class on hooking 3 different kinds of eyes at Sauder on Friday evening.  The class is full but you can always inquire about the waiting list.  I will have a few extra kits from the class available for sale in my booth on Saturday.  The kit will contain a linen pattern and uncut wool and handouts.  Another secret...even the class has not seen the project yet.  Oh how I love surprises!!!!

PS:  I'll be doing a book signing too.  I believe it is scheduled for Wednesday but check the posted schedule to be sure.  I'd love to meet you and sign your copy of Introduction To Rug Hooking.  If you don't have one, you can buy it from me!

New Website Has Arrived!

The new Spruce Ridge Studios website went live yesterday afternoon and I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have this beautiful new look!

Here's some of the great features I like about the new website:

• Organized and easy to navigate.
• Pictures and pages load quickly.
• Convenient search option at the top of the page....type in the name of a pattern or product and find it fast.
• Create your own "wish list" for future reference.
• Shop day or night (in your PJ's) at your convenience with the new easy-to-use shopping cart.

I will be adding textured wool to the "Wool Fabric" page in the near future.  This is another new feature that I am really excited about offering.  Please also note that if you don't want to use the shopping cart, you are still able to download an order form and mail in your orders.

If you have trouble getting the new website to come up, please clear your cache, cookies, browser, or history.  I had to go through several of these steps before it came up for me.

I really can't say it enough....thank you so much for your patience and understanding during the time my website was under construction.  I know how inconvenient it was and I appreciate that you have hung in there. My webmaster, Nate, had a monumental job of rebuilding from the ground up and his hard work is very much appreciated!

Your comments are always appreciated too!  Enjoy the new Spruce Ridge Studios!
www.spruceridgestudios.com

Rug Of The Day - My House Sampler

My House Sampler - Hooked by Carolyn Snyder, Branson West, MO

Design by Lori Brechlin/Notforgotten Farm - Adaption by 

Spruce Ridge Studios (c) 2006

monks  = $69.00

linen = $85.00

dimensions :  41" x 32"

In early April, I had the pleasure to teach at the Eureka Springs Rug Camp. Vickie Hardcastle is the hostess for this camp and she works hard to make sure that everyone is happy...she served up some really yummy food and no one went away hungry!  There were quite a few spectacular wide cut/primitive rugs being hooked during the workshop.  Here is one by Carolyn Snyder.  She changed the wording from "My House" to "Stone County" to personalize her rug.  I love the white house and red bird and tulips up against her dark background.  The contrast is stunning.  Notice how the letters are hooked in just a little bit different wools to give variety and make them not so predictable.  This is an excellent example of a great primitive rug!

Here are just a few photos of Eureka Springs and the rugs being worked on at camp:

I love this unusual building in town.

My demonstration of how to hook a realistic primitive eye.....

Bunnie McGee was hooking October 31st, a Notforgotten Farm design

Ella Davison was hooking Bird of Paradise, a Spruce Ridge Original design,

Barb Schuessler was hooking my design, Have Ye Any Wool

Vicki Hardcastle was working on Trout, a Keith Kemmer design.

Nola was working on a Cactus Needle design called Peacock Plantation.  She really got a lot accomplished!

I will post more pictures of camp tomorrow.

There might be a major announcement this week-end!   *wink, wink*

Rug Of The Day - Love Grows In My Garden

Love Grows In My Garden-Hooked by Sandy Denarski

Design by Lori Brechlin/adapted by Spruce Ridge Studios (c)2009

monks:  $52.00

linen:  $66.00

Dimensions:  33" x 26"

Note:  the original pattern has the phrase "Love Grows In My Garden"

"Grandma's Garden" was customized for Sandy but can be added to your pattern if you ask for it.

Here is a wonderful spring/summer pattern for everyone who likes to garden or has memories of a favorite garden.  Sandy worked on this pattern last August in my class at the Hunterton County Rug Artists Guild Rug Camp.  We customized her pattern to say Grandma's Garden, in memory of her own grandmother.  Sandy added a couple of rows of the beading stitch at the bottom of the apron.  It gives a little added interest and breaks up that vast area of white.  It reminds me of an embroidered trim and it really added to the look of the whole design.  I love the colors that Sandy chose; mostly neutrals with just the right pop of color.  Also, there's wonderful movement in the background at the top.  Great job, Sandy!

