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This rug brings me joy. It reminds me of a fabulous trip and is a reproduction of a photograph that I was fortunate enough to take while on a walk in the small town of Reeth. The sheep were very cooperative! The furthest sheep stepped out from the building first, then came the middle sheep, and then the lamb. They stayed in perfect position while I was photographing them!
I chose to use #5-cut wool and wool yarn to create 3 Sheep in the UK. All the wool yarn was purchased in the United Kingdom while I was on a fiber-art tour. One specific type of wool yarn is from Herdwick sheep. It is a very coarse yarn ideal for rug hooking. I had to use it sparingly as I only had one ball of each color. The grassland in the rug was hooked with spot-dyed wool. I believe it enhanced the shadows in the hills and gave the scene some depth.
The stone wall was created with two plaid textures for the brick and the discolorations, with slate and black wool cloth used for shadows. The textures made the wall easy to create because they provided the weathered look of the stones. The moss on the stone wall is done with an unknown acrylic found at a thrift store. It looks realistic and gives the rug a three-dimensional element.
From the Judges:
The mix of techniques in this rug makes it a true standout. There is a 3-D sense to this piece that draws the viewer in, encouraging further exploration.
The sheep’s fleece was made with wool yarn. I hooked a base layer of darker colors first to give the fleece depth and then hooked the whites and beiges on top. I snipped each tall loop so the fleece has a fluffy look.
The horns were done four times over! I tried hooking with leather, but it wouldn’t sit properly, so I then tried rolling a small fabric tube and whipping over it with multiple colors. It was challenging to get the correct curvature of the horns. In the end, I used a couching technique with wool yarn to create a more realistic look.
3 Sheep in the UK, 22″ x 30″, #6-cut wool and wool and acrylic yarn on linen. Designed and hooked by Alice Bespolko, Hamilton, Ontario, 2024.
I love the faces of the sheep the most. It took me a few tries to get the shading just right. I often found myself pulling out wool and enlarging my photograph to get a better look—but I am very pleased with the outcome. The eyes on each sheep were felted for a more precise look. They seem to follow you!
I finished the rug by whipping the edges with slate wool yarn over cording. I think my biggest takeaway from this rug was how to create a more realistic look with the fibers I choose. I learned not to settle. If I wasn’t happy with an area, I ripped it out. The joy of rug hooking!
Alice Bespolko
HAMILTON, ONTARIO
Alice has been rug hooking for about seven years but has worked with many fiber arts since childhood. She has a graphic arts and photography background, so most of her designs come from her own photographs.