If you are interested in learning rug hooking, I encourage you to check out Volume 1 and Volume 2 of the “Rug Hooking Learn at Home Series” from Rug Hooking Magazine. The host of these DVD’s, Gene Shepherd, is a good teacher and he does an excellent job of explaining the topics. The camera rarely focuses on Gene’s face, most of the video is focused on the rug and as Gene is hooking, he is explaining in detail what he’s doing. He often shows different ways to do things so you can see the results and get the look you want. He also gives a lot of tips to avoid problems and make hooking easier.

I’ve read several good books on rug hooking, but the advantage of a DVD is that you actually get to watch someone rug hooking. The DVDs are split up in “Chapters” making it easy to select and review specific topics. The DVD can be paused at any time, so you can try a technique and than return to the DVD to replay or continue on with another topic.

Some of the topics that Gene covers in these DVDs:
Using Frames
Different styles of hooks and how to hold them.
Basic hooking instructions.
Height and spacing of loops.
Hooking corners, points, straight, diagonal and curved lines.
Hooking shapes, squares, triangles and circles
Cutting tails.
Outlining and filling in.
Shading.
Hooking with scraps.
Working with Dip-Dyed wool.
Hooking your background.

There’s a lot to learn about rug hooking and these DVDs do not cover all topics such as how to select wool and backing, how to transfer patterns, how to dye wool or how to hem, bind and care for your rug. Gene Shepherd‘s focus is on hooking and giving instructions that are easy to understand. I think these DVDs are a great resource for anyone learning to hook. I liked them so well; I would like to add them to my own library.

I found Volume 1 and Volume 2 of the “Rug Hooking Learn at Home Series” at my local library. Also known as "Rug Hookers Bible DVD (Set of 2)", they can be found online through Rug Hooking Magazine at www.rughookingmagazine.com or at Amazon.com.
Buy Rug Hooking Learn at Home DVD: Vol. 1 from Amazon.com.


Buy Rug Hooking Learn At Home Series, Volume 2 from Amazon.com.