Funky Scrappy

Funky Scrappy, 27" x 22", various cuts wool on linen. Designed and hooked by Janine Broscious, Monrovia, Maryland, 2017.

I’ve been rug hooking for less than three years, and already my “worm” bag overflowed. I’ve carried this bag with me all over the country, intending to use up the mass of cut wool. But instead I consistently found myself cutting up more wool—wool that was just perfect for my current project.

My journey as a hooker started with a kit. Everything was so neat and tidy—the kit maker was generous, though, and I was left with a few worms. I was already addicted to this art form, so I plunged ahead, deciding to make my own design. I have a rug hooking shop nearby and I went there and drooled a bit over the wool. The shop owner (or should I say enabler?) was patient with me as I chose many pieces of wool for my little project. I wanted to use more than one wool texture in each part of my design. She knew I was a brand new rug hooker without a cutter and willingly cut all my wool.

However, what seemed like such a blessing left me with a problem.  Now I had baggies full of cut wool left over after finishing my little project. I planned my next mat and I thought I’d use up a lot of my worms, but alas, the new pattern begged to have brighter, different colors. This time after buying the wool, I didn’t have her cut it all. I just cut what I needed as I went with my rotary cutter. Eventually, I bought a cutter of my own.