Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Just a Couple Hooky Things ~



I finally did it.  I broke down and bought another Hartman hook.  One of my biggest fears was losing/misplacing mine.  (After many months, I still haven't found my proddy tool.)  I have several other hooks, but have been hooking with my Hartman since day one and have not had any success with any other hook.  I was all set to buy one at the hook in from Alice.  Thankfully she let me "test drive" the pear handle hook (she didn't have any ball handle hooks) and for the way I hold the hook, it just didn't work out.  I know you are supposed to periodically switch hooks so your wrist gets a break, but I ended up buying the same ball handle hook I had, except that the shank is a 9 mm rather than an 8 mm.  I found a couple sites that sold them but they wanted $9.95 for shipping.  I HATE being gouged on shipping, so finally found one on etsy with a better shipping deal.


Another great tool I recently purchased ~ at the pet store.  I heard dog brushes were good for cleaning gripper strips, and let me tell you, this one works great and it was about $5.00 on sale. It cleans the strips much faster than anything else I had tried.


I know, boring post, but just wanted to pop in and say hi.  I thought I'd have Hearts and Clover done by now, but just can't seem to find any time to hook.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren


16 comments:

Frank RV 12 said...

I think your new hook is swell.

Jacqueline said...

Thanks for the heads up on the pet tool for my gripper strips.

Cathy G. said...

I use a dog brush too and it works slick! I did the same thing Lauren a couple of months ago and got another Shepherd Bent Shaft Ball handle hook... I am so afraid of losing mine as it's all I can hook with. I just hope I can remember where I put the new one now!! LOL!
Hugs!
Cathy G

P.J. said...

Nice tip with the $5 dog brush!

Three Sheep Studio said...

I, too, have been using the same hook since day one.
I should have a back up, but I don't !
How is it, we get soooo attached to our hooks ? ! lol
Rose

acorn hollow said...

I go between a bent hook and a Hartman hook. I could not use the ball hook I think although I can switch pretty good that is when I hook I am either in my garden or in my neighbors garden I will show pictures of hers on my blog.
Cathy

Mugwump Woolies said...

I have used my Hartman for every loop I have ever pulled!
I often think it would be a good idea to have a backup...but thinking about it is as far as I get!
Robyn

Julia said...

Love the dod brush tip to clean the hooking frame grip strips.
You have been so busy hooking that you deserve a nice new hook.

I've only used Joan Moshimer hooks as that's what I was taught to hook with. I have no idea how better another hook would be for me.

Happy hooking
Hugs,
JB

Farm Girl said...

Not boring in the least. I didn't know that at all that you were supposed to change hooks. Then I had no idea about cleaning the gripper strips. I have one of those brushes too. I sit and try and pick out the threads and poke my fingers, that would be so much easier.
I have such wrist problems because I guess I use the same hook, I will try and mix it up.
I learned so much. Thanks.

Furry Bottoms said...

Not a boring post at all. I like new things too! I am afraid of misplacing my stuff too. A dog brush to clean your fabrics, I would never have thought!

Kim said...

It's funny how we get so attached to our "first hook" and it really is hard to adjust to any other. I'm in between hooking projects and getting twitchy

Larkrise garden girl said...

Thanks for the tip

Sue Tokash said...

I too have used a dog brush for cleaning the grips. Can you imagine how much it would cost if say Hartman sold a gripper cleaner!

Saundra said...

Not boring at all, it is a pleasure to read anything you post. I also love my Hartman and have a hook just like those AND, learned early on to have a back up when mine went missing for a few days.

Saundra

Dogwood Farm said...

I also love my ball handle Hartman hook the best!!
Yes, you must have more than one just in case..
Thanks for the tip!
Happy Memorial Day!!
xo

The Wool Cupboard said...

Isn't it fun to buy new "tools", Lauren? When I look at rug hooking sites, the first section I go to is the accessories/supplies.

I just sold a Hartman hook that I purchased about 10 years ago and never used. I tried it a couple of times, but it just didn't work for me. It is interesting how we are all so different in our preferences... I've used a Nancy Miller primitive hook for 12 years, and still LOVE it! Have a great Memorial Day!

Hugs, Linda