But first!
Before I bore you to tears with talk of rug hooking yet again (what? You're not as obsessed as I? 'Tis a shame!)....I want to tell you - before it's too late - that our Taproot Holiday Pop-Up Shop opened yesterday! We all had so much fun handpicking all this handmade goodness from some of our favorite makers. This portion of our shop is a limited edition thing, so when the goods run out (as some are already doing), that's it. Even if you don't shop, do enjoy peeking at all the wonderful things these people have made, and reading their stories. Oh! And in the Taproot Goods section of our shop, Support Your Farmer and Feminism is Freedom tees are now available in Youth sizes. I thought you'd want to know that. I'm waiting anxiously for my own to arrive in the mail.
Now, let's talk rugs....Yes!
Honestly, I'm not sure how exactly this rug is finished. I feel like I've hardly been home at all. But I suppose it is a testament to the 'one row at a time,' 'one seam at a time,' 'one strip of wool at a time' philosophy that rules my days. At the end of the day before bed, just a few strips of wool hooked and one chapter of an audio book (I just finished All the Light We Cannot See and am struggling to find something as wonderful to read after that amazing story). I suppose that's how this rug was made - in tiny moments that all add up. I'm so pleased with the results - my first rug meant to be a 'rug.' It includes the lyrics from a favorite song, The Littlest Birds Sing the Prettiest Songs by The Be Good Tanyas, and was meant all along to be for my own littlest bird, Annabel. Just a little something for her little room. A tiny spot of wooly warmth to stand on (it does feel so good on the toes), or to sit on while she plays with her dollies (that's her Edrie doll on her lap from Bamboletta).
I learned a bit about color in rugs on this one - I could have used a more contrasting color around the lettering. As it is, it's a bit hard to read (though we all know what it says, no matter). I used a combination of yarns from my stash, and some from my sheep. I was surprised, actually, at just how much yarn it soaked up - that yellow around the edging is Anne's fleece dyed with tansy and I used nearly two full skeins (I can't remember the yardage). This was such a fun project, and I've got ideas and thoughts for the next one. It's a lovely balance to knitting - though hardly as portable - it does move faster and just feels different to work with. I'm feeling a little itchy for some knitting though, and I think I'll move onto that while I plan the next rug. Harper has requested one, in purple and with a truck on it. So...there's that to think about. And you know someone keeps slipping me designs featuring horses. Of course.
Meanwhile, I think my littlest bird will enjoy her rug. I asked her if she preferred it on the floor as a rug or if I should put it on the wall. She thought for a moment, finger on cheek, preparing her statement, and then said, "I think I'd like it if you make it a dress for me". I think that means she likes it?