Just an update on my website:  

It's almost here!  I have seen the test pages and I am so excited about the new look and feel of my website.  The shopping cart is easy to use and very convenient.  There is a search option so if you are not sure where to find a pattern or product, you can type in the name in the box and search for it.  

There were a few little tweaks needed and a few price corrections, but once those are completed, it should be good to launch!

I appreciate your patience and understanding.  It has been a long wait (just a little longer than I thought) but I am hoping that you will think it is worth the wait!  Stay tuned!

Rug Of The Day - Sunflower Witch

Sunflower Witch - hooked by Pat Cross

Design by Lori Brechlin/Adapted by Spruce Ridge Studios (c)2009

Monks:  $42.00

Linen:  $52.00

Dimensions:  21" x 26"

Here is another great rug from Pat Cross.  She calls this witch Agatha.  Just like yesterday's rug, she used a dark background and kept the rest of the colors brighter so they stand out.  The perfect choice for Agatha's dress is purple with a coordinating hat.  I think green is also the perfect choice for Agatha's skin tone!  The pattern has a skeleton key drawn around the witch's neck, which can be hooked, but attaching a real key adds an extra touch of whimsy to this rug.

Here is another version of Sunflower Witch, hooked by Dawn Walczak.  She used a lighter lavender background and dressed her witch in darker colors.  The original pattern has little pumpkin faces drawn in the center of the sunflowers, which is a clever twist to a plain sunflower.  

One design, two rugs, two variations....both delightful!

Rug Of The Day - A Witch's Walk

A Witch's Walk - Hooked by Pat Cross

Adapted from Lori Brechlin folk art by Spruce Ridge Studios (c) 2012

Monks:  $50.00

Linen:  $66.00

Dimensions:  24" x 32"

I am a big fan of anything that Pat Cross hooks and this rug is no exception.  Because of the dark sky, Pat had to keep everything else lighter so it would show up against the background.  The Witch's green and purple dress are perfect!  I love that the Witch has gray hair (don't we all?) Notice the wonky white houses with the purple doors and the orange roof tops, with the lazy orange moon just hanging in the sky.

There are small stars within circles drawn in the sky on the original pattern  but Pat chose to hook colorful orbs instead.  They add mystery to the night sky and carry the color around the rug.

Rug Of The Day - American Sheep

 American Sheep - Hooked by Jan Hammond

Pattern adapted from Lori Brechlin Folk Art by Spruce Ridge Studios (c) 2008

monks:  $52.00

linen:  $66.00

dimensions:  32.5" x 26"

This is a wonderful Americana design that covers everything a rug hooker loves....red, white and blue....a wooly sheep....flags....flowers.  I especially love the bunting blanket on the sheep.  The stars on the bunting are kind of small, so Jan sewed on star buttons, which worked perfectly.  You could also hook those small stars with my star technique using a #9 cut strip.  If you ever take a class from me, ask me to show you how!  It's fun and simple to do.

Here is another American Sheep hooked by Kathleen Keithley.  

I love to see the variety of how one pattern can be hooked in so many different ways!

I was at the Rock Creek Hook-In in Lenexa, Kansas last week-end and Pam Mayfield hooked this version of American Sheep.  It was part of the lovely rug show that was set up at one end of the gymnasium.  The gray sheep and yellowish background are fabulous!

I will be on the road quite a bit over the next month or so.  I might not be able to post a rug every day but I will certainly keep posting.  I have heard so many kind comments about how you are all enjoying Rug Of The Day and I thank you for your support!

Rug Of The Day - Emma's Garden

Emma's Garden - Designed and hooked by Kris Miller (c)2008

monks:  $40.00

linen:  $50.00

dimensions:  22" x 25.25"

I designed this pattern for a technique class.  The students learned proddy, beading, hooking with paisley, and hooking with roving and sheep curls.  I named this pattern after my Wensleydale sheep, Emma.  I added a whimsical bird because Emma likes to chase birds when they land in her pen.  Emma is not afraid of many things; I have even seen her approach the fence line as Jamie Fox was trotting along in the grass on the other side.

I used some of Emma's curls from her first shearing for the accent area along the face.  I hooked her ear three-dimensionally, using a proddy strip and sewing the two pieces together.  

Here is the real Emma.

And here is Emma's Garden, hooked by Linda Brown.

