Loops that Count

I signed up for a design class in April. That turned out to be perfect timing. One of my favorite people from work passed away in March. Annie brought the sunshine into the office, and lived her life so fully. She had already lost her mom and older sister. It's like she knew she wouldn't see old age. She made every day count. Three months into hooking, and with no background in art, I designed my own rug. And I guess that's when I learned to make loops count. Every loop I pulled up put me one step closer to her. Pulling up loops helped me process the loss. I hadn't seen her since everything shut down for COVID. It had been a year. And I needed her sunshine.

As soon as I heard she had passed I felt the need to draw a sun. Almost to look like a stained glass picture. I knew I was signed up for the class, but I never had a knack for art. My one attempt at painting resulted in the teacher taking turpentine to my trees. Never again. I stuck with what I was good at- numbers. Sudoku. Logic problems. Occasionally sewing projects. Following directions. I don't create. At least I didn't. But with Annie's passing and my design class, I suddenly found some inspiration.

Yes, You Are & Yes, You Can - Beginner Hooked Rug Pattern Design by Beth Miller at Parris House Wool Works gave me the confidence that yes, I could design and hook my own original, dare I say, piece of art. And I DID! I took the idea of Annie being the sunlight for our office, and turned it into a piece of art with meaning behind it. She taught how to get a pattern on the grain, and how you can use different methods of planning your pattern. But I knew what I wanted to get onto linen when the class started. And, as I worked, I found so many little decisions that affected the design. Even the base material. But also the width of the wool, the colors I used, and the direction I hooked. Oh, and then there was finishing. I was amazed that step by step I was able to make decisions that resulted in a piece I am proud of. And, if I can do it, so can you.