Natural Designs Hooked in Vibrant Colors
Jess has been a Color Crazy customer for some time and buys our cotton mesh rug canvas to make locker hooked rugs in a variety of fun designs. I’ve been meaning to share more of her story with customers and share her insights. Jess is a locker hooking enthusiast, and crafter with an eye for all things nature inspired. She creates under the artist moniker, Green Cat Hooker, and sells her designs through local businesses, donates them to non-profits, but mostly likes gifting them to friends.
She rarely takes commissions, but has collaborated a few times. Jess shared that her most exciting creation was a collaboration with a famous artist. Unfortunately for now, we can’t share this design or name the artist. This unique locker hooked design took the form of two wall hangings designed to be paired. Sounds amazing and I hope to see it someday. In the meantime, I will share with you some of her locker hooked rug designs and the conversation we had about locker hooking and the tips she shares.
The Interview
Thanks for doing this Jess. How did you get started with locker hooking?
I had retired and was looking for a hobby that I could enjoy and ended up meeting a quilter. She showed me how to use remnants and basically recycle fabric with locker hooking to create rugs. That’s how it all began. Then I really got into it–coming up with designs and locker hooking rugs to sell or give away to friends.
What inspires you to design your rugs?
I think everything in nature inspires me. I’m also inspired by quilt designs and by artists that draw or paint. They have a different eye and perspective which can be very helpful.
I love the simple and elegant designs by artist Charlie Harper. Like Harper, I love working in a lot of different, vibrant colors. I also like choosing fun colors for elements in my designs like my purple rooster pillow. Things that are valued by my community inspire me also; like the environment, plants or animals.
Where do you get your materials and supplies for locker hooking?
I always use cotton strips. In general, a rug can take up to 8 – 10 yards of fabric, so I like looking at craft stores for remnants, and even thrift stores sometimes have good deals. I also shop online for specific colors. For my rug canvas, I like the quality of Color Crazy’s 3.75 Mesh canvas.
What is your favorite, or the most challenging design you’ve ever locker hooked?
I would say the most challenging design was a collaboration with a well-known artist on a set of wall hangings. It was so exciting to work on these, but it was also the most challenging. The colors had to be exact to the artist’s requirements. It’s a beautiful design. I wish I could share these, but the artist wants to keep them private for now. I also collaborated with my neighbor on a rug design of a whale fluke. My neighbor has a good eye for design. We both worked on the layout and I locker hooked it. I love the way it turned out.
If readers are interested in getting started with locker hooking, what would you recommend?
I recommend starting small with a doormat size or just a mat before attempting something larger; and try a simple design. Try a multi colored design that just uses up colors you can easily acquire to just play at first and fine tune your locker hooking technique. Once you’re comfortable with the technique, you can try creating your own designs. If you know someone that is artistic, you can call on them to help create a design. I also highly recommend buying a book on locker hooking, and for designs, quilting books are great. Adult coloring books are also good for designs–especially for flower, and animal designs. I took the quail design I used in the rug I shared from an adult coloring book.
When starting a rug or mat do you frame your edges first or after you’ve finished the design?
I normally frame the edges first, but if I have a design that is particularly challenging, then I’ll want to get the design finished first and finish locker hooking the piece before I whip stitch to frame the edges.
How do you create your locker hooked rug designs? Do you mark them on the canvas?
If the design is more detailed and complicated I will place the canvas over the design and trace it with a permanent marker. I do the same when I draw my own designs, but I have gone to a UPS store in the past to enlarge an image so I can use it in a design.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on Christmas trivets and coasters in holiday colors. I think they’ll be great gifts.
That sounds great. Thanks for sharing your beautiful locker hooked rug designs!
Wow! These are gorgeous and make me want to become more creative (and skilled at LH). Thanks for sharing. BB
You’re welcome! And thanks for the feedback. They certainly inspire me! Think I’m going to start a new rug.