If you are interested in hooking with roving and sheep curls, click on the tab at the top of the page and you will find a tutorial on how to do this.

Rug Of The Day - Trout

Trout - hooked by Kris Miller

Pattern designed by (c) Keith Kemmer

monks:  $70.00

linen:  $86.00

dimensions:  54" x 20"

I hooked this rug for my husband back in 2001.  He told me that this was a brown trout and gave me some visuals to help with the colors.  This was one of my first attempts at trying to dye wool to match a picture.  I was still very much a newbie and it took many pots of yellow dye to finally get the yellow values that satisfied me.  I used #4-#6 cuts for the entire rug.  If I were to hook this now, I would definitely use much wider cuts for the water since there is a lot of area to cover!  There are a lot of little circles on this fish...I was certainly glad to get all of them hooked so I could move on to filling in the rest of the body.

I was in Baton Rouge last week, teaching at the Red Stick Rug Camp.  The weather was a balmy 72 degrees for most of the week and I enjoyed the sun and seeing the flowers blooming.  My class was so much fun!  Everyone worked very hard and got a lot of hooking done.  Kelly was one of my students and she decided to hook the Trout pattern.  She chose some very non-traditional colors for her fish, which I told her were completely "out of my box" but we were going to make it work.  Kelly is an artist and a lovely hooker so her fish was looking outstanding on the last day of class.  She sent me an email last night with her progress.  I think it is wonderful and I might add that she works quite fast!

Rug Of The Day - Lady Liberty

Lady Liberty - hooked by Kris Miller

Adapted from the folk art of Lori Brechlin by Spruce Ridge Studios (c) 2006

Monks:  $50.00

Linen:  $ 64.00

Dimensions:  26" x 30.5"

I have always loved Lady Liberty.  I think she is the ultimate symbol in really great patriotic folk art.  I love her blowing, billowy skirt and her tiny little feet.  Her eye is just a tad too big for her head, but I wouldn't change a thing about it.  I tell people that Miss Liberty is "all-knowing" and that is why she needs a big eye. (LOL)

I love the flag blowing on that skinny flag pole with that funny little spear shape at the top.  And the spindly flower stems with the patriotic blossoms just sort of waving in the breeze.  

I hooked the letters and numbers in a medium brown textured wool.  Using a darker color would have made them too noticeable and would have detracted from the overall flow of the design.   

Rug Of The Day - Lucky Stars Chair Pad

Lucky Stars Chair Pad

14" diameter

Designed and hooked by Kris Miller

Lucky Stars Chair Pad is a project/free pattern found in my book Introduction To Rug Hooking.  Each project teaches a different lesson or technique that is useful to both beginners and experienced rug hookers. This particular lesson teaches about hooking nice crisp star points.  You can also use this technique in other objects that have a sharp angle (bird beaks, leaf tips, pointed animal ears, etc).  Besides the tutorial for the chair pad, there are step-by-step instructions for binding/whipping the edges with yarn.  

I have some peeled pine rustic chairs in my studio class room area and I put this charming chair pad on one of the seats.  It's a great primitive look and really dresses up the chair.  You could choose a different color plan for your chair pad.  I think a patriotic theme of red, white, and blue would be fabulous!

Rug Of The Day - Sail, Sail Away

Sail, Sail Away - Hooked by Kris Miller

Designed by Nancee Ariagno/The Cooperage

Available through Spruce Ridge Studios

Monks:  $30.00

Linen:  $  36.00

Dimensions:  16" x 16"

I hooked this sweet little mat as a gift for a friend of mine who has done so much for me over the past few years.  I thought it would be right at home in her summer home on a lake.  The red and inky blue show up a little dark in the photo, but they are great patriotic colors that I use a lot in my rugs.  

 Wide cuts are suitable for this pattern and it's not a complicated color plan.  It hooks up quickly and it's the perfect size for a pillow too.

Rug Of The Day-Oak and Acorns

Oak & Acorns - Hooked by Karen Buchheit

Design (c) Cindi Gay, available through Spruce Ridge Studios

Monks:  $68.00

Linen:  $85.00

Dimensions:  44.5" x 25"

I have always been crazy about anything that has an oak leaf and acorn on it so I am particularly drawn to this pattern of Cindi Gay's.  I took this picture last September at the Rugs By The Sea camp in Cape May.  On Wednesday of rug camp week, the hotel pushes the furniture aside and allows the rug hookers to take over the whole front lobby with their rug show.  There are always many beautiful rugs all laid out on the old wooden floors, but it seems like this past year, there were an abundance  to "ooh and aah" over.  

