Garland Farm Wool(GFW):What brought you to Rug hooking?

Jane Augenstein(JA): I used to quilt and while at a quilt shop I saw some wool strips, a booklet, hook and burlap. Thought it looked interesting; but didn't try it for a few years. Tried hooking with raw silk first, hooked a small heart. Several years later took a beginners class in hooking, after that, as they say: "I was hooked!"

GFW: What influences your rug designs?

JA: Old rugs, 19th century folk art, things here on the farm and stories of my family; my grandparents.

GFW: What is your favorite Rug tool?

JA: I have several hooks I use. They are #3 steel crochet hooks set into hand turned handles. I tried the Hartman hook when I first started but found it was just too big. Even though I use 8 and 8.5 cuts of wool I find using the very small hook works just fine for me.

GFW: What backing do you use and why?

JA: When I first started rug hooking I used Monk's cloth. After trying linen though, I liked that much better! Linen only has one thread going across and one going down, Monk's cloth has two each way and I am forever getting my hook in the wrong thread. Linen is stronger and doesn't seem to stretch like Monk's cloth does. I also like to hook on burlap although it's not as strong as linen, I still like it better than Monk's.

GFW:What do you think is the biggest mistake beginners make?

JA: Packing the wool too tight ... my first rug was really PACKED!!! My advice to new hookers, just relax and have fun, don�t worry about color and the size of your loops at first, you will develop your own style in time.

GFW: How have you evolved as a rug artist?

JA: The more I look at old rugs and folk art the more ideas I get. I also try and think what would be important for a rug hooker in the 19th century; cats, dogs and flowers were favored themes to hook. My favorite animal to hook is a horse (because I love my horse so much).

GFW: How do you pick you distinctive color palettes?

JA: I use the soft muted colors to look like old faded rugs. I don't color plan, the rug just seems to take on a life of its own and the colors just evolve.

GFW: What's your challenge for you?

JA: Hooking faster! As soon as I draw a new pattern I want to hook it right away; wish I could hook as fast as I can come up with new designs!

GFW: Thank you very much.