By Guest Blogger Gretchen Bolar
I started hooking January 2013. This rug was indeed the largest I have tackled. I had made 4 rugs prior to this one. I started this at the Cambria Pines Rug Retreat in June 2013….while suffering a huge case of jet lag as I had arrived back from Bali the same day I went to Cambria.
My teacher was Eric Sandberg. He and I had great color debates.....in the end I think I won….which I understand is quite a feat with Eric. Being from California I like lots of color. I am a student of Gene Shepherd in Anaheim, CA who also likes a lot of color. I used wool (dyed and from the bolt) as well as wool and silk ribbon. I had great fun making it…..but it was probably a bit large for a beginner. I will be attending Cambria Pines Rug Retreat again this year to study with Michele Micarelli.
I am saving the Morris patterns I have from you until I am a better hooker. I have completed ten rugs so far….working hard to become a better hooker. Would love to come to visit you sometime as I love your designs.
Gretchen Bolar
Great job Gretchen! Bold and beautiful! A fun Jacobean design of large proportions for wide cut splashes of bright colour. I asked Gretchen for the story behind the upper right hand corner being a different colour plan than the rest of the border, and this was her response.
"Real story is I did not want to dye more of the purple…..but no one who knows me thought that…they just thought it was my strange touch…which I am becoming famous for. Gene wanted me to put more aqua on the other side for balance….but I guess I did not mind if it did not balance."
This pattern can be viewed on my site: http://www.encompassingdesigns.com/signature-designs.html
My teacher was Eric Sandberg. He and I had great color debates.....in the end I think I won….which I understand is quite a feat with Eric. Being from California I like lots of color. I am a student of Gene Shepherd in Anaheim, CA who also likes a lot of color. I used wool (dyed and from the bolt) as well as wool and silk ribbon. I had great fun making it…..but it was probably a bit large for a beginner. I will be attending Cambria Pines Rug Retreat again this year to study with Michele Micarelli.
I am saving the Morris patterns I have from you until I am a better hooker. I have completed ten rugs so far….working hard to become a better hooker. Would love to come to visit you sometime as I love your designs.
Gretchen Bolar
Great job Gretchen! Bold and beautiful! A fun Jacobean design of large proportions for wide cut splashes of bright colour. I asked Gretchen for the story behind the upper right hand corner being a different colour plan than the rest of the border, and this was her response.
"Real story is I did not want to dye more of the purple…..but no one who knows me thought that…they just thought it was my strange touch…which I am becoming famous for. Gene wanted me to put more aqua on the other side for balance….but I guess I did not mind if it did not balance."
This pattern can be viewed on my site: http://www.encompassingdesigns.com/signature-designs.html
RSS Feed