I have a lengthy bucket list of rugs I want to hook, but this is close to the top of my list.  I love the simplicity of the design.  It can be hooked in many color combinations...the choices are endless!  And this pattern is large enough to be done in a wide cut, #8.5 or #9 for most of the rug, and perfect for those yummy textures you have been saving for something special.  I think I might add some antique paisley to my rug for the oak leaf veins.

I loved my Cape May class last year.  They all worked very hard and I think all their rugs were delightful!

Rug Of The Day - Antique Hearts

Antique Hearts - hooked by Kris Miller

Adapted from an antique rug design by Spruce Ridge Studios (c) 2011

monks:  $40.00

linen:  $50.00

dimensions:  24" x 24"

My rug was hooked with all #8.5 cut wool.  I tried to stay as true to the colors of the original rug as possible, but I also added a few strips of old paisley here and there.  I like the way the paisley blends right in and becomes a subtle part of the color plan.

I finished my edge with a single crochet stitch.  I used the same wool that was hooked around the outside border, cut into #8 strips.  I used Reversible Black Stripe (a favorite wool texture amongst many of us rug hookers!) and I didn't care which side of  the wool strip came up as I did my crochet.  Therefore, sometimes the edge looked black and sometimes it looked gray, giving it an old and faded feel. 

Rug Of The Day - Mr. MacGregor

Mr. MacGregor - hooked by Kris Miller

Pattern adapted from Lori Brechlin Folk Art by Spruce Ridge Studios (c) 2006

monks:  $36.00

linen:  $46.00

dimensions:  20" x 22"

Mr. MacGregor is such a dapper gent and a good companion rug to Ah Tis Spring.  I hooked him from the same Harris Tweet as Miss Bunny.  I wish I still had more of that lovely tweed!  I used a soft turquoise and purple plaid for the background. Hooking purple flowers was the perfect choice to make everything work together.  

I learned a lot about hit and miss when I hooked the tabs on the sides.  I learned about values and which colors stand out and which ones tend to fade into the background.  I discovered that many times, putting complementary colors together was the answer.  For instance, hooking a strip of blue next to a row of orange helped each color keep their identity. Using lots of textured wool adds interest to the tabs as well.

Here is another version of Mr. MacGregor, hooked by Deb Wilson.

Rug Of The Day - Ah Tis Spring

Ah Tis Spring - Hooked by Kris Miller

Pattern adapted from Lori Brechlin Folk Art by Spruce Ridge Studios (c) 2010

Monks:  $40.00

Linen:  $51.00

Dimensions:  19" x 26"

This sweet little Miss Rabbit was such a joy to hook!  I had a small piece of Harris tweed that I used to hook her face and hands.  It was the perfect "rabbit" color.  Since her dress is such a large part of the design, I decided to break up some of that space with some quillie buttons.  A great waffle-like textured wool was perfect for her basket.  I drew some swirls and squiggles into the background to give a little more energy to the background....I figured that rabbits are probably pretty giddy when spring finally arrives!

Here are a few more hooked samples of this happy pattern:

Hooked by Pam Cannon

Hooked by Sue Dollhopt

I think it's interesting to see both hooked differently...a light and a dark background....and they are both equally delightful!

Rug Of The Day - Vagabond Rabbit

Vagabond Rabbit - Hooked by Kris Miller

Pattern (c) 2006 Kris Miller/Spruce Ridge Studios

Monks:  $30.00

Linen:  $40.00

Dimensions:  13" x 20"

This rug appeared in the Spring 2006 issue of Rug Hooking Magazine as a free pattern insert.  I have seen many hooked versions of this design and they are all delightful!  It amazes me to see the different techniques and variety in everyone's interpretation.

I hooked my mat with all "as-is" textured wool.  Some people ask me what "as-is" means...it is simply wool that has come off the bolt and has not had its color altered in any way.  There was no dyed woolens used in this mat.  Since Rebecca Erb and I collaborated on the article for RHM, she supplied the wool for this mat.

After I hooked my Vagabond Rabbit, I found an adorable rabbit Christmas ornament and also a redware plate with a rabbit on it so I felt like 2006 was the year of the rabbit!