Snow! It’s a sign of the season

If there is a theme to this issue, it would be SNOW! At least in the northern climes, we watch the weather in anticipation of snowstorms and brisk, wintery weather. What’s not to love about curling up with a pile of wool, a great pattern, and a cup of hot chocolate?

Remember back to your childhood when you couldn’t wait to get out into that winter wonderland and build a snowman? Well, this issue provides you with two snowman patterns: a charming little bitty table mat and a wonderful primitive large rug design from Lucille Festa that would be right at home in front of a crackling fireplace. In addition to two snowman patterns, we have instructions for how to dye wool for snow: we all know that snow (at least in a rug) is not all white, and this recipe demystifies just how to dye great wool for that snowy piece you have in mind.

Remember to vote for your favorite rug from Celebration 27—you have until December 31. Go online to www.rughookingmagazine.com, look at the top bar for Celebration Readers’ Choice, and tell us which rugs are your favorites. We will report back to you in 2018 with the winners. We’ve voted, have you? 

And speaking of Celebration, remember to enter your masterpiece from 2016 or 2017! The deadline for entries is November 30. New this year: we are pleased to award cash prizes for excellence. Turn to page 8 for all the information you need.

It is the season for gift giving, and I have a few suggestions. How about a gift subscription to RHM for a rug hooking friend or someone who has been thinking about beginning to hook? We now have both the print edition, which you are holding in your hands, and a digital edition available through Amazon Kindle—absolutely wonderful to have on your tablet for perusing on the go. Another gift idea: We published some great new books in 2017. Consider a gift of Designed By You, or Hooked on Celtic Rugs, or Celebration 27—incredible inspiration and instruction for everyone, every level of expertise.
I hope you have many cozy hours of hooking, designing, and playing with wool this winter. Don’t forget to build yourself a snowman!

Best wishes of the season to everyone, from all of us at RHM!

Debra Smith
Editor