"Sheep in Sunflowers" - Designed by Joanne Gerwig - Hooked by Deb Burcin

Penny Rugs:
When making penny rugs, draw patterns on freezer paper and iron, shiny side down, on top of wool.  The freezer paper pattern is then reusable many times.

TIPS
Send us your top tips.  We will add more as we receive them.  What things have helped you along the way?  What tip do you have that you think everyone should know if they are starting?  We know that everyone has secrets.... what are yours?

Binding or Finishing Techniques:
Pull cording every couple inches when binding to avoid ripples in the finished edges.    

Use torn edges of strips to go around curves in your design.    

Dyeing to Dye:
Partially dyed wool can wait in the freezer until your next dye session.    

Blemishes on enamel pans effect the color that wool is dyed, as it changes color later.  To avoid this problem, repair enamel pans with JB Weld (available at hardware stores).  It is permanent and does not transfer.

If washing any hooked piece, prevent any color running by including a sheet of “Color Catcher”.    

Miscellaneous Tips:
When hooking the stripes of an American flag, always begin with the color red and end with red.  Hook the field of stars on blue with a blue and white strip wool. 

Use a liquid gold or silver Deco Fabric marker to transfer patterns for dark
backgrounds.

Dover Press publishes books of motifs which are public domain.