I'm starting a latch hook rug project and need to know if I should wash/rinse the stiff rug canvas before I begin hooking.
Help!?
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
Yes I would it would be easier to wor with.
Washing it, softens it, but not needed!
When first reading your question I immediately said no - do not wash before or after (until it gets dirty) as I remember years ago when I made these the stiff canvas was what you worked with.
But after reading other answers I thought that I could be wrong as my experience was many years ago and things change so maybe this craft is different now also.
I Googled this question and reviewed about 15 instructional sites and not one of these even mentioned washing the canvas first - all instructions just seem to take it for granted that we would know not to wash canvas first. I read instructions on kits and washing canvas is never mentioned.
I'm not sure if you could finish your project if you wash the canvas first - maybe you could us embroidery loops but I cannot imagine having to do that. I could be all wrong on my thoughts about this but seems it might be best to do some research before you start.
I have made many latch hook rugs and when I was younger.
I designed my own patterns too! I always hooked on unwashed canvas because for me, the stiffer canvas made it easier to work with. It is a preference thing though. I feel like it gave me more control.
I learned a hard lesson when washing my very favorite design...an art deco foot rug...the lesson was if you don't prewash your dark colors and you wash the rug, they will run into your cream section. I rarely used any white or cream before so it was never an issue. Years later you can still see the bleeds.
So soak color yarns in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes in a bucket if you think they will bleed. Spread on a towel and sun/ air dry then hook away.
If you are using wool, dry clean only.
For using it on a wood floor, I stitch those square used to open jars...they are rubbery with mesh...in the corners and one or two in the middle to prevent slippage. I can get the 4/1.00 usually at a dollar store. If you find it in shelf liner format....same stuff...that is usually cheaper.
If the mesh won't lay flat after hooking, carefully use damp...not wet...bath towels one under, one over and a warm iron to steam/flatten.
Do not use a high heat as you can melt the yarns or canvas.
Latch hook is so relaxing! Enjoy!
Thank you so much for sharing your significant experience! Itll surely help me in the long run
wow... I used to do this too and I never thought to wash the rugs because I always did small decorative pieces - I'm glad I didn't because it did not occur to me to prewash the yarn!
everybody should know about this
cool, I used to do this too. In my experience you never washed the canvas because as someone said working with the stiff product makes it easier.
Im starting a latch hook and the mesh is so stiff its hurting my hands Im wondering if the pattern will wash off if I wash it to soften it? Im not enjoying this project because its roughing up my hand so badly.
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
