I’m a whipping fool. From the very first rug I finished, I loved to whip the edges. Most told me, with rolling eyes, that whipping was tedious and boring and took forever and at first I thought it would be daunting. Until I tried it and took to the chore like a knife running through butter. What a lovely way to finish off a project that has been a labour of love? We spend so much time making these beautiful rugs, lovingly placing each loop to construct an incredible heirloom, these pieces of ourselves that will bring pleasure for years to come, maybe our lifetime! For me whipping is the polished end to a fabulous story.
I’ve heard few rug hookers say the same. Most dread the whipping, try other methods just to avoid it. I’m asked constantly what else can be done? Some say it takes forever and ever and ever so the joy evaporates, sort of taints all the fun of making the rug. Yes, it is a repetitive, somewhat boring, although I hate to use that word…it should be banned from the dictionary so our children don’t get a hold of it!…..but it’s perfect for sitting and watching TV, at a hook-in where chatter is sometimes more prevalent than loop pulling. Think of it as framing a painting, putting that professional polish on your piece.
I’m a fast whipper. That could be why it sits so well with me. I feel the mindless act of a yarn finish is sometimes cathartic, draining away the work and challenge of the rug, slowly winding down as I mentally begin preparation for the next project, the next colour plan and design. It’s the last loving touch on this incredible artistic journey.
I really enjoyed the simplicity of the Log Cabin design. Straight lines almost hook themselves! I hooked the green one first and then thought a cranberry one would be a nice compliment. I hooked it several years ago and just found it in my knitting cabinet, dug it out last evening to start whipping and hope to finish it off at the hook-in tonight.
I’ve heard few rug hookers say the same. Most dread the whipping, try other methods just to avoid it. I’m asked constantly what else can be done? Some say it takes forever and ever and ever so the joy evaporates, sort of taints all the fun of making the rug. Yes, it is a repetitive, somewhat boring, although I hate to use that word…it should be banned from the dictionary so our children don’t get a hold of it!…..but it’s perfect for sitting and watching TV, at a hook-in where chatter is sometimes more prevalent than loop pulling. Think of it as framing a painting, putting that professional polish on your piece.
I’m a fast whipper. That could be why it sits so well with me. I feel the mindless act of a yarn finish is sometimes cathartic, draining away the work and challenge of the rug, slowly winding down as I mentally begin preparation for the next project, the next colour plan and design. It’s the last loving touch on this incredible artistic journey.
I really enjoyed the simplicity of the Log Cabin design. Straight lines almost hook themselves! I hooked the green one first and then thought a cranberry one would be a nice compliment. I hooked it several years ago and just found it in my knitting cabinet, dug it out last evening to start whipping and hope to finish it off at the hook-in tonight.
This is what I’ve learned about whipping. Three yards of 2 ply yarn will whip approximately nine inches along the edge. You don’t pull the wool tight, it is loose but not floppy. Whipping with cording inside the fold is best to provide a nice rounded edge to work around. Cording also makes for a stiff edge to wrap the yarn around and especially keeps the edge straight if you are working on a round or oval rug.
Whipping should be done with 100% wool yarn and 2 ply works best for cover-ability. One ply might need to be doubled to cover the edge. Using acrylic yarns will pill and attract fuzz and will wear faster.
Buy a decent whipping needle as that makes the work go more smoothly. Any struggling can put you off so have the proper tools. The ones I sell have a large threading hole for those of us who are now into progressive lenses. They are easy to hold in your fingers and also make a larger tunnel than a regular darning needle so the yarn pulls through the hole better, without snagging and knotting. Spending time correcting snags and unknotting the yarn can be what is turning you off.
I don’t mitre my corners, I find that more bulky than just folding one side and then the other. Sometimes I will go around the corner a bit tighter at first, feed the yarn back to where I started and go over it the second time to ensure the corner edge remains covered. If there is a bit of backing peeking through on the corner point, I’ve taken a marker and dabbed it to darken so it doesn’t show.
I like my whipping yarn to match the colour of my last row of hooking so I will take the time to dye it to make sure my anal eye is pleased. I do love the professional look like the real wool carpets that are whipped along the sides to protect them. I have no problem if someone says my rug looks machine made. To me that’s a a big ole compliment....it means my rug looks neat.
Whipping should be done with 100% wool yarn and 2 ply works best for cover-ability. One ply might need to be doubled to cover the edge. Using acrylic yarns will pill and attract fuzz and will wear faster.
Buy a decent whipping needle as that makes the work go more smoothly. Any struggling can put you off so have the proper tools. The ones I sell have a large threading hole for those of us who are now into progressive lenses. They are easy to hold in your fingers and also make a larger tunnel than a regular darning needle so the yarn pulls through the hole better, without snagging and knotting. Spending time correcting snags and unknotting the yarn can be what is turning you off.
I don’t mitre my corners, I find that more bulky than just folding one side and then the other. Sometimes I will go around the corner a bit tighter at first, feed the yarn back to where I started and go over it the second time to ensure the corner edge remains covered. If there is a bit of backing peeking through on the corner point, I’ve taken a marker and dabbed it to darken so it doesn’t show.
I like my whipping yarn to match the colour of my last row of hooking so I will take the time to dye it to make sure my anal eye is pleased. I do love the professional look like the real wool carpets that are whipped along the sides to protect them. I have no problem if someone says my rug looks machine made. To me that’s a a big ole compliment....it means my rug looks neat.
